The 2017 Rugby League World Cup will leave $7 million in the coffers of the Rugby League International Federation.
They also hope to have a rugby nines world cup in 2019 to increase the profile and profitability of the game – though I’m not sure the creation of a new nines tournament is the only result the game should want from this World Cup.
What is needed is more internationals. Yes, I know I am only restating what many have already said before me; however, this idea is often expressed without a proposal.
So, with my magic wand, here is how a new international rugby league competition would look.
State of Origin matches would move to Monday nights. I don’t think the planned Sunday night will work. Why? It didn’t work early in the 2000s. Not enough is said about the banter that happens around the workplaces and schools on Origin eve and the day following. Moving it to a weekend weakens this connection with the fans.
Having Origin on a Monday would form part of an international weekend, of which there would be three during the regular season.
Games would be played between New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and the Cook Islands. If you wanted to extend this, you could also include other Asia-Pacific nations, such as Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, to name but two. The game is also played in Thailand and the Philippines, and if that makes too many countries, you could break the competition into groups.
Although each country would play three games during the regular season, over a four-year period each team would play a total of 12 mid-season internationals, preferably on a home-and-away basis.
(NRLPhotos/Jeff Crow)
To being with games would be played in neutral venues in Australia or New Zealand. Hopefully over time the host nations would bid for set games. These matches could also double as World Cup qualifiers, with the top-ranked nations qualifying for the following World Cup.
At the same time, Europe would have three international weekends timed along similar lines as the Southern Hemisphere. These games could allow players from the NRL to compete.
For example, if James Tedesco chose to play for Italy instead of New South Wales and Australia, he could do so. This way he is not missing any club games and we are not devaluing the regular season by seeing games with Origin players missing from teams.
If this rule were applied with some of the eligibility regulation changes I highlighted in a previous article, the international teams would start to form real identities.
Ideally you would see the women’s game as a precursor to the men’s. Televising both men’s and women’s matches provides plenty of content for the television networks to present to the audience.
Further, end-of-season internationals would be allowed to take place – the Kangaroos and Lions tours would return. Maybe an Asia Pacific Cup tournament could take place between world cups – I know I would like to see Australia play Tonga, Samoa and Fiji more often.
This type of contest would allow fans to witness more international rugby league. It would allow players to represent their nations more often. It would allow us to experience the passion and pride we have seen from Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa at this world cup.
It would give the game the chance to grow and promote the international elements of the sport. Ultimately, it will provide us with more of the greatest game on earth.
Mark
Guest
Nat, it looks like there will be a full international free weekend next year. Hopefully, in time this will extend to three weekends. So this should assist with the growth of the game in the Pacific. Otherwise, Barcy is going just fine. Cheers.
Birdy
Guest
If we can attract these incredible players to our game then i would call it expansion. RU and NFL have been doing it for decades.
Birdy
Guest
Well Jacko, if you compare our junior development , promotion development and expanding of the game to the AFL then you would have to say we are lacking. However if you compared all of the above to RU then i can understand your question.
Not so super
Guest
You realize that sydney has a large Tongan population that would get big crowds. You really think holding games in tiny tonga is visble. Indie ring it's tiny economy and 100k population?
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
You do know, of course, that international eligibility rules - for all sports - extend no further than a grandparent...
Not so super
Guest
How is playing a few games with heritage players in countries with the population of a small sydney council called international expansion ?
Not so super
Guest
Tonga has a population of 100k, that's huge expansion
Not so super
Guest
They are Aussie and Kiwi Immigration is a wonderful thing
Not so super
Guest
You want a medal ?
Fred
Guest
There were big crowds of Samoans, Tongans, Fijians and Papuans at the Pacific Test this year in Campbelltown.
Fred
Guest
They haven't really taken up union yet either - their national team has ten Kiwis/Islanders in it. Japan is far more focussed on the upcoming Olympics than the union world cup.
Aligee
Guest
Parents have different mind set these days, RL is s tough game no matter what age and big kids whether they are particuarly skilled or not shine, the different sizes at the same age of kids can be truly mind boggling. The safey factor is the biggest factor for parents. The AFL try's to minimise any sort of inequities due to size, which RL just can't do.
Fred
Guest
The Pacific Tests have already attracted big crowds in Sydney (Penrith, Parramatta and Campbelltown) and the Gold Coast. I went to it this year in Campbelltown and it was a great atmosphere.
Fred
Guest
Yeah ratings have been great. For a 'farce' of as tournament as Andrew/Jacko/Tony (the same person) keep telling us it is, I'd love to see the ratings a legitimate tournament would get! As fa as sport goes, these are the kind of ratings that could only otherwise be expected by SoO, the NRL and AFL grand finals.
Big Daddy
Guest
Next rugby world cup in Japan. It will be very interesting to see what attendance figures will be like. Last one in U.K. was 2.5 million.
Fred
Guest
If they consider themselves Tongan what's it matter to you? I can't imagine an internet warrior like yourself actually telling Tongans they're not Tongan.
Fred
Guest
Article's not about the union world cup Jacko.
tonyBBB
Guest
hahaha what absolute spuds. you really think japan will ever take up league. get some medications.
Jacko
Guest
The problem is tho they are not Tongans....They are Australians and NZers....born and bred....Most never even go to their HOMELAND and even less actually do anything in their Homeland so it is a bit of a farce How many Aussies call themselves English/Welsh,Scotish/Irish but thats where they first came from
Jacko
Guest
Why does it have such a history of mismanagement?