What would happen, you reckon, if rather than the never-ending “war” between rugby league and rugby union if the cousin codes just joined up, pooled resources, and took on the common winter footy enemy: Australian Rules?
Oh yeah, and the All Blacks. The dastardly All bloody Blacks.
And the Poms, and Ireland, and the FFA…
And whoever else wants a stoush! Two rugbies! Comin’ at ya!
Not sure how it would work, this great co-joining of codes – this is one of those columns you begin with a premise and then just rip into it.
But what if Rugby Australia and the National Rugby League just went: Stuff it, we’ll join up together and pool resources, and share our everything.
If players signed a contract with one branch of the new Australian Rugby League Union (ARLU) then they could be eligible for the other branch.
The Wallabies could have the pick of league’s best outside backs.
NRL clubs – sucking on a salary cap bolstered by top end of town money – could see how Will Genia might go at No.7 for the Broncos, or David Pocock would go standing in the middle of Brookvale Oval and strangling people with his mighty, ridiculous arms.
(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Israel Folau (almost wrote about him, got too ranty) could play Origin for Queensland and then for the Wallabies in the Bledisloe Cup.
Josh Addo-Carr could run out for the Storm one season, spend the next one travelling the world with the Aussie Sevens boys in prep for the Olympics.
Sam Burgess could have been given time to become an England outside-centre, while still bopping about for the Bunnies.
Fantasy land, perhaps.
No – it is.
But each code has, already, branches of its game.
Union has sevens, 10s and XVs.
League has nines and 13s.
Get ARLU going and its professional employees could turn out in sevens, nines, tens, thirteens and fifteens, depending where they’re picked, and when the World Cups, or Olympics, or Origin, or whatever, whenever, is on.
The Sea Eagles could join up with Norths, Gordon, Manly and Warringah. Share players. Join forces and lobby the politicians to fix up Brookvale Oval for a big bloc.
The Raiders could join the Brumbies. Both clubs could tap the greater resources of “rugby” players in the ACT, Monaro, the Riverina.
You wouldn’t sign with the Dragons or Waratahs or Rebels or Aussie Sevens – you’d sign with ARLU, and then play wherever you felt like, or wherever they picked you.
Women’s footy could work the same way. Would it be worse if it did?
You could still have an NRL. You could still have provincial and club rugby competitions.
It’s just that former combatants and rivals would be all in it together, sharing the love.
My man Mascy – Roar columnist Steve Mascord, rugby league’s last great Believer – says Canadians and Americans, Mexicans and Jamaicans, and many other “ans” don’t see any difference in the rugbies.
There’s slight differences at the tackle/breakdown, restarts, possession. You don’t wear helmets.
But plenty of the disciplines are the same. You catch the ball, tackle, run, kick, pass.
And for an internationalist like Mascy, that’s cool. That’s not something to be threatened by. It’s positive. If people like “rugby”, how much will they like rugby league?
Why differentiate?
You could have, eventually, players like Sonny Bill Williams and Brad Thorne who could just flit back and forth between the codes whenever they felt like it.
And there wouldn’t be so much of a tug-of-war (well, there probably would) but these sort of players would be paid by ARLU’S greater God of Television revenue, and be able to choose the variant of rugby they played, whether it be Origin one year, Olympics the next, Rugby World Cup the one after…
They could play in Japan over the summer, run out for the Roosters in Round 4, crash it up guts for the Blues, go on tour with the Wallabies.
(Photo by Steve Christo – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Yes, you’d have to be really, very good.
But consider all that beautiful depth created by league tapping union players, and vice versa.
That’d be good, wouldn’t it?
Wouldn’t it?
Talented kids wouldn’t have to sign up as “rugby” or “league” players – they’d have open slather. The greater game of “Rugby” – represented in Australia by ARLU – would sign the best players, and then mete them out, depending who wanted them and where they wanted to go.
Granted, I still don’t know how it would work. Thought it might’ve come by now. Money-wise it would take some working out.
Culturally, it would very much take some getting used to.
Ha. There would be people railing against it like Japanese soldiers fighting in the jungle.
Rah-Rahs have been rubbing against Mungos since 1908.
