The time has come. Ever since I’ve been watching rugby league, efforts have been made to broaden the game’s international horizons.
Events like the World Cup, the World Sevens and Super League’s superb World Club Challenge (featuring global juggernauts like Paris St Germain) have provided the fans with a truly international flavour.
In recent years we’ve seen the emergence of international powerhouses like Lebanon, the USA ‘Tomahawks’ (an appropriate name given the team was practically flooded with Native American players) and Russia.
This all points to the Greatest Game of All now being ready to compete in the Greatest Games Of All, the Olympics.
I can see it now, through misty eyes: Papua New Guinea finally winning its first Olympic medal by upsetting Wales for the Bronze.
Australia would be placed in the toughest Pool, having to confront the ‘Rhinos’ from South Africa (there are actually more rhinoscerai in South Africa than league players, but let’s not get bogged down in the details), Scotland and Japan.
The Japanese team would benefit from rules based on heredity: in this case any Australian player who has ever driven a Honda qualifies to play for the Rising Suns (I just invented that team name).
England would be thrown in with the USA, of course. Those two countries can finally settle that whole rebel league issue that came up a little while back, when the teams from the US colonies wanted to form their own breakaway competition in the late 1700s. Should be plenty of biff and the odd tackle made.
Then we have the Kiwis, of course. By this time, thanks to Origin’s wonderful eligibility rules, they’ll have been reduced to giving the captaincy to Ben Roberts and using full-blown Australian players overlooked by their national team, like James Tamou and Feleti Mateo.
Good luck teaching those yobbos the haka. They’ll be in another competitive group, featuring Moldova, Italy and the resurgent Frenchmen.
Finally, it’ll be time to introduce some new teams to continue league’s viral spread of influence across the world.
I like the look of the Kenyans. Plenty of durability over 80 minutes, which means no chance their big men (the ones standing over six feet weighing more than 80 kilos) will be carved up late in the game.
I think a few of the Romanian gymnasts could be aggressive dummy halves and scheming halfbacks. Their square jawlines, hairy chests and massive arms will put the fear of god into the opposition.
I suppose we could also take a look at some of that nation’s male gymnasts as well.
Finally, I think the time has come for China to step up. Super League was supposed to open up new markets but that never quite took off, which was a tragedy. Can you imagine Yao Ming, playing for the Beijing Crushers (South Queensland would have relocated) being tackled head high by Allan Langer? Spectacular.
That country is a vast, untapped resource and it’s time we sent some emissaries to get it going over there. I vote for Michael Ennis, Wade Graham and Steve Matai. They are kind, gentle souls who know how to get along with people.
It’s time for soccer to politely step out of the way. League, finally, is about to become the new World Game. Bless you John Ribot.
Dave
Guest
Looks like League will be in the Commonwealth game http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/nines-tournament-may-kickoff-2014-season-20120815-2487g.html
kovana
Guest
Ok, so if that is the case CC, how exactly is Rugby in Fiji suffering at Grassroots?
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
It is not the first time deals have fallen through in sport,though not commonplace.If league is supposedly being destroyed in the grassroots numbers,school numbers would be dropping.They are plainly not doing so.Tv numbers are maintaining high levels. Are some ESL clubs facing difficulty ,Yep,not the first time. Will the code get a new backer,I believe so. How about the simple fact,the country is in recession playing some part.Or to put it coloquially the country is stuffed,and the OPs were the only saving grace. Banks that rig interest rates,banks that deal with Iran despite embargos,newspapers that listen in,financial cut backs. It was not that long ago in this country ch10 went broke,and their contract with rugby league was affected badly.
jus de couchon
Guest
As a now London Broncos spectator I despare at the Incompetence of Super Leagues admin. If a sport could destroy itself I cant think of any that could compare to Leagues self destruction.
jus de couchon
Guest
Here in Britain the RFL gave the naming rights for Super league to Eddie Stobbard and in return Eddie painted Super League promos on the side of [some] their Trucks. After a year the deal has now been abandoned. These are the people that are destroying League in this Country.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The people support the game,not individuals in rugby league,whether it be the UK or Australia.Not everyone is enamoured with admin in many codes.Try again jus.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
As we are discussing Fijian admin and the IRB,one would have thought the answer obvious.Rugby union.Gee its's not hard kovana.
jus de couchon
Guest
Cant think why anyone who likes Rugby League would support the people who run the game[Eddie Stobbard].
