Another international rugby league tragedy

Really the problem is worldwide and it's because of too much self interest, the NRL and English Super League care only about themselves. The NRL completely snubbed the Russians a few years back, refusing to send a team there to help the Russians promote their game. New Zealand hasn't helped either, snatching players for their national team from the Island nations like Samoa and Tonga at the expense of local talent, and the NRL do the same thing. I know the influence of Australia and NZ in the Pacific is all encompaasing for pure reason of SIZE. We need an overhaul internationally, the State of Origin concept must be expanded to ALL Nations (except for smaller nations like the USA, and only for those Aussies, Fijians etc who are NOT wanted or good enough, but they must at least be based in the country they represent ), Imagine a future where a miraculous win or performance in the world cup by the USA someday, imagine the sudden interest and pride Americans would have in Rugby League, and the money poured in, similar to the USA womens soccer world cup win a few years back. In my opinion, Australia must do everything possible to make this happen. Australia has always had the ability to field 3 or 4 world class teams at any given time and that won't change but Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, PNG are just sitting there waiting for a fair go and are future powerhouses, I believe the USA and Canada will become stronger over time, it will happen, but Aust and England MUST clean up their act and fix this, I love the NRL competition but don't think much of the executives who really just want the money. Maybe we need someone guaranteed to overhaul the game and be strong enough to resist the greedy, someone like John Howard would be perfect, after all cricket snubbed his attempts there so he is available.

Thanks for the update. It is a pity when such things happen. It inly weakens the whole game. Surely the International boys could step in and bang some heads together.

bbt, from last readings, it still seems only the AMNRL players who are eligible.. Because they are the ones recognized by the RLIF. Dont know why the USARL are crying foul. They should have known that if they broke away they wouldnt be eligible for selection.

Has there been any developments on the USARL vs AMNRL fiasco? Is the national USA team still only picked from AMNRL players? If this is still the case, it must be sorted out.

See good buildup on local Hawaiin TV news for this weekend's USA v Tonga http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/18064470/us-national-rugby-team Some old cliches -voilent game, calling it 'rugby' 'game goes for 90 minutes (well must include HT perhaps) but still good exposure!! Go rugby league in the USA. Also, good to see the guys involved with Grand Prix Rugby Union want to be involved with league-State of Origin in LA, World Club challenge etc. Just need the two bodies in the USA to unite!!

Cracka, I dont agree with your analogy between Super League/World series Cricket, and the split of the USA rugby league. You failed to look at the underlying reasons for the split. In your examples, the split occured because media barons financially encouraged splinter competitions to control the games in order to bolster their TV content and ultimately bottom line. There is no money or TV rights in the USA rugby league. The schism in the USA arose because it was alleged under the old AMNRL regime there was no transperancy, due democratic process within the AMNRL board, and clubs were not allowed a voice. The fact that the AMNRL is recognised by the RLIF seems to be by default, as it was the original US governing rugby league body, and they are maintaining the status quo. I have formed an opinion as to who I think is right, but thats meaningless in this forum. My concerns lay in having a US governing body that has the growth and development of rugby league at heart. That good people are not lost to the game in the USA, as most clubs over there are run by volunteers. And that the people who govern the game should be transparent, accountable, duly elected, and the best people to propagate the game, theres no room for self interests. Where I do agree with you, is that the RLIF needs to sort it out. They have been deafening in their silence, it seems people on the RLIF board enjoy the status, recognition and junkets, but take no responsibilty in adhereing and enforcing their charter to govern the international game.

There appears to be a serious spelling mistake in the article. "...AMNRL boss David Niu runs both." should read '...AMNRL boss David Niu ruins both.' [Ed. note: Humour always appreciated!]

I think you're pretty far off on the Soccer line there.

The RLIF needs to be asking itself "Is having two competitions, one recognised, one unrecognised, the best thing for Rugby League in the USA?" If they can't answer yes to that - which I don't see how you can - then it needs to be resolved. I have no problems with their being two leagues - the competition between the two will help speed up the efforts of both to grow the game. The idea though that a good majority of players will be automatically overlooked for national representation - if those players are disenchanted with the AMNRL and become disenchanged with lack of international opportunity, it may make them disenchanted altogether and give up the game. So recognise both organisation and work out a system for Tomahawks selection - if an independent arbiter appointed by RLIF needs to be brought in, then do it.