But where’s that got us?
After 120 years of banging heads and squabbling, league’s less international than sumo wrestling while the All Blacks are closing in on superiority over us such that bookies are refusing to take bets about them.
The All Blacks are closing in on $1.00.
Rugby union in Australia is undergoing a deep period of introspection.
Rugby’s a dud. Super rugby, anyway. The Wallabies can’t fill Homebush against the All Blacks.
Rugby league’s international appeal is summed up by the fact that rugby league is illegal in Dubai. If you’re caught rugby league-ing in Dubai they’ll put you in jail in Dubai, which is almost as silly as Folau’s latest superstitious Muppetry, I could have written it, I did not.
Anyway!
If RA and NRL, NSWRL and NSWRU, Broncos and Reds, and all the rest, pooled resources and shared players and money and infrastructure, everything, and took their “products” – sevens, nines, tens, 13s and XVs, men and women – to the television people, and said, “The rugbies, united, will never be divided!”, and so on…
What would happen?
A glorious big pool of Australian “rugby” players to spread amongst all the clubs, states, provinces, franchises and national teams?
Or dogs and cats living together in Hell?
Gen Rose
Roar Rookie
Its not a story CC its the truth! Thats the scary thing about it.. Keep blaming Vichy Crosscoder or the AFLBC with the fumbleballers or Fitzsimmons or Spiro or Offsiders! Everybody so against poor old Rugby League! Atleast you have the pinnacle Qld v Nsw
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Kool story Matt (err Gen Rose),will use material for my next stand up comedy gig. I've now got better things to do .
Gen Rose
Roar Rookie
Crosscoder you aren't getting it? Fellow Expansionists like yourself are buying tickets to the Denver Test to boost ticket sales! No other codes need to do that.i dont know why you keep bringing up Union and AFL in all your comments! How goods the Wolfpack going in Canada! Still needs Mascord to pump it for any recognition. Nearly as good as that Professional Welsh side having a crack at Rugby League getting pumped by 100 and more every week! How goods Rugby League going in Wales?? Although thats Vichys fault hey champion!
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Gen Rose ( the latest alias.) No different than freebies at tests for union in this country.Except it's money in the bank, if anyone does this. Or games at major codes in this country. Let's face it,the Denver test is the first time it's been tried there,so it's anyones guess as to the crowd. It could be a fail or a decent crowd.Time will tell. Remember all the sniping ,when the Wolfpack was supposed to get no one at their local games.Crawled back into their holes.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
It's(irrelevance) in the of the beholder,If you represent your country, your'e doing something few within your sport ATT achieve. In anycase the Poms when watching the Test matches I saw at the grounds in 03 in England,showed up in numbers and showed their appreciation. Also they don't have to bastardise the rules to play another country. One of the most enjoyable trips I've had and enjoyed every game.Mixing with players and fans at social events after. They don;t do Kangaroo tours now ,because of a ridiculously packed local and SOO schedule schedule. Although NZ and the Poms are doing one this year.
Gen Rose
Roar Rookie
Lucky to pay money to watch the most irrelevant Australian national sporting team play Rugby League in England? What a waste of money. I can see why they dont do Kangaroo tours now!
Gen Rose
Roar Rookie
No Crosscoder the pinnacle of Rugby League is between Qld and NSW. You want it to be between Countries but how can you call the Kangaroos Australia when only some people in NSW and QLD care? Did you hear the "Expansionists" of Rugby League are buying tickets to the Denver test even though they cant make it so it tries to boost ticket sales? You dont need to do that in State of Origin do you?
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Speak for yourself Gen Rose( or is it the man with many aliases who appears here) ,and not for the players who have represented in the green and gold. Try telling that to the Smiths,Beetson,Gasniers,Cronks,Slaters,and those who have worn the green and gold.They have been quite open about it.I mean what would they know. Ask the Pommy players and the Pommy press, the day they eventually knock over the Kangaroos. There's a difference between quality and intensity in SOO for two states ,than playing for your country. Maybe if you have been lucky enough to go and watch them on a Kangaroo tour, you'll understand.
