New Zealand and Wales played the very first rugby league international on Aberdare Athletic Ground on January 1, 1908.
Both of them are in the sport 110 years later but face massive challenges, even though the Dragons played in the 1995 and 2000 World Cup semi-finals and the Kiwis were ranked first in the world for a couple of years very recently.
Their situations are very different but their problem is the same – a lack of money.
In 1907-08, international competition seemed to be the way forward for the 13-year-old Northern Union. They had been isolated for so long and now they had a foreign team to play against, the sky seemed to be the limit.
But the ‘All Golds’ seeded the game in Australia on their way to and from Britain and Sydney soon became the game’s mecca. Australia and Britain, who had robust club competitions supported by a rebellious working class, ensured the sport became club-focused.
The Welsh and the Kiwis always seemed to be on the outside looking in.
It’s worth remembering that Albert Baskerville was a post-office clerk who clandestinely signed up All Blacks for a professional tour before we pass judgement on the Kiwis’ next big match, against England at Denver’s Sports Authority Stadium at Mile High in just under two weeks.
At the heart of NRL clubs’ resentment of the fixture is that a private promoter, Jason Moore, is getting access to players they consider to be theirs, even when on international duty. Yet rugby league largely owes its existence in Australia to one such man.
Rugby league is a sport of ‘chancers’ – and the chancers currently control the loot don’t want any new chancers to buy their way in through the cut-price back door of international competition. It’s perceived as sneaky; rugby league was built on sneakