Maybe it’s because the games are on Channel Seven.
Outside of the Melbourne Cup, the sum total of programs I’d watch in a year on Channel Seven is zero with a bullet – it’s full of gibbering, dead-eyed professional posers coiffed like pro preachers – it’s television that makes you ever more stupid the longer you look at it.
Maybe it’s living in Sydney which is hosting just two Rugby League World Cup games because the events mob didn’t bid very hard for games because they had other things to spend money on, like… I don’t know. Things. That train to the race track, say, or some more roads.
Maybe it’s cricket season and you wonder if Glenn Maxwell will bat six, or three, or eight, and why they continue to pick Glenn Maxwell. I like the man but he can’t bat three for Australia in Test cricket, there should be a law.
Maybe it’s because I have to come up with a column about England and there’s only so many times you can crack gags about a dud Joe Root and how Stuie Broad looks like that evil kid Malfoy from Harry Potter.
Maybe it’s the middle of the Spring Racing Carnival (oh, Johannes Vermeer, my babies gots to eat).
Maybe the Australian Open golf’s on soon and I just got a start in the Pro-Am on the Wednesday and the Emirates Marquee on the Thursday, and not to brag, ha, much, but I have thought of little else since.
And maybe a few other things. Insert your own here, the forum’s floor is yours.
(NRL Photos / Scott Davis)
Whatever it is, from this fat faux-leather couch on these our Lord Mr Lillee’s northern beaches, so muted is the ‘feel’ of this rugby league World Cup that it’s like… casual league watchers could fair dinkum be forgiven for wondering if the blessed thing is even on.
I know it’s on. I’ve watched the odd game.
But you know what I mean. Do you know what I mean? Genuine question.
I’ve been consuming my usual diet of sport on Fox Sports News, the ABC and SBS. Little bit of Nine.
And… I dunno. Maybe it’s just me. But it’s been a dry old argument, hasn’t it? It’s mute. And moot. Maybe not moot. I don’t think that word fits in here.
But the World Cup’s just… it’s not getting a whole lotta press, is it?
Not to say the footy hasn’t been pretty good.
The Poms were pretty good against Australia, and with a bit of luck might’ve snuck off with it.
They’ve got some players, the Poms. That winger Mcgillvary? Like him. Good that Sammy Burgess will be back. Really like Widdop, Graham. Quite like the Poms.
(AAP Image/David Crosling)
The French, too, in relative terms, were pretty good against Australia despite it seeming they gave away 20 kilograms and a head per man. And it might sound counter-intuitive but 52-6 wasn’t as bad a blow-out as feared.
Lebanon versus England was good, there’s plenty of feeling among the men under that Cedars crest, they look like they’re playing for each other. Liking Lebanon.
Papua New Guinea versus Ireland in Port Moresby was cracking sports theatre. The Fijians singing in the sheds and pre-game, the harmonies of these giant men named after body-guards, beautiful stuff.
And Tonga-Samoa, the respective cultural challenges, followed by all the boys forming a circle and taking a knee. Top stuff.
But… I dunno. It’s all a bit… mute, isn’t it? It’s like the promotions people or PR types aren’t getting messages out. Like the players aren’t being put forward or chased for comment.
Maybe rival media – Nine, Ten, dear sweet SBS – don’t want to give any leg-up to a competitive rival.
Maybe Fox is miffed Channel Seven aren’t sharing like they always seem to with Nine in league.
I fair dinkum sat on the couch watching Fox Sports News all Thursday night, and the only ‘World Cup’ news was Cooper Cronk wishing the Socceroos well in the qualifier against Honduras.
There’s one Fox footy panel show. In footy season it’s like there’s 30.
Matt Moylan’s move to the Sharks got a bit. That annual exercise in voyeurism, All Blacks versus Kangaroos in a hybrid game, got another minute or so. (If that ever happens I’ll walk to Cronulla.)
But the World Cup… nothin’.