Ignoramus
Guest
AFL should do some Russian style underhanded assistance to rugby union to keep the rugby codes nicely at each other's throats. A good even tussle is what they need up in Sydney.
Gen Rose
Guest
Crosscoder the pinnacle of your sport is NSW vs QLD! Dont you dare play it as if its international
clipper
Guest
Crosscoder - that's not really a fair comparison. The Rebels have been mediocre, at best, since their inception. The Storm have been by far the best NRL side for the last couple of decades. Lets compare when the tables are reversed (although I don't hold out much hope for the Rebels ever doing too well) Yoshi (or is that you el blusto) Please don't lie, it only makes you look foolish. I have never been banned from any site (in fact I posted on that site Saturday) and was proved to be correct with the ratings. Please try again.
rugby365
Guest
yeah thats why the world cup in England drew more fans then the 2015 version. oh wait
chris
Guest
If the codes ever get back together then I wonder what the world scene would look like ? like no SR Rugby but Australia have the NRL and maybe 2nd tier NSW comp and Qld comp who could play off for a place in the NRL like Newton v Randwick etc and seeing the likes of Leeds and Wigan play Bath or Toulan would be great even 2nd or 3rd maybe even a 4th tier in the UK with Workington v Otely or Featherstone v Cornish Pirates.
duecer
Guest
Well, yes - having to deal with all the above is certainly rough, without having to deal with the RLIF actively hammering down the nails in the French RL coffin.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Responded already to your post rebel, becoming a tad yawn inducing.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Richo.Appreciate your response.Understand your frustrations, rugby league is a frustrating code on many occasions when it comes to administration. The issue was raised again by Kelly Underwood on ABC Offsiders this morning.The hush money issue was further raised again by a former Sun's player of African background,claiming alleged racial bigotry, and sexual comments.His lawyer brought up if such as such is not met" :He will spell out hush money aspects in the AFL,if the AFL ignore his client's allegations" Elliot admitted such a couple, of decades ago.MacLachlan suggesting it's(the Docker's issue) OK to keep it in house was an appalling comment by a code's CEO. Pretty hard to hush in the NRL these days, with ravenous media. It's not substantial growth in Vic,but growth nonetheless, with little funding to date by the NRL.You are correct it's a ripple in a very big Victorian ocean, and with little publicity also.The $12m Govt contribution was announced by the Govt a couple of weeks ago. The problem has been varied and many for rugby league. 1)Money.Money to assist registrations ,insurance asserting the bush and regionals.General neglect.Hopefully now the code has money ,that will change. 2)No doubt Aus Kick is doing a good job in schools.And there has been the macho problems at junior rl games.But bear in mind in Vic there have been numbers of issues at junior AFL games, with bystanders and even players .Receives little publicity in NSW. 3) The addition of Touch is a masterstroke for the NRL,because it creates a huge non contact participation base for the code.Meaning the opportunity for future fans/officials and the occasional covert to contact in the future. Contact is indeed a big issue when mums rule the roost.The NRL will have a touch comp prior to NRL games, as well as female rugby league. 4) The NRL TBH has been pretty backward in promoting their grassroots game to the public.Lack of co ordination appears to be an issue, and the fact U12 rl is really a safe sport, yet the general impression it's like the NRL proper.it just isn't . 5)The AFL have done a pretty good job of getting councils (with monetary backing)to agree to put up AFL posts on grounds formerly used for the other rectangular codes.And of course getting into private schools is a big plus. 6) The NRL has been frustratingly slow in expansion.When they eventually do, maybe circa 2022 then that will give them a huge boost .It's an easier sell for a code domiciled in all mainland cities ,than a code with residence in only 3. The important thing also for rugby league is to continue to grow the International side, representing ones country is the pinnacle.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Rebel I'm not here to stroke your ego. There has been a 35% increase in penalties in the NRL this year, that is a fact. So a big increase in penalties issued. Now so far this weekend we have had:- Tigers v Cows a total of 10 penalties given yet 1 actual goal Eels v Dogs 16 penalties 4 goals Panthers v Knights 19 penalties 2 goals Warriors v Roosters 21 penalties 2 goals Storm v Titans 20 penalties 3 goals Broncos v Manly 19 penalties 4 goals So out of 105 penalties issued only 16 resulted in goals,and from my observations quite a few of them to keep ahead out of range of the opposition.About 1 in 7 . The Warriors trying to play catch up when given a penalty ,rather than shoot for goal. in particular ran the ball Some teams had little or no penalty goals. Talk about being precious, 1)I mentioned penalty goals part of the discussion.Spelt out clearly what is happening, and reaffirmed it as above. 2) scrums are part of the debate as the thread is about sharing the codes ,Scrums are involved in both,That is fact. 3)Simply stated ,the reasons I mentioned playing other codes, because i'm not coming from a complete side of ignorance. I would if I carried on about AFL.That appears to upset you. 4)Have to report mate, you have neither proven me wrong or bigoted toward ru.If I criticise the NRL at times as I've done am I bigoted toward them?How dare I criticise one small factor scrums, ergo I'm bigoted.And how dare I bring up France 1941 in another post? I don't bother to go on RU threads,I get enough of their fan base traipsing around on rl threads. I have stated from day one, on this site ru officialdom is the one I have distaste for .Not the game, not the overwhelming majority of their fans 5)You need to check the definition of whinging.You appear to be doing a pretty good impersonation of same.If bagging me gets your rocks off ,good luck. I'm really impressed you are easily entertained by a mere layman, may your happiness continue .
Lroy
Guest
I think it would be easier than you think. You keep lineouts and real scrums... 2 points for a penalty, 1 for a conversion. Each team gets 4 tackles from a mark or kick receive (league style) then on the 5th tackle its union rules where players have to clean out etc union style, so there is no direct handover unless you kick it and the opposition mark or gather it cleanly. If the defender knocks on the kick, its another 4 tackles. From that point they get 4 tackles to run the ball back, on the 5th they can either kick or go the pick and drive ala rugby union. Players only have to go back 5 yards not 10. You would get the best of both world, a bit of continuity which league fans would like but with only 4 tackles they'd have to be a bit more imaginative... and there would be no soft turnovers...if you want the ball you have to win it back..the ref isnt jut going to give you the ball. Only question would be how many players.... I suggest 13 Ala rugby league but you could have an extended bench with an extra 2 players cos fatigue will really be kicking in. We would finally get to see the Kangaroos play the All Blacks in a real contest, League fans would love seeing real scrums, and the lineout is a thing to behold once you get used to it. Union fans would appreciate a bit of space for their backs to move during those first 4 tackles. The South Africans French Welsh Irish and Scotts would all get on board..the only mob that wouldnt like it would be their Rugby union... but their rugby league people would go for it. Imagine that, a proper international test calendar at the end of the year?? how awesome would that be??
Richo
Guest
Crosscoder You raise some valid points there mate. I'm oblivious to and haven't read, discussed or heard anything about the 'hush money' suggestions you make. I wasn't aware of any substantial league growth, or Govt funding toward the game in Victoria. So you've enlightened me in that regard. I guess the dominance of the Storm brand in the NRL is slowly putting a ripple in the water. I did get carried away and went off on a tangent in my initial post, which probably came across as a 'code war' rant. To clarify, I don't stand on either side of the fence personally and I love both games. However, I do see only one winner in a 'code war' between the two major footy codes and it comes down to more than just money.
rebel
Guest
More circles. Yes a debating site, I;m debating. Weird huh. This article was also on the union tab funnily enough since its about the two codes sharing resources. I never said that you wouldn't know because you haven't played, so you bring up something that's not relevant to me. I speak for myself remember. I also didn't debate scrums, yet you keep bringing it up. Weird. I don't need to point out your points are wrong as I agree. You keep repeating them when not addressing what I said about the same thing in union. You know, my first comment. People complain about penalties and drop goals in union when there is no real difference between the codes. Never addressed, just straw man arguments. Yes wh1nging, wh1inging that you have a different opinion. I know you do, you are entitled to it, never said any different. I know how debating works, it's what we are doing. The better ones at it actually address the points raised and don't argue straw man ones instead. Finally you triple down on your bigotry, again attacking another code. Something I have yet to do. You have been entertaining though.