The City vs Country game for the last few years has become somewhat by-passed by being on the same night as the Anzac test, once again showing how the NRL is at the beck and call of Channel Nine.
But Friday night’s game in front of a crowd of just under 8000, which is full capacity, was an example of how the game can work. Seeing young stars like Josh Dugan, Lachlan Coote and even Kris Keating showcase their skills was a treat for the fans of the bush and the people watching at home.
Country Rugby League is the backbone of the game, both in New South Wales and Queensland, and we need to keep this concept alive to show the people of the bush what their hard work does, otherwise we wouldn’t have seen the players on the weekend wear that jumper with pride.
The game needs to be on its own, perhaps a Thursday or Saturday night, the game needs a proper representative weekend.
How about having Friday night NSW City v Country, Saturday night QLD City v Origin, then Sunday night the Anzac Test?
Also, you could have Tonga taking on Samoa and PNG battling Fiji, as this would also stop complaining from coaches about back ups for players, etc.
We simply cannot shaft a great historic part of the game and remember too that there is really only a couple of guarantees for the Blues this season, and one of them it is a true blue selection trial.
M1tch
Guest
For me it comes down to I want as much rep footy as I can, and the game needs the pac islands to play alot more than they currently do. In the long run it will hopefully keep young tongan or somoan players wanting to play for their country and not want to play Origin, no doubt the game as Origin as the top pinnicle and international footy is now a poor 2nd
sheek
Guest
In days of yore, the authorities seemed to have a better practical appreciation of the selection progression. City vs Country 1sts & 2nds were played on the Easter weekend, or thereabouts, followed by the selection of the NSW team to play Qld. The test matches followed after this. I can't recall if City vs Country was stand alone. At some time I think they were. Logical, practical common sense.....
hutch
Guest
i think playing the games in the actual countries that you mentioned would do more to spread the rugby league gospel than playing all games in australia. i understand money comes into consideration but the international game would benefit more by having home and away test matches in the island countries themselves.
Brett McKay
Guest
Oikee, if by "10 test matches this year in OZ" you actually mean 7, then yes, you're right. The Wallabies play 10 Tests in June and in the TNs in total, but not 10 in Australia... As for more Tests between the PIs, then I'm all for it. But I'm not the first person to question to worth of the mid-year Aus-NZ Test either. And while ever NZ refuse to play it after Origin (for which I don't blame them), it's relevance as a one-off contest will continue to be questioned...
oikee
Guest
Scrap the test matches? mate, rugby union is playing 10 test matches this year in OZ. 10, yes thats right 10 test matches. Mate, after 10 test matches, our players would be spent, gone, nothing left but the butter chicken. More tests, Tonga, PNG, Samoa, Fiji, lets rack up some good footy. I would be quite happy to attend a double header between Cook islands, Fiji, Tonga Samoa, PNG at suncorp. Well worth the admission to see some of these players progress. This is what is lacking with rugby league, not enough of the other island nations games. P.S, just to mention again, Suncorp 4 nations final tickets on sale, they are selling fast so dont miss-out. I mentioned the other day, we have 2 weekends where all teams have a bye. Instead of this just have the bye all on the one week-end. Play the Anzac test on Friday nite, city,country saturday nite, Tonga Fiji Samoa PNG Cook isalnds, (highest ranked) double headed on a sunday at Townsville or Suncorp. We need a thinking man to sort this out. Its possible, but nobody wants to do anything about it, we pay our leaders for taking us no-where. Sack the dinosaurs.
King of the Gorganites
Guest
Mitch i disagree with your idea about playing the island nations against each other. you propose 6 rep teams play over the wekend. so about 150 players all up? a lot of the samonas, tongans etc will be part of these teams. therefore a lot of each nations top line players will be out of action. this would not give a true reflection on a country's progress, nor will it be the best possible quality of game. another idea is for those nations to play, but they be made up of only locally based players. there the teams would be "invitational" or a "Barbarian" team. Im not sure how willing (or capable) the IRLF would be to fund this.
Brett McKay
Guest
Terry, in my article on this topic (written this time last year), I also scrapped the mid-year Test. I also shortened the NRL comp to 22 rounds, played SOO on Sunday nights on stand-alone weekends, with a City-Country series on the Friday night before hand. It actually shortened the season by a week, and was easily adaptable for 18 NRL teams as well...
Terry
Guest
Why do we have an international rep game at all, honestly it like winning a chook raffle, or about as exciting as one. Or just haev the 4 nations every 4 years Bring on 5 origins its a great money maker.
M1tch
Roar Guru
I wrote that before the Sunday Roast and lived Vossy's idea too, Rep games on stand alone occasion will help the international game, as the ratings show people love their internationals and its no secret with NZ doing better it helps raise interest
Paul J
Guest
I like it Mitch. The test TV ratings should make the NRL/ Channel 9 re think rep footy. I like Vossy's idea on the Sunday Roast. Play City/Country on a Wednesday night, (to help pick a NSW team). Play 3 origins on Wednesday nights (to help pick a Kangaroo team). Play 2 tests against NZ on Wednesday nights (2 tests like the Bledisloe). After the GF you can have your 4 nations.
keeper11
Guest
dozens of rep players having to backup for club matches only 24hrs after these supposedly important representative games is a joke.. shows the games hierarchy and media partners don't value Test matches and city/country and just see them as second rate TV fodder .....
Fivehole
Guest
I've seen Brett's article on this before and totally agree. I like the addition of the Pacific Island nation matches - Be great as the 9:30 match on the Friday night, and Fox can have the other one for Saturday.
Brett McKay
Guest
Mitch, I'm sure I've posted links to a previous article of mine on this very subject for you before, and this idea of yours is just as good. The other big advantage of course would be the removal of the split round, and the need for players to back up 24 hours later..