With the rugby league Four Nations tournament boasting impressive crowds and ratings, the interest in the event has proven that there is an increasing appetite for international rugby league.
Recently on The Roar, attention has turned to how we may improve the international schedule, as well as the competitiveness and reach of the international game.
Yesterday, fellow Roarer code 13 argued in favour of a Bledisloe Cup-style three game series between Australia and New Zealand to take place every four years.
While this plan certainly has a lot of merit, I propose that an expanded Four Nations tournament, or perhaps even a Six Nations, might be the way to go.
Under the current format, the event is played in a host country with the four participating nations playing each other once throughout October and November with the top two sides playing off in a tournament final.
My proposed expanded Four Nations has the four teams playing each other twice in a home-and-away style, similar to the current Four Nations concept in rugby union. The expanded rugby league Four Nations could begin during the NRL season with allocated representative breaks, much like in other sports.
Under this concept, the midseason Test between Australia and New Zealand, colloquially known as the Anzac Test, could form the first round of the tournament with both countries playing two more Tests before the end of the season. The return matches could then be played after the NRL grand final, as is currently the case.
I believe there are a number of benefits to this concept.
Firstly, and perhaps most simply, it creates more international matches each year. Secondly, it allows for the qualifiers, such as Samoa in this year’s tournament, to play more games and form more cohesive attacking play.
Third, it allows for top flight league to be played in minnow nations and this exposure could help to improve the profile of the game in these countries. Furthermore, given the impressive ratings for the tournament, Australia’s games on home soil could potentially be played on a Wednesday evening, thus providing the networks with more prime-time footy.
This could also serve to improve the excitement level of international rugby league, much like Wednesday nights has done for State of Origin.
Obviously, there are some challenges to this concept, most glaringly of which is the issue of player burnout. I must admit that for this concept to work the NRL season would most likely need to be reduced a few weeks.
For example, a conference system where each team plays their own conference twice and the other conference once would produce a 22-round season, which would allow for more international breaks. However, this topic is probably for another time.
Another issue would be the logistics of having Southern Hemisphere teams travelling North (and vice-versa) right in the middle of the season.
This is where a Six Nations concept may assist. This tournament would have both a Southern conference (Australia, New Zealand and a Pacific Island qualifier) and a Northern Conference (England, France and a European qualifier). Countries would play sides in their own conference once, with the top two sides from each conference progressing to the Four Nations playoffs.
An expanded Six Nations has the obvious advantage of minnow nations playing more games more often, thus improving their skill and exposure, though it could be argued that international rugby league doesn’t yet have the depth to support a tournament of this size.
So what do you think Roarers? Could an expanded Four Nations capture the hearts and minds of the rugby league world? What other benefits or challenges exist with this concept?
chibimatty
Roar Rookie
I'd like to see a combined Pacific Islands XIII, comprising Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands. Seeing as the Four Nations idea is to have all the top players concentrated into a short, high-intensity tournament, different from the World Cup as a world showcase, I think would make a good fit. As a point, I think it may also be a good idea, in lieu of any test tours happening, to bring back the Great Britain Lions for this particular tournament also. When the RLWC comes along, then the separate countries can represent themselves again, with the major nations giving up some of their players as they do now, to bolster other nations. As an aside, maybe the fifth team could see the return of one of rugby league's old traditions, the Other Nationalities XIII; who were a significant part of the game's history for over seventy years, even winning the European Championships on two occasions.
Matt
Guest
Good point. We need the top teams playing more each year. The pacific nations cup or some similar competition would be great start. There are problems with Fiji at the moment that won't be a concern in the future if the International board commits to developing further the international game. Logistically, developing league in PNG (even admitting a side into the NRL) makes sense. They are our closest neighbour. You can literally get there under a days travel in a Quintrex Bowrider! Regular test-matches with NZ and integrating a Kiwi team into the NRL has resulted in vast improvement in competitiveness and development of league in NZ. It is a good formula!! The idea of a southern conference of 4 and a northern conference of 4 (or 5 in each if you are really keen on expansion) with the winners playing off for the final, has a lot of merit. As for being facetious, absolutely not! It is odd that so many of our best were injured or too tired to play. It did present an opportunity to have new talent included for this four nations. Lead-up games and a longer preparation may have seen more combinations gel than we saw. It was very one out and limited. Australia will be far better for the experience.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I like agreeing with people.
Bearfax
Guest
Fiji Matt? Tonga has a population of a little over 100,000, Western Samoa a little over 200,000 but Fiji has a little under 900,000. They play a lot of union but League also growing there
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Let the fourth team stay there unless knocked out. The only way to knock them out is for the Pacific and European Cup title holders to battle it out with the winner getting the right to challenge the fourth team and take their spot. I think that idea has some merit.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
It makes sense, doesn't it?
Matt
Guest
I think we do need an expanded international schedule. Every two years we could play a 6 nations tournament, with PNG and France playing every tournament. Why not go even beyond this: a Rugby League World Series tournament with Australia, NZ, PNG, Samoa/Tonga (after they play-off for inclusion), England, Wales, Scotland/Ireland (after play-off for inclusion), Canada and the USA. I have seen video of Canada and the USA and they are ready for full test-match status. It is time to bring them in. Players and clubs will talk about player burn-out but I think there is a way around it. The top 200 players in the league should be contracted by the national body. They can then be leased to the clubs with clauses making them available for representative games, and rest from a certain number of club games each year. More rep games (particularly internationals) will give them plenty of game time. The national body will be able to protect their competition, their players, player welfare, enable career pathing for elite players, build the game internationally and grow the sport as a whole. A world cup every four years, world series every two (except for a world cup year) and 6 Nations every year (except for a world cup year) plus one test a year against PNG and NZ (except for a world cup year) outside of other competitions is giving plenty of game time, expanding league internationally, and keeping a check on player welfare. We need to be comfortable with rotating players in and out of international teams to help manage player rest and workload. The recent four nations went a long way to making this happen. Full credit to Sheens for blooding new talent. It has to happen if we are to be competitive with the improving English, NZ and other teams.