Tom
Guest
you mean 2 that play and 27 that just make up the numbers?
kovana
Guest
CC, I am referring to which grassroots are you referring to! League or Rugby in Fiji? My goodness, it isnt a difficult question.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I have one word to respond jus de couchon re your ' failure to expand comment":nonsense" Since SL/2000 Serbia,Ukraine,Norway,Lebanon,Malta,Canada,Jamaica,USA,growth in France,Wales and Scotland and England. Serbia,Ukraine and lebanon all with official govt recognition and backing. So the RLEF is incompetent is it? Do a bit of research . "Dragged down the alleyway LOL 'with the code about to receive its biggest ever TV deal.It was dragged down the alleyway in 41 ,but keep it hush.. Just a couple of snippets to bring a touch of reality to the scene. http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/nines-tournament-may-kickoff-2014-season-20120815-2487g.html http://www.rlef.eu.com/news/article/508/english-midlands-youth-set-for http://www.walesrugbyleague.co.uk/article/7592/rl-leads-way-for-school The code achieved cat 3 sport 1st rung for the commonwealth Games No asistance required from the IRB.Perhaps the same venerable organisation could try to get more than 8 playing countries to watch on TV their WC in decent numbers,when much larger numbers of countries play the sport.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I get one thing Chris,two rugby codes going their own way.I don't have a problem with that,neither do the overwhelming majority of fans from either rugby code.Both growing in their own right. And having a cashed up ARLC only gives me more confidence in the " product"
jus de couchon
Guest
League has failed to expand Internationaly, Fact. What would it loose by becoming a partner of the IRB? It would lose the Incompetent management it has now for a start. Like rugby 7s it could remain the same sport it is now. Youd have to get rid of a lot of predjudice for it to happen and dare I say the self Interest of some of Leagues money men who are dragging their sport down a one way alley. Any Idea that Union could or would even want to conquer League is ludicrous.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
If you don't know the meaning of grassroots sport kovana after all these yearsI am sorry I can't help you. Spelling it out one more time.If the head body is corrupt,there is less money available for juniors/grassroots/kids.Corruption means using money for self indulgence and not for the purpose intended.
chris
Guest
Crosscoder I remember when the IRB tried out the ELV's rule and thinking this a start of some good for both codes but then some fat ex forward's in the RFU more then likely got the block on it. A like MMA as it takes away all the bull-shit we had with Martial Arts in the 1970's/80's where fan's would say Wing Chun Kung Fu can beat Ninjitsu etc. I wish the old USSR Boxer's and the Cuban defection's had happend in the 1970's. Get what Iam saying.
kovana
Guest
CC.. then can you please explain this statement by you: "And why should grassroots suffer,in the meantime?" Which grassroots are you referring to please?
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
chris.The trouble with your view,it is the exception not the rule,as the majority (in fact the overwhelming majority of fans and indeed all officials of rl) are more than happy with rugby league ,else they would be trotting over to ru en masse. Have 13 men ,no lineouts,and cut the technicalities,and you may get some swaying.I switched to rl,because of the openness of the game and less technicalities.I'll watch the occasional test with ABs. Benji/Billy/and Benny Barba have room to move in their current game,I do not believe they would be afforded such luxury in ru. Gee some of the ru club crowds are nothing to write home about in the UK,as to having a shot at some of the NRL ones.The Tahs and Force have hardly been setting the world on fire for crowds.Some English ru clubs are losing money,its hardly the money pit every one makes out. Have a look at the Tv ratings in both the UK and in this country for rugby league to see whether there is an appetite for only one code,the answer is pretty obvious. Gee even in countries where ru dominates,there are numbers of kids wanting to give rl a go(Wales for example),and indeed France. The same club coaches in the NRL that are arranging pre season games in the US,and against PNG in Sydney.Coaches and some fans have been complaining for years about SOO interfering with the NRL clubs,yet they are quite happy to enjoy the largesse the TV stations, provide for a wednesday night game.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Did not suggest otherwise Leo.The earlier inference was that it was only rl people. I do not remember Gallop suggesting such,but sure as hell remember JON doing so.Says more about Gallop IMO.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
It is simply a case of a heady body getting involved early,nothing more nothing less. If a sporting system is corrupt,grassroots I suggest would be affected in some way. IOW more money would have been available. I don't remember anywhere suggesting grassroots ru was not growing or strong in Fiji.Some people tend to put their own interpretations on my posts at times. I do know rl is growing exceptionally in Fiji of late,since vsitiing the country in 96,to the extent now they are running out of grounds on which to play.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Good for them Emric,which proves my point,money dont necessarily buy you love.As both ru and rl have shown.