I like the cut of Marwan Koukash’s jib. He’s a dangerous thinker with a cowboy approach to business, plus he’s got so much money that he doesn’t have to think about money.
His rich, reckless fruitiness is perfect for the volatility of rugby league in Australia.
If history has taught us anything, it’s that magnates who dabble in football clubs and racehorses are always a safe bet, and that’s why we should loosen up and get freaky with the Salford Reds owner before he takes his cheque book elsewhere.
For those stung by the unscrupulous suitors of the past, have no fear. Koukash has the look of a man who intends to engage in a marathon romp with local league, as evidenced by months of floozy bedroom eyes towards the NRL and plenty of predatory sniffing around struggling clubs while flaunting his proverbial g-string of gold.
While this is a disturbing metaphor, please don’t let it put you off – the man is worth a crack. Despite the appeal of being breathlessly wealthy, he’s also a passionate visionary, he doesn’t care what squares like David Smith think, and most importantly, he’s not Nathan Tinkler.
For these important reasons, it’s time the NRL began entertaining his left-field overtures, and they could start by giving consideration to his outrageous idea to plant a franchise in the deep freeze of England. Yes, to play rugby league, in the NRL, on a week-in week-out basis.
Prima facie, setting up a team in Europe for a 26-week competition in the antipodes has the potential to be a logistical horror show that would cost the farm, plus require a whopping upheaval of draws, scheduling, broadcasting, sponsorship, funding, licensing and governance. But despite all of this, it really is a terrific idea.
Besides extinguishing debate on the ‘toughest road trip in the game’, plus giving rugby league’s finest weekly attempts at beating Boonie’s cans record, a team in England would help achieve something even more important- to assist the Lion nation’s floundering international program to revive, nurture and then ultimately prosper.
As we know, the NRL is famous for it’s generosity in opening up its borders to include the sleeping giants of the world. Well, when I say ‘generous’, they’ve done it once, which they would probably consider generous.
We all recall when Australian rugby league included the Warriors in 1995. It was done with the greater good in mind, plus to allow easily-amused ockers to indulge in countless calls of ‘set of sux’ each week.
Who could imagine the way it’s turned out?
A few decades on, and we’re still taking the mickey out of the accent. More importantly, the international game now has a formidable Kiwis outfit that’s better for just the odd Test win or stink in the tunnel.
While there may be a wait before it bears fruit, and it may cost Australian clubs a Phil Blake or two, can you imagine the effect that an English NRL side would have on their national team in ten years’ time? I see into the future and I’m thrilled – they could be a self-sufficient force again that’s totally weaned off the Burgii.
But alas, setting up the saviour of Koukash’s self-titled ‘British Bulldogs’ won’t be easy. Players are already tired, there’s a lot of stopovers of temptation on a long haul flight, and broadcasters are sure to crack the poos about a 7am EST kickoff slot.
Add to this, we haven’t even mentioned the role of the English Super League in the structure, the team’s location, and how the hell we will put up with Pommy commentators. I’ll leave all of those spicy meatballs for the Roarers to deal with.
Either way, Koukash is as mad as a cut snake, and I like him and his money. With the NRL in rude health and the bigger picture in mind, this idea is so crazy that it just could work!
The Barry
Roar Guru
I hope I've grown very old before I see that. NRL expansion plan - an English team and Titans Two.
mycall
Guest
I think the 70-80 year old professional league in France could possibly take precedence as the world's third professional league... and it could certainly use some support/cash too!
Alex Green
Roar Guru
Yeah good call CC. I'm a big fan of developing the international game too, so if he can help out in Europe, or even the Pacific, then all good. But sounds like he's got deep pockets so the NRL shouldn't dismiss him, obviously not with an England team but if Perth needs help get him involved!
Justthetip
Guest
2nd Gold Coast team?
Russell Johnson
Guest
Disappointed in this for editors and Gurus alike!
Russell Johnson
Guest
George Hotel 1895 = pipe dream Victor Trumper, entreprenuer James J. Giltinan and Dally Messenger heading for England = pipe dream There are quite a few examples of visionaries throughout the history of RL and unfortunately they are few and far between and more have been dismissed than have been listened to. But the naysayers have always always been more influential in the Greatest Game and .................
