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I have had to wait five instead of four years, needed to upgrade my aerial to make sure the high definition channels would not drop out, and even to tell people who normally love rugby league there are still games going on.
But I can say, without any hesitation, I am loving the World Cup.
1. All footy, all the time
First and foremost it’s a lot of sport.
It’s the same reason I love the early stages of football and union World Cups or the Olympics – I get daily sport.
At the moment I can watch the first hour of a game almost every morning before I go to work, and then try to avoid the final results until I can catch the end of the game when I get home.
Then I get to read the reactions on The Roar, check the tables to try and see who will progress and generally enjoy a sporting festival.
2. Entertaining games
I am thinking of Cook Islands v Tonga or Scotland V Italy. Close games in full houses where I didn’t see any of the crowd leaving early.
And since they are all the underdog, I am more invested and enjoying it more than I have most of the free-to-air NRL games.
The entertainment will probably dry up in the quarters – I can’t see the USA repeating their 2004 performance and lead the Kangaroos – but the finals should be exciting.
3. Coverage of minnows
We are seeing all the teams – Channel Seven doesn’t just have good coverage of the Cup, they are covering it all.
If I wanted to see Cook Islands, or other Polynesian and Asian teams play, I could go to the NSWRL International 9s, without professional stars and no replays, or hope for Youtube.
After live streaming the North America qualifiers last year I learnt how frustrating this could be if your connection is slow.
This week I could see teams like America and Fiji covered from several angles with expert commentary.
4. It’s no longer bad for your career to play for your country
20 years ago, not playing rugby league for a big three team was pretty much career suicide.
Ok, A slight exaggeration, but why risk the extra money and prestige of playing for a minnow when you could go a year without a Test?
This World Cup though, some players are turning down spots in Australia/New Zealand/England to play for the country of their birth or culture.
Konrad Hurrell is a case in point. As Test rugby becomes more widespread, players who could earn more may follow their heart over career more often.
5. It’s good for the game
Rugby league making newspaper headlines in Italy and the USA, full houses in the English heartland, experience and exposure for minnows.
Rugby league, the once forbidden game, is strengthening its bases and moving outward, and if you love, or even like the game, how can that be a bad thing?
I expect only Australia, New Zealand or England to contest the final.
I expect not to hear anything about European, American, or Polynesian football for another four years in the Australian rugby league (or NRL-only) press.
I expect there will only be four countries in which you can professionally play league for a few years to come.
But if any of that is to change, the RLWC needs to exist, and while it does I will be watching.
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