It’s fast becoming an embarrassment for the 13-man code.
The sticking point? The make-up of the eight-man Commission. Three contenders doesn’t go equally into eight.
Territorial power-play.
It’s generally accepted current NRL CEO David Gallop will be the Commission’s CEO. And so he should, he’s the best man by far. So it’s up to the NSWRL, QRL, News Limited, and the 16 NRL club chairmen to solve the eight-man impasse.
The Commission was scheduled to be operative late last year, then April, and here it is late May and the final decision is still a binocular distance away.
Meanwhile, rugby is going ahead in leaps and bounds, leading into the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand during September and October – with a level of international competition league can never ever aspire to and the RWC being the third biggest sporting event in the world every four years behind the summer Olympic Games and the Soccer World Cup.
And while league dithers, rugby is shoring up its stars.
Yesterday, quicksilver Queenslander Quade Cooper re-signed with both the ARU and his state until the end of 2012.
Just a year?
The reason is quite obvious. He wants to team up with his good mate Sonny Bill Williams in 2013 to play league for the New Zealand Warriors.
They would make a devastating combination with their attacking flair, lifting the New Zealand Test side many rungs up the performance ladder, with Benji Marshall operating inside them.
But the extra year with the ARU also gives Cooper breathing space to see what happens with the Independent Commission that’s supposedly to be in place to settle the new television rights due later his year, which “promises” to raise the salary cap.
If the Commission stuffs up, Cooper is perfectly positioned sitting on the fence to stay with rugby and settle for the big bucks overseas or stick to his preference and switch to league with Sonny Bill.
League’s in a mess, but rugby’s laughing.
Cooper’s the 19th Wallaby to re-sign with the ARU to continue after the World Cup:
* Reds – James Horwill, Ben Daley, and Cooper.
* Waratahs – Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Rob Horne, Drew Mitchell, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, and Lachie Turner.
* Force – Pek Cowan, Matt Hodgson, Ben McCalman, David Pocock, and Nathan Sharpe.
* Brumbies – Ben Alexander, and Stephen Moore.
* And Rebels – Kurtley Beale.
With Matt Giteau heading for Toulon, and Mark Chisholm for Bayonne, that only leaves Rocky Elsom and James O’Connor, of the elite Wallabies, uncommitted.
Elsom looks likely to return to Leinster, where he has already made his mark as the strike-player to win the 2009 Heineken Cup, while the Force’s O’Connor is almost certain to sign with the Reds, his home state, now that Quade Cooper has re-signed.
Across the board, a bright future awaits the Wallabies. And so it should, there’s a lot of unfinished business.
The men in gold haven’t won the RWC since 1999, the Tri-Nations since 2001, nor the Bledisloe since 2002.
It’s high time the Wallabies stood up to be counted, and overtime for rugby league to gets its house in order.
kovana
Guest
"And we all know about govts not wanting to finance or recognise rl in the past." Yep.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
WCR Look I actually watch RWC games ,not all but some.I understand the length of time and the number of games and locations for each group.The final is always the one that attracts the actual number of viewers,not the early ones nor the semis.I admire the fact union has such a big event,and can get big crowds and make big profits.I hope the next RLWC can be a fraction as big,and it would be a success. And therefore, yes there were large numbers watching and yes the marketeers stated there was a reach of 4billion.But none except a few administrators and pollies came up with the actual 4billion viewing. Mate I am only repeating what was written in a story in a NZ paper,by a ru man. Stu Wilson from memory. The sole purpose of mentioning SOO,was to suggest that the potential was 20 million ,but the actual was approx 5million over 3 games,in 5-6 weeks.If Gallop had stated 20 miilion had watched it or 60 million over the 3 games,he would be lynched by the critics. Call me pedantic,but JON has been prone to exaggerate and has been plain incorrect , in the past.He should not be above criticism.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
CC But here's where you seem to be completely ignoring the point. Events like the RWC, Soccer WC and such are 2-6 weeks in their entirety. How many regular events run in Australia over that time. It could be argued that SOO does have a minimum 60 million person reach and therefore can establish that as a minimum cumulative audience. It's hard to prove as I'm not sure if the market research on this has been done.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
They hosted the High School and U19s Chmapionship games among with the CPD final.
Rugby Diehard
Guest
CC - Just watched the highlights package from the latest Jamaican league game. Was that a real mobile phone the "cameraman" was using for his coverage. Seriously I am impressed with the Jamaican League, that is a phenomenal effort and I now see why you are so excited about the growth of League and the oncoming semi-pro team. By the way I grew up playing RL in country Qld so I am no League basher, and still watch a game every week or so but come one - are you serious about being impressed by Jamaican RL after watching that game. Seriously I guess no one checks the links people post, cos if you think that one is seriously backing up your argument that is hilarious. I guess I'll just plug away at 40KPH at least I will be lapping you and the Jamaican RL.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I take it you mean rugby league Kovana ,SOO was used as an example.Nothing more. League is a collection of sporting clubs in a competition.On that basis league can be used for every sport.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
kovana Keep up to speed ,never mentioned Vichy.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
WCR Never mentioned Vichy. Agree the code has a lot of work to do.It thrives on hard work.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Will do,and also keep it in mind for major sporting events in Oz,with 20 miilion plus viewers.
p.Tah
Guest
... A more informative link http://www.rugbymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=941:highland-sends-gelwix-off-in-style&catid=65:boys&Itemid=240
p.Tah
Guest
They also played the high school national champs before hand, it hardly added to the spectator numbers but clever idea to make it a championship weekend. http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/51859968-77/gelwix-highland-larry-rugby.html.csp
kovana
Guest
Here at the USA Rugby Site. http://www.usarugby.org/#cc%3D[Application]\\Structure\\Content\\Brand%20Resource%20Center\\Content\\Home\\23181D59-12DB-9878-88FD-03AB48491E70{{Tab%3AView}}
Working Class Rugger
Guest
You said you had photos from the CPD final. Link please.
kovana
Guest
"The old Vichy chestnut. Rugby fans could whinge about how Hitler swashed Rugby in Germany (it was a competitive nation back then) but we don’t. History is history, learn from don’t dwell on it." Spot on WCR. Always trying to find excuses.
kovana
Guest
I will break down your comments using your logic. "Union is losing ground to League fast, Internationally." League is already bigger then Rugby internationally. "League is the 2nd fastest growing game in the UK, 3rd fastest in america and fastest in Australia. Jamacia, Lebanon, Russia, France, Ireland, New Zealand, PNG, Italy and a host of other nations are doing great things with league." In all those nations you mentioned.. League is already much more popular then Rugby. "It’s seen as a rich kids games with a very snotty, superiority image.. RL is seen more as a working class game, with the image that unlike RU" How very true.. As someone said.. Rugby fans dont mix with those people who clean the pool, mow the lawn and clean the Garden... They dont mingle with the 'help'.
Tigger Madness
Guest
As I diehard league fan, I also thoughoughly enjoy watching the sevens. The 15 a side game, not so much
kovana
Guest
"12,000 have turned up to Rio Tinto Stadium in Salt Lake " Thats great news.. The CPD has been progressing good....Also some great pics of the final.
kovana
Guest
"Apart from that get over it." Agreed.
kovana
Guest
Not one mention of League in WCRs post CC.
kovana
Guest
I know.. :lol: Oh well.. Lets hope the 40K+ at Suncorp make up for that blight. Also... That Tahs game was good.. It was actually the most Vocal Crowd i have heard at the SFS for a while... must be the echos.