Ben Lewis
Guest
I think that the collective opinion that this year should have been the rest year as opposed to next year is spot on. We had the most successful World Cup of all time last year and to have another International competition the year after I think is a little much. Now we have from 2013-2017, World Cup, Four Nations, Rest, Four Nations, World Cup. I would've liked to have seen a New Zealand vs Samoa Origin curtain raiser and have the 2014-2017 schedule be Rest, Four Nations, Rest, World Cup. Even in 2016 maybe instead of a rest year have a few one-off tests like England v Papua New Guinea, Aotearoa Maori vs Fiji etc, this leads up to the World Cup without being too strenuous on the players. Or maybe I'm just one of few who thinks it's a wrong schedule :P
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Is this 'letter of allegiance' for real?
PangoBango
Guest
Epi, you fail to realise that punters want quality - not quantity. Can you explain to me why NRL crowds are poor? And why do we rarely sellout our finals games?! Seriously, its about quality! Server the punters 17000 games if u want...they wont show up.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Who agreed that the season is too long? Are you saying that you would like to see LESS Rugby League each year? In my article, I propose each nation playing two more games each year. That's hardly 365 days a year of footy. Personally I'd like to see as much footy as I can get. Your comment doesn't seem very well informed tbh.
PangoBango
Guest
So lets expand the 9s, bring back the All Star Game, lets have 3 ANZAC tests. hang on...didnt we agree that the season is too long already?! You cant have footy 365 days a year!
tigerdave
Guest
Just when we think we have an opportunity to expand the game, the league come up with the stupid notion of making the schoolboys sign a letter of alloegence to Australia prior to being picked in a schoolboys team. That is redicilious. We need to strenghten the other countries not weaken them. There is not enough competiuition in New Zealand on a stand alone basis to ensure these players experience the top level. Somoa was a success for the 4 Nations, but we need to track players into their hiome countries not put a stumbling block in front of them. Lets give the kids the benefit of top class footy then have an eligibility rule that is fair and equitable. The only one now seems that if you don't make the Country of choice first squad, you're free to play for Fiji or Somao etc. That will never make the Island nations stronger, as they are not getting the elite play for them.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
In the 2000 world cup, Australia and New Zealand handed out thumpings of over 100 points to some clubs. The gap is closing nicely.
Boomshanka
Guest
And the All Blacks Thumped the USA 74 - 6 in Chicago a couple of weeks ago Even though the local media reported them as an Australian team, it doesn't stop Union from exploring new markets does it? Last years RLWC and the USA teams success in that tournament was a great boost for leagues profile there. Fact is Sydney clubs, Brisbane Broncos and State of Origin mean nothing to the hearts and minds of those outside the Channel Nine target market. International league (even allowing for a few eligibility concessions) has the potential to provide real growth. Even Victorian's remaining steadfastly loyal to AFL (with many indifferent to the Storm), will support their country.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It's a way forward. I'm not anti international league - there just needs to be a bit of perspective. Samoa have shown that the PI nations can be competitive. They've shown that the path of developing the league 'fringe' nations is a very worthwhile exercise. They've shown that involving a 4th nation in these tournaments was and remains a great move. It doesn't mean we're ready for expanded comps or that all the second tier nations are ready to go. One of the WC semis last year was 64-0. And basing any format on cutting back NRL or origin games is fanciful because it just ain't gonna happen any time soon.
Bearfax
Guest
I'm not saying that all PNG players in their international side are playing in the domestic competition Johnno. I'm saying the majority are usually playing in their domestic competition. This is of course changing and more and more PNG players are finding contracts elsewhere especially in England. Their last World Cup squad coached by Adrian Lam had 22 players. 11 played in the PNG domestic comp, 6 were playing in England and 5 in Australia. Of course the PNG QLD Cup side will no doubt cause an increasing number of PNG players to get contracts with NRL sides. But unlike the other Island sides and especially Samoa, a significant number of PNG players still play in their domestic competition, which is very healthy
Johnno
Guest
Bearfax, not so sure the best 20 PNG players live and play in PNG. Guys like Adrian Lam, or Stanley Gean, or Macus Bai,The Penrith hooker,David Westley and many more all ply there trade out of PNG.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Rod this never happens in the Southern Hemisphere as the competition is never played over when internationals are played.
Bearfax
Guest
According to information well available on the net Samoa have a 12 team competition and only 320 registered players. Tonga is somewhat larger with 2 divisions of 12 teams and 7 teams and about 2,000 players registered. Compare that with PNG which has 15,000 players registered and 280 clubs. As for the players in the Samoan side that played in the four team comp. There were 19 players chosen. The Dogs have 3, then 2 each from Tigers, Sea Eagles, Broncos, Knights, Cowboys, Saints and one each from Sydney City and Melbourne. Two are playing in England. Total: 19