It’s a throwaway line at the bottom of a rugby league story in The Australian and it seems to represent yet another embarrassing climb-down by a sport that just doesn’t know what to do with itself.
“The NRL has also reduced to two the number of clubs to play in next year’s World Club Challenge,” journalist Brent Read wrote.
(I’m not Brent Write, reading it, by the way.)
That’s a sentence that throws up a couple of questions, but neither of the answers makes for cheery reading.
Firstly, is that two NRL teams being sent to the tournament, or just two teams involved all up, in one game?
Secondly, how can the NRL make decisions on who competes in something that is also controlled by Super League?
The answer to the latter is obvious: the NRL has the bigger competition with the most money and all the glamour and can do what it damn-well likes.
The solution to the first question is merely a matter of degree in the failure of another ambitious rugby league concept that has been tried in so many forms, with nothing achieved but widespread dizziness from going around in circles.
The World Club Challenge, or Championship, started in 1976 and was played, er, one year in a row.
It was revived in 1987 and played every second year until 1991, with just two teams each time, before becoming annual until 1997 when it suddenly ballooned to 22 teams under the mistaken belief that full-scale international competition would take the sport to a new level.
It was a shambolic mismatch, to the extent that an undefeated southern hemisphere side was beaten to the finals by a northern hemisphere team that had not won a single match in the round robin, because the formula dictated a quota from each region qualified.
The final pitted Brisbane against the Hunter Mariners, who ceased to exist at full-time in the match.
So we abandoned the concept again for two years and in 2000 it returned as one game played annually. In 2014, however, St George Illawarra and Brisbane were convinced to join South Sydney in the UK.
The coalition of the willing got so much out of the trek, despite all Super League sides losing, that this year we actually managed to convince the top three NRL teams from the previous season to be involved.
A rare, rate piece of tangible progress. We were informed that ten of the 16 Australasian teams wanted to be involved.
Oh no. As in 1997, they proved far too good. Sydney Roosters beat St Helens 38-12, Brisbane downed Wigan 42-12 and North Queensland blitzed Leeds 38-4.
So we’ve given up again, scaling it back to one or two games. Shane Richardson’s departure from League Central has clearly killed off a brief flirtation with international competition, at club and representative level.
The NRL is back to its default position – staring at its own navel.
The World Club Series was good for the game in England, attracting national publicity which is normally almost impossible to get. Who can forget the kerfuffle around Russell Crowe eschewing the Oscars to be at Langtree Park?
It also helped NRL clubs broaden their marketing bases, selling memberships and merchandise to the game’s other major outpost of support in the north of England.
But you know what? I’m going to take this column in a direction you probably don’t expect right now. I fear this might be the right decision from a practical perspective.
When the NFL wants to play games in London, they don’t take on the Coventry Jets or Sheffield Predators, do they? They play each other.
NRL teams now have twice the salary cap of their Super League cousins and the gap is only going to widen. Most Super League clubs cannot even afford to underwrite a World Club Challenge game (Huddersfield were reputedly uninterested this year) and it may be that with Leeds at the bottom of the table in 2016, the clubs up top just don’t have the cash to pay for the incoming travel.
One World Club Series/World Club Challenge game at least sets the stage for an upset – three just highlights the expanding gulf between the leagues.
The fears of Salford owner Marwan Koukash are legitimate – Super League is well on the way to becoming a feeder competition for the NRL.
Great Britain great Garry Schofield, talking on the Backchat TV program recently, said he’d be happy to see 50 or 60 Englishman make the move because winning at international level is so important.
What the NRL should be aiming to do is stage its own events in Britain, one of the only international outposts with a degree of wealth and a proven interest in the game. A full-scale NRL match at a soccer stadium would do well, building up to a State of Origin down the track.
Just because League Central has apparently given up on the World Club Challenge doesn’t mean it should give up on Britain.