I'm excited about seeing the tomahawks play in the world cup and excited to see how the game will grow in the states. I remember a few years back when they put a barrage of points on against the kangaroos in the first half, only to lose by a respectable margin in the second. But it was the style of play that was the best. it was rapid fire and had a lot of discipline. More experience was the missing ingredient. I think if League wants to spread its wings overseas then america should be the #1 focus, not PNG or Island nations. It will never compete with the NFL, MLB or NBA, but in a country like the US, even a niche sport can attract the big bucks and they pull no punches when developing their young athletes, no matter what the sport. The speed and physicallity of the game is also appealing to a TV audience which the US knows how to capitalise on better than anyone. They just need a good business mind to get kids excited about playing the game and for sports fans to pick it up as a spectator sport, even if it is their second sport. with the right promotion the US could be very competitive. Maybe not this year or next, but Rome wasn't built in a day.

I read a few forums and the constant beat up by the USA rebels is tiresome. The rebels broke away from the governing body knowing that their players would be ineligible for the Tomahawks ( sound like World Series Cricket or Super League) and now that arent picked cry foul. Did the ACB pick the rebels , did the ARL?? Mere opinion like this is irrelevant anyway some one needs to find a solution.

So far the USA have got as far as they have just on local players, there are few players in Australia with American heritage that would be eligible come WC time.

Renegade, what he is saying is true. The 2 leagues are poles apart in regards to professionalism with the USARL running a league that is transparent and proficient where the AMNRL seems to be all about smoke and mirrors with the attention on the national side rather than developing at grassroots level. David Nui has done a great job in establishing the game in the US but I think the game has now outgrown his capabilities and it is time he puts his self-image aside for the betterment of the game. In his reign we have not seen one ounce of development at grassroots level which is needed to sustain longevity for the game in the US. But even in its infancy we see the USARL cultivate a youth program in Rhode Island and now in Philly with programs earmarked for all over the US. I can also say that I am in no way affilliated with either camp.

If what your saying is true, then that is quite sad....The RLIF should step in, get rid of Niu and let the guys who are developing the grassroots take over. There is absolutely nothing good about having two comps and not allowing players from one of those comps represent their country - Nothing good about that at all.

Wont the Tomahawks have some Aussie topups?? ie US born Aussie League players

Sammy whats your point. In every WC most of the teams would get flogged by club teams. In Soccor most english 2nd division teams would beat most countries. In Cricket the QLD Bulls would beat all the cricket minnows and and any NZ ITM cup side would beat most rugby nations.

Sammy that is very debateable and Irrevelant as the Tommahawks wont be playing Wentworthville. They will be playing the Cook Islands, Wales and Tonga. Nobody is expecting huge things from the USA so there is nothing for them to lose but plenty to gain. This is a big oppurtunity for the game to carve a nieche in the US sporting market. The best way for this to happen is for the Tommahawks to be competitive and win some games. For this happen they need access to every player possible.

The AMNRL are run by David Niu as a personal play-thing. Every year since the organisation was formed there have been a string of announcements about expansion, grand plans for a televised professional league and junior development - absolutely none of which have come true. In the first few years of the league's existence there were between 3-5 clubs, some of which never played more than a single game, before changing their names, relocating or folding. Hawaii, Arizona and Utah are mentioned as new hotbeds of the game every single year, with developments to be led by Loren Brousard, a bloke who may have his heart in the right place, but who has never done anything. Yet Niu keeps spitting out these ridiculous annual press releases, which the RLIF keep falling for, thinking something is happening. Full credit to Niu, he did develop a small domestic league, which is hard work, but that he continually overstates what he has achieved is a detriment to his credability. So now, finally, a number of clubs have grown fed up and in a single year they have formed a stable league, instigated junior development programs and also introduced the first ever American feeder league, yet these guys are being made out to be villains by a bloke because his feathers are ruffled because they didn't want to be dictated to anymore. A real shame. The RLIF has never had any credibility and that they are ignoring this situation is going to ensure that situation is kept in check and that the US will continue to be seen as a failed venture, where it can so easily be rectified with a little guidance.

Good article and good point. It is fantastic that the Tommahawks have qualified for the world cup for the first time. This could be the start of big things. Great effort to beat Jamaica, Canada and Sth Africa to qualify however to compete with the bigger teams they are going to need every advantage they can get and you are right surely it means they must have access to every player playing in the USA.

"The American National Rugby League (AMNRL) has decided to disallow players from the USA Rugby League (USARL) competition from playing in the 2013 World Cup." Denying rugby league players the opportunity to represent their country, just because they play in a different competition in the same country at club level is wrong on so many levels. The RLIF should step in and put an end to this sick joke.