I’m no David Gyngell or Kerry Stokes or ghost of the great Goanna, but surely if you want to get people watching the thing – and for a television station you’d assume that’s their prime indeed only reason for existence – shouldn’t it be on all the time? Or at least a lot?
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
The Big Bash League in the summer, that sucker’s on every night. That’s the beauty of it. Come prime time in summer you pop the top off a tinnie and sit back and get entertained.
Channel Nine makes you think summer is cricket. Those people are experts at drumming up interest.
But the Rugby League World Cup is on intermittently on Seven’s digital channel 7Mate which is 188 on the Fox machine, and I struggled to find it. And when I did I turned it on Thursday night at 8:30 and there was Tommy Lee Jones in Captain America.
Content is king, they say, and Channel Seven’s league content in prime time Thursday night was Captain America.
Then in the ads there was a ‘Seven Sports Update’ – feasting on the nation’s love of the punt – which mentioned Pinot winning the Oaks, an oft-concussed St Kilda player riding a mountain bike, and Timmy Cahill jogging lightly on his ankle in Honduras.
Rugby League World Cup? Not a Lebanese sausage.
Anyway. I dunno. Maybe it’ll get sexy soon. Maybe England versus New Zealand, Tonga versus New Zealand, Lebanon versus Australia will pump the nads and have the media – and through them we the nation – excited.
But it’s all a bit… what’s that word the kids were using on the Twitter for a bit?
So far it’s all a bit myeah. Or meh. One of them.
Katipo
Guest
The merger of league and union would happen if league applied to join World Rugby. How good would that be? But it will never happen due to egos. One thing people say is that league attack and defence is better than union. Kangaroos are awesome players but I don't buy that about the sports. 15 man rugby is hard. I would like to see a 13 man Kangaroos play a 15 man all blacks to demonstrate just how much stronger both the attack and defence are with 15 a side. And if there is a Super Footy merger of codes (or AB 'roos exhibition) let's go with rugby union rules, 13-a-side, and just get on with it. That's my 2 cents.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
It's such a good idea and covers so many bases. One of the big positives as I see it, is a meaningful exposure to professionalism for the lower tiers.
Mitcher
Guest
Exactly it’s irrelevant. Enjoy it or don’t. Unless you’re a football (soccer) then all world cups are a joke. Just enjoy it.
Mitcher
Guest
As neither a rugby nor league disciple. I can verify terry has just made the most dense, nonsensical argument in the history of this fine forum.
Are you serious?! It was $140 for a ticket! Well, I love live footy, but I wouldn't have paid that either.
:D Now THAT'S entertainment!
Nat
Roar Guru
In a perfect world both scenarios would be ideal. However, it is an expensive risk for Sydney to host so many games. Face it, if Sydneysiders cannot come out to support their club - especially in the finals, why are they going to turn out for the minnow games. 10k attendance in Townsville isn't great but it is better than 10k at a cavernous Alliance. Although PNG and NZ are getting good crowds. We wouldn't have had the same atmos in Sydney for the Tonga Samoa game so credit where credit is due. If we are going to continue t call it 'the heartland' the people need to show support and get there. Australia is playing tonight, Saturday night, so I would hope for 30k if the fans want to send a message.
Big Daddy
Guest
If you look at 1968 world cup held in Sydney. There were 4 teams with 7 matches for a total of 220k in attendance. First group match Australia v great Britain was 68k. Taking into account sydney population was half what it is today you have to scratch your head and say what is happening.Obviously no tv coverage in those days but today's sporting spectator doesn't have the interestingly used to have despite 100's of millions of dollars going into the game. As Pauline said "please explain".
Big Daddy
Guest
I am a big RL fan but the people running this world cup have no idea about programming or understanding the australian culture. A professional marketing company should have running this instead of officials who mean good .
AussieIrish
Guest
I see he and his other IDs (sorry mates) are still at it. Why are not the Roar moderators doing something about this person?
