“Australia are the Champions! Mal’s men claim the 2017 RLWC!”
There it is, I’m getting in early and saving you the wait. Come December this year, the Kangaroos will be crowned kings of the rugby league universe after winning their second consecutive World Cup. There simply isn’t an iota of doubt about it.
In truth, Australia could arguably pick a B and C side and they would both go close to making the final in Brisbane. Absolutely no disrespect intended to the other nations – New Zealand in particular – but this current heard of Roos’ are simply too deadly.
From now until October, Mal Meninga will be in a rightful panic. Such is the magnitude of his dilemma, one wouldn’t be surprised if he is forced to take a period stress leave to clear his head.
I mean, who plays fullback? Slater? Boyd? Tedesco? Trbojevic?
And what about five eighth? Maloney? Munster? Morgan? DCE? Norman? Moylan? Milford?
It’s the sort of conundrum that can break even the strongest of gladiators.
While the Green and Gold may be missing a few big names – most notably JT and GI, their depth is still something similar to that of the Indian Ocean. Couple this with the seemingly unbreakable bond Mal Meninga has managed to form among his playing group (much to the annoyance of us passionate State of Origin people) and you’ve got a recipe for inevitable and resounding success.
So how does one get excited when it isn’t even a contest?
The answer is simple: the magic of the game.
The World Cup presents many unique opportunities. It’s arguably the only platform for third and fourth tier players, heck even some park footballers, to match it with the biggest names in the game. From this, we get to see the rumblings of a potential David and Goliath story.
While they might not have knocked over any genuine heavyweights, how good was it seeing the USA Tomahawks reach the Quarter Final of the 2013 tournament? Something tells me a Mitchell Moses inspired Lebanese outfit will be this year’s surprise packet.
Aside from the minnow effect, there is also something abundantly special about watching the Pacific Island nations do their thing on the field.
The passion, the skill and the intensity.
Look for the battle between Tonga and Samoa in Hamilton to be the game of the tournament. These nations are no minnows at all, and along with Fiji, they’ll all be pressing for at least a semi final appearance in this year’s edition.
To achieve this, they’ll need to have their strongest side on the field. One can only hope they’re able to pick something close to their top squads once the top tier nations are done crafting theirs.
Papua New Guinea, while not a real threat, would claim the Cup in a canter if it was won on passion alone. Allowing their pool games to be played in Port Moresby will prove a master stroke, special scenes are almost guaranteed.
Finally, the World Cup also provides the sickeningly tasty benefit of allowing footy to be played all the way up until December. Sure, the Ashes will also be on (or so Cricket Australia hopes), but I won’t complain if I’m forced to listen to both Shane Warne and Andrew Johns on the same day.
In fact, that almost sounds like heaven.
Chacha
Guest
Seriously a RL World Cup is a joke. Not even the players know who they are resprrsenting til the weeks leading up to it.
duecer
Guest
Baz, I think you're incorrect, RL was much larger in Europe decades ago - this is what's frustrating about filling other countries with former and fringe NRL players - it means that real domestic grown countries are falling further behind in WC. England used to have good numbers, France wasn't too far behind and there was a growing base in Wales. Alas numbers have fallen, especially in France and Wales missed out on the opportunity of expanding. The powers to be should be trying to get back to those days, but, as usual in today's sports, commercial gain overrides all - no ones going to pay to see one sided clashes, but you'll get some traction when you put on contests, never mind that it's become a bit farcical.
Baz
Guest
Scotland? No national competition no Scots playing for them and they are 4th in the world. Yea its growing out of control. Italy? No Italians playing for them . Ireland? Yorkshire and Lancashire aren't in Ireland. Rugby League is as big in Europe as it was 25 years ago.
Baz
Guest
Kingscliff Crosscoder. And No you couldn't pay me to watch Aussies playing against Aussies for countries they've never visited in their life. Its fair dinkum embarrassing
Baz
Guest
Crosscoder a place called Kingscliff mate. The NSW state of origin team trained here for a couple of weeks Last time i drove to Sydney it took about 12 hours like i said. I know majority of players bitthplaces and origins i like to stay informed to keep you blokes on your toes as to how much of a rort "International" Rugby League is. There is no crime involved just getting the truth out to those who wouldn't know any different
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Yep Baz doesn't get it.As delusional as one can get.Pathetic. He's never heard of the RLIF an International sporting body.Or the RLEF ditto. You don't get European Sport Grants if you are not growing your sport "Internationally" in Europe.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Baz reality check,You are the one expressing deep and fake concern about where they are born, then stating 95% are born in Western Sydney. I'm not going to humour, you except say nicely,do your own research.You need to come armed with facts, guesswork and stirring unarmed ain't going to work. Ciao baby. Meanwhile I'm going to enjoy the tournament which will be televised on ch7,played in Perth,NZ,Sydney,Brisbane ,Canberra,PNG,Townsville,Melbourne. Where will you be watching it? From a banana plantation near Mullumbimby?
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
You're now south of the Gold Coast Baz LOL,and a million kms away from rl reality. And you know all about the Origins and birthplaces of RL players.I call BS. But Mat you were the same genius who stated an International game was being played at Liverpool,when it was in fact being played at Shark Park near Caringbah.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
REAL International sports not manufactured International teams that are put together to create “International” competition Actually, that's not true. Real international sports require governing bodies, leagues/competitions and players in the nations involved. How national teams are selected is a management, financial and/or political issue.
Baz
Guest
Crosscoder REAL International sports not manufactured International teams that are put together to create "International" competition
Baz
Guest
Well please enlighten me where they were all born mate? im very interested
Baz
Guest
Whats this Carringbah thing? Youve mentioned it 3 or 4 times now. Im just south of the Gold Coast mate about 12 hours away from Carringbah
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Baz. Rugby league has competitions in now 40 countries. In the early 90s about half a dozen.Even Fiji had no comp. Seriously Mathew/Baz countries start from scratch. Therefore on that basis rugby league has been developing Internationally over 22 years.And in that short space of time has done better than expected. Always willing to help the helpless.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Silly comment because that';s what it is Baz. And your comment 90% of the players are born in Western Sydney is a lie.But do continue to lead with your chiny chin chin.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I've lazily covered the three Baz.Separate rugby league comps in Sweden ,Norway and Denmark. And BTW I have visited the three countries mentioned,Unlike your non visitation of Cartingbah Sorry to shoot you down in flames once again.
Baz
Guest
Silly comment? Its silly because you dont agree with it? Do you agree that 90% of the players are born and bred in Western Sydney Crosscoder? Or is that silly to?
Baz
Guest
Crosscoder basketball has developed in every country in the World its an attractive sport that doesnt need excuses as to why it isn't big outside QLD and NSW How long has Rugby League been developing? 120 years?
Baz
Guest
Scandinavia is a great country Crosscoder! A bit like the Latin Heat!! Haha
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Well, whatever angle he takes, I'm sure it will end up obtuse...
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Baz of course will not respond to that irrefutable point SA.It went straight threw to keeper. He ATM is looking for another angle.