Russell Johnson
Guest
There are a lot of layers to this 1) interest level 2) international improvement for the English players involved 3) basing the team outside the heartlands of SL but close enough for the fans to travel And I'm not saying it doesn't have obvious holes that need addressing but when people talk about growth in Perth and Adelaide I tend to become comatose - you had those and got rid of them in a fit of revengeful pique, and people have grown old waiting for another team in NZ and on the Gold Coast so please,please don't use these old chestnuts as sound response to this idea on any other!
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I don't think reading rates highly here in Australia.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Don't people ever take note of the little 'Ha' next to the title?
Russell Johnson
Guest
Who wants them to rush into anything? The point about RL and the World is that it is an elephant's graveyard for good ideas! If they were to consider it they would have to go through a whole set of checks and analysis before it went ahead!
Russell Johnson
Guest
Thanks for the evidence, I'm very grateful for all help!
Russell Johnson
Guest
Stop waving the name of Nathan Tinkler around like the ghost of Christmas past that's the job of the pensioners at the Auckland 9's ! There is no comparison, he's not like the afore mentioned and he adores RL more than any late comer to the game I've ever seen. I hope he does not go forward with this project I hope everyone in Oz is too stupid to see how incredible the idea might become because that just might mean MK's money and ideas stay in SL where they are desperately needed! Marwan Koukash's treatment at the hands of the fans, pundits and hierarchy within SL has been little short of scandalous and bordering on lynch mob at times. Ridiculously he looked to Oz to try and get a fair shake for ambitious ideas and initiatives, naively he thought the Aussies had more about them than the stuck in the past RFL , the jumped on the bandwagon group of RL writers in England and the absurdly nasty bunch of posters you find on forums there! The worst he can be accused of is imagining that when you lot crack on (and on) about "fair go!" you actually mean it!
Russell Johnson
Guest
yeah I'm sure but thanks for asking!
Squidward
Roar Rookie
I reckon most comment after reading the headline
mushi
Guest
are you sure he does?
James Carter
Guest
NRL Expansion will not include and English team period, they'll be a 2nd team in zealand, perth and possibly jets & bombers they'll not be a UK,PNG team or adelaide on the next expansion End of story
James Carter
Guest
USARL is starting this season with 14 teams!! a record they say (East coast mainly), now at least there's a RL competition in usa worth invest
James Carter
Guest
Why on earth WCC isn't played at the end of the season i don't know, it would make a huge audience, plus played in a different season with a different roster makes the whole concept of WCC pointless
Brian M
Guest
Here's an idea I was thinking about, have a World Super Series (or whatever you want to call it), with regular season games between NRL and ESL teams. The NRL teams would go play a magic weekend type event in England, then the ESL teams would come to Australia and do the same. It would only require one trip each way for the teams. Eight NRL teams would play ESL teams twice, and eight would play an ESL team once (the ones that only played an ESL team once would have an additional game against another NRL team). ESL teams would all play NRL teams twice. The World Club Challenge could be incorporated into this format, with one of the games being between the previous season's NRL and ESL champions. Here's the thing, the games would count in the standings of the respective leagues, so the teams would have the incentive to play all out. It wouldn't be too taxing or expensive with only one trip each way for teams, just allow more interaction between the leagues and help globalize the game.
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
I think this is a terrible idea. I dont even want to go into it. What with Perth and Brisbane 2 vying for inclusion and NZ 2 which is looking greater by the month. I honestly think he should invest in a new australian/NZ based franchise. This guy has some great ideas and its hard not to like him anyway. I wish he was involved here with rugby league. Maybe the english side is down the track but not right now, since the NRL is trying to re-establish itself here in this country as the number one sport. I get that it could prove an elevation much like what happened with the broncos inclusion (and onto a wider stage). But this is not the right fit. __ So until I see figures that will make me step over my dying mother; tv ratings-projections and contracts that will gnaw at my ethics and benefits that will make a philanthropist blush Im not getting on board that train. I think its wasted effort, and effort in the wrong direction. But like I stress, what a great thinker/servant of the sport.