Poland: Rugby league's newest powerhouse

Lighten up robbo, any exposure is good for the game, maybe you could show us all how it should be written, if you have the time that is

The defensive post was designed to counter your predictable anti rl rants,many of which have little foundation and indeed contribute nothing of substance.The very thought of rl doing something internationally,appears to upset your gastric juices.

This defensive post proves Andy_Roos point.

I do know rugby league only started up in the British Armed Services in 1994,after having been given approval as it was banned before that. We wont mention the code, who had influence in having it banned prior.Let's just say the ämateur" aspect, had a lot to do with it. The code is now one of the fastest growing sports in the British armed services.

Pity that no one can beat number 1!

Good to see you had to get the Boot Throwing bit in ,dont hold back with you anti rugby league rant. The profit came from ticket sales and Tv rights Clipper.This silly world cup actually arrive on the scene before the union one. The silly world cup actually made a guest appearance in the British Parliament,with the govt and councils providing financial support.The silly world cup sold 50,000 tickets on the first day.You have no idea,but if it gets your rocks off ,so be it.I believe the organisers are happy with the situation to date.Will keep you posted,as you obviously are looking for negatives. BTW champ,I suggest you read that journo Stephen Jones piece in today's Australian about his belove rugby,it makes sobering reading.It may churn your stomach a little. The thread is about Poland and we can argue about a one club situation realistically.so your shot at the RLWC was as usual out of left field,and should be treated with the contempt it deserves.

Good point Andy_Roo - it would be good to test out that theory one day. Amusing article - it all sounds like a bit of fun and a good excuse for a booze up weekend for a few brits. By any token with the Poles, it's a day of drinking punctuated by a bit of sport - just look at the boot throwing world cup - made a huge profit, but I doubt that came from the sporting side!

Seem like some university and armed forces teams in NZ, England and Australia were playing rugby league before 1996.

:) 25th in the world, Poland, !!!! shut the gate.

So because I don't agree with your ridiculing an effort of starting RL in Poland in your article, I don't have a sense of humour? Is it because you have written this article in a humourous way I and a lot of others are supposed to find it absolutley hilarious and entertaining and if we don't then we are killjoys and, spoilsports? I rarely comment on this website and I don't look at the game of Rugby League with rose-coloured glasses and get into slanging matches about how good our International game is developing. I work in RL develoment for an NRL club and know how hard these guys work in order to get the game started from an embrionic stage in nations like Poland and I'm sure these hard-working individuals would be pretty upset to find their efforts material for satirical critique. You claim to love the game of RL so you should know what our game is up against in these nations and what impediments are in front of them. Mocking them for a cheap laugh is easy, supporting them shows a bit more character. I may be a bit defensive but I and others in the RL Fraternity know how much it takes to get these teams off the ground and hats off to them for their fortitude and resilience.

No he will be quite happy to play alongside his Polynesian brothers at the Eels. Notice the offsiders this morning brushed theFolau opt out,with the speed of politicians deflection.Nearly fainted when good ole Caro Wilson stated it was a ,wait for it"failure". Let's face it Skoda is an East European car, and I am sure Mr Sheedy ,will find an outstanding athlete there, who will become the Euro Folau at GWS.

Andy .When your code secures Govt grants from European countries,Eurozone grants,recognition in the British parliament,then perhaps you can raise the flag with some sort of satisfaction. There is a RLWC in 2013 in the UK and France ,which has British govt backing,local council backing,with 50,000 tickets sold on the first day.Yes small by soccer and union standards,but to compare with the AFL in Europe,particularly the only real international ,rules have to be changed and balls,so as to get any legitimacy makes comparisons ridiculous.

OK melead, to please the masses I am expected to agree with cynical viewpoints held.. I wont, because I have some idea of what goes on overseas,what the RLEF and its volunteers and employees are doing. And the recognition by the Eurozone Community,who have helped with some funding. The intnl development is therefore, on a different scale to the AFL.Govt recogntion and grants from some of them can be added to the equation. I have stated Poland is a mere start up and should be treated as such.Many of the others are not,which appears to escape the usual league knockers,who like to seize the moment,should it arise.

Perhaps Israel Floau could be persuaded to join the Polish Magpies. Surely he would be a drawcard and raise the profile and awareness of the game in a developing market. Salary cap might be an issue though.

I'm sure MG will claim to have memories of the Mediterranean beach at Katowice.

I think you're mistaking him with Jamal Idris.

You're obviously the Jaques Tati of print.

Leasst the guys in Poland (and elsewhere) are trying to do something positive and develop Rugby League. The author of this article doesnt have the balls or the intelligence to do something like that. He would rather sit behind a computer and trash and mock people who have got off their backsides and done something with their lives. Serbia, Norway, Italy, Jamaica, Lebanon and Czech Republic were in a similar state to Poland in the recent past yet all have worked hard and managed to get domestic leagues up and running alongside a youth league etc. Serbs, Italians and Lebanese Natives have come out of the nations to play semi pro in France and the UK-thats a bit more than a hobby. Going into Schools and working with towns, Governments and the EU is certainly way more than just doing things as a hobby. How the hell does some Aussie who probably has never even been to Eastern Europe let alone Poland know whats going on Rugby League wise? Oh he reads somthing and then thinks he knows everything. It would help if you contacted the Poles and got a proper story with some facts. Rugby League suffered decades of animosity from Rugby Union people which saw the game banned in the Armed Forces and Universities in many lands and up to 1996 saw people banned from Union even if they trained with a League side. So League is having to start from scratch and doing OK. Why people feel the need to mock and think they are being funny with such poor researched articles I dont know. Suppose it helps them feel better. The article didnt need to be written as there are enough League and sports stories out their if you bother looking that are far more worthy on reporting about

I can see two bovious things from this article. 1. Those who follow AFL will have a good laugh and hold Rugby League's international expansion attempts up to further ridicule at every opportunity. 2. Those who follow rugby league and will get very defensive and try to defend their code expansion attempts, labelling this article as drivel and not funny at all. Curiously I'm sure the roles are exactly reversed when the discussion turns to AFL and it's attempts at international expansion.

I agree with CC. I am getting pretty tired of these nonsense rubbish stories taking the piss out of league. Particularly by someone who professes to love the code. Maybe if MGB loves the code so much it would be in everyone's interest if you keep your comments to yourself.