Parra
Guest
I agree the current 5year Sky deal for 200m pounds is poor considering the ratings for league in the uk. Nigel wood engineered the deal when sky was hurrying to secure sporting content due to competition form other networks. I believe a golden opportunity was missed to sell games free to air and obviously secure a better deal. The super league management does not in my opinion maximise the value of the sport and appears to lack vision. I agree perhaps with the Salford owner that change is needed.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Yes, it's quite funny.
Mongo
Guest
They wont give up on it because : despite all the disadvantages to the Aussie sides (time difference, travel, summer into winter and return, pre-season for Aus but 3 games in for the Brits) it: gives some idea to deluded ESL fans that they can compete with jetlagged Aussies; flattens the NRL premier and or Runnerup so NRL competition is more even (one year the Broncs I think flew back and then had to fly to Auckland in the next week for comp game); call it the World Challenge but nearly always held in Yorkshire/Lancs which gives you an idea on the disparity in talent. Lachan Murdoch had this idea of World Club titles like soccer but his father was less than impressed when it was so one-sided. Its a laugh
Norad
Guest
Just to prove Steve's point. The NRL are now reportedly going to investigate match fixing claims from the 1980s an 90s. That was before the NRL was even formed. And for what? To give themselves a black eye in the media for the rest of 2016? What sort of a sport deliberately and dumbly gives itself negative publicity? All they had to say was they were interested to know what went on if anyone from back then wants to talk about it, but as it happened before the NRL was formed the NRL won't be investigating it. Are the NRL going to punish clubs for what they did the 1980s now? Good luck with that NRL. Feeding bad publicity.
Matt
Guest
As a Brit who moved to Australia (through marriage) at 26, the issue I have is that I just don't care about Australian teams. I grew up in London...I support England in all things and follow West Ham. I first saw League in Australia. I "support" the Dragons because they're the local team, but couldn't care less if they win or lose a season. You can't transplant passion. You have to grow up with it. I'm 48...lived here 22 years....fans of league from the UK feel passionate about their own teams....they may 'like' the Bronco's or Storm...bu are not passionate about them.
Wow
Guest
Steve how about taking the all stars concept to England to replace the club comp. NZ Allstars, indigenous Allstars, European/Superleague Allstars and NRL Allstars. We don't want to highlight the gulf between comps and we can get some more rep footy for players who otherwise miss out this way. Bring SBW back for kiwis and put in players like JWH so it's not the test side. Put a big money offer to Nonu to have a crack on the wing and that will surely attract a lot of international attention. Maybe halfpenny or someone for the Northern side. It's unlimited interchange and there outside backs so I'm sure they would handle it. Hell Brad Thorn would probably still kill it.
Norad
Guest
Wait and see if NSW lose to QLD. Then the media hacks will take to killing off the 3rd Origin game when a series is 2-0. Next step from that is kill off Origin entirely. The NRL navel gazers won't rest until the NRL is the same as the AFL. Which will happen once league in England is reduced to irrelevance by the NRL's indifference and when all rep footy is killed off. It will happen by 2022 imo.
Phillip
Guest
USA Perpignan is a Pro 2 second division club , Catalans in Super League. Phill
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Sure but professional sport is about money and economics, right? If the commercial bodies running the sport are happy with the timeframe it would take to recoup their investment, then sure, PNG can be part of the Big Four. But at the moment, I just don't see it happening. At least not for a while. (Though I do hope to be proven wrong!)