WilsonDeeWhy
Guest
Sick to death of hearing insular NRL fans bagging the WC. Be excited our sport can hold a WC. I pray that the game outgrows Australia one day. Toronto, New York in the Super League. Powerhouse Pacific teams. One day NRL fans will have no choice but to love the international game.
beepee
Guest
Todd, agreed that your suggestions would be better. But I think much of the scheduling came down to $$$$, and in particular, which cities or regions were prepared to cough up for the privilege.For example, Sydney apparently, didn't want to come to the party, and so were only given two games.
beepee
Guest
Sleiman - yes, run as an adjunct to the main NRL comp, as the FA Cup is in the UK. If I remember correctly, the Amco Cup in the '70's was along those lines - a mid-week knockout cup that included country and interstate regions as well as the main NRL clubs. It produces some surprising results, unearths good footballers, and broadens the games reach and appeal.
Jimmmy
Guest
But we live inside Australia. There is one big Rugby code here and then there is another.
Jimmmy
Guest
Great comment. All else is irrelevant if the game is played with passion and commitment. Everything else is immaterial.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
you do realise what a world cup is right? There is nothing on the line at any world cup during the opening rounds until the semis kick in. I also fail to see how an 8-team world cup would achieve anything, the current one is already struggling for relevance, reducing teams would ensure it's a non-event. I'm all for expanding the tournament to more teams, but perhaps play games during the week so the tournament doesn't drag on too long
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
I get why games are played Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but it makes the tournament drag on a bit, and combined with a few one-sided games, it's a tough sell. I think a better move would have been to play games during the week as well, at smaller suburban grounds. There was barely 5000 fans last night in Canberra, let's make a new rule that Canberra doesn't get any significant sporting event ever again as fans don't support anything there, even the Raiders struggle to get crowds. So basically playing a few games mid week gets the tournament flowing more and reduces the length of the pool stage.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Actually, a proper focus on developing the game internationally has only really been underway since the lead up to RLWC 2008. Prior to that Test football was i intentionally ignored or given lip service as Origin took centre stage. So, despite the existence of a rugby league World Cup since 1954, it has only been in the last decade or so that a concerted effort to improve internationally has occurred. Thanks again Andrew.
Todd Shan
Guest
The organiser in Micheal Brown did a terrible job. Not enough games in Sydney. The whole Penrith debacle was terrible. In Australia, They should have had more games in the heartland where people care. This is how it should have been set up. ANZ Stadium, Sydney (5 Matches: 3 Pool, 1 QF, Final) Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (4 Matches: 2 Pool, 1 QF, 1 SF) AAMI Park, Melbourne (3 Matches: 3 Pool) GIO Stadium, Canberra (2 Matches: 2 Pool) NIB Stadium, Perth (1 Match: 1 Pool) 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville (1 Match: 1 Pool) Eden Park, Auckland (4 Matches: 2 Pool, 1 QF, 1 SF) Westpac Stadium, Wellington (3 Matches: 2 Pool, 1 QF) Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (2 Matches: 2 Pool) Port Moresby, PNG (3 Matches: 3 Pool) I would has the Quarter Finals in Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland and Wellington. The Semi-Finals in Brisbane and Auckland. I would has the Final in Sydney at ANZ Stadium. For the pool stages I would has an opening match at Suncorp Stadium between Australia and England. For Australia's other pool matches I would pick them in Sydney & Canberra. New Zealand play their pool matches Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin. My Pool stage fixture would be: Thursday Night (7pm or 8pm) Friday Night (7pm or 8pm) Saturday Afternoon (2pm or 3pm) Saturday Twilight (4pm or 5pm) Saturday Night (7pm or 8pm) Sunday Afternoon (2pm or 3pm) Sunday Twilight (4pm or 5pm) *All times local My knockout stage fixture would be Qtr Final 1: Friday Night - Sydney Qtr Final 2: Saturday Afternoon/Twilight - Auckland Qtr Final 3: Saturday Night - Brisbane Qtr Final 4: Sunday Afternoon - Wellington SF Final 1: Friday Night - Brisbane SF Final 2: Saturday Night - Auckland Final: Saturday Night - Sydney
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Another negative dig from the lad with nothing worthwile left to do.