Tripehound
Guest
Apparently Burgess has signed a three year deal with Wigan starting 1 December. Ryan Bailey is one of those players it's easy to dislike, he's a bit of a throw back to the old fashioned big dirty pig. Warrington raised a few eye brows when they took him on board through the close season but I could see exactly where Tony Smith was coming from, he unsettles opposition packs and allows his own forwards to get stuck in and play their own game. He had many successful seasons with Leeds before things went off kilter, he joined Hull KR and only lasted a couple of months before being released then went to Castleford for the back end of last season before again being released, hence the surprise when Wire picked him up. I remember seeing him play for the GB academy against the touring Aussie school boys back in the 90's and for my money he was the stand out forward on the pitch. Although he's had a good and trophy laden career I've always felt that he's never quite reached his true potential and if anything has played up to the Mr Nasty/pantomime villain a bit too much at the expense of his footballing ability.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Haha, flipping drum kits. I heard Joe heading home, but to union? Interview with Ryan Bailey in League Week today. Everytime I mention his name to a Pom their eyes spin and vitriol spews, even towards his old man.
Tripehound
Guest
Punished! It's cobblers when your season is fizzling out in the middle of June mate, just like ours. We've got a winger called Jack Owens you can have, about as much use as Anne Franks drum kit. Speaking of wingers I understand Joe Burgess is on his way back to pie land next season, things can't be too sweet for him at the Roosters, I thought he would have given it another season though. Mike Copper on his way back to Warrington as well, has the sun stopped shinning over there? We could do with Jammer Graham heading back to us (wishful thinking) our pack has had about as much spine as a jellyfish this year.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Baz cracked last week, i fear the remainder of the season could unravel. He has plenty of excuses now but made some horrid selections early on. Mate, we'd get pushed by Hunslet at the moment.
Tripehound
Guest
Haha, bit of a Friday morning ritual tuning into the continuous commentary team, I'm thinking of taking out an advertisement at half time, I'm sick of the win a Holden with a two dollar lottery ticket! Speaking of the medicine cabinet we could do with getting Keiron Cunningham on some pep pills, his tactics have been bloody awful this year, so I also feel your pain Jas how are you rating Barrett, I know he was considered a risky option before the season kicked off. Sounds as though the Eels have got this wrapped up. Yes Sleiman I have my fingers crossed for the four nations, it's all going to be about our backs, I have every faith in our pack being able to come up with the goods.
bozo
Guest
What about PNG? It is the national sport there and they could be the Three in the puzzle
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
League on the wireless is the coal face of life!!! You've got my Man of Steel vote, love it! I reckon worth heading out tonight, should be a close contest. I hear you though, i was attacking the same medicine cupboard last week at Brookvale. Up 24-4 before the nasty side effects took over. Everyone overcome by that awful feeling of not knowing where to look or what to say.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I agree with you. A successful England on the international stage is what will truly kick-start Test football. It's the missing piece of the Big Three puzzle.
Tripehound
Guest
Ey up Jas, listening to it in 2GB radio as I'm in work. Girdering myself to go to the Saints v Hull KR game tonight mate, watching the Saints these days is like taking opening medicine!
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
G'day TH. Off topic, mate have you got live coverage Parra v South this morning in St Helens? Fire up the Burgo boys!!!
Tripehound
Guest
If two games are being played in the WCC next year the way things are panning out at the moment it could easily be Hull FC and Catalans Dragons representing Super League. It would be the first time either of these sides have played in the series and they would have massive crowds supporting them. Hull play in a terrific stadium and have a big passionate support, the Dragons have a tremendous support (they love their RL in the south of France). Catalans have taken home games into the greater Catalonia area in previous seasons, a few seasons back I recall them playing a match against Warrington in Barcelona with well over 20,000 fans in attendance. The big event for me before the WCC though is the four nations at the end of the year, I fancy England's chances and feel that their success would be the catalyst for the international game to be really lit up and this in turn would be fantastic leading into a world cup year in 2017. In turn it could lead the way for a proper calendar of test match series' to be opened up, as mentioned by other posters they used to be massive events and can easily be so once again. When Wayne Bennett was appointed as England coach it was reported at length on all prime time major news networks throughout the UK. It has to be the game at international level that will take us into a bigger, brighter future. The world has become a smaller more easily accessible place and infighting amongst the RL family or blinkered short term self interest will only serve to keep us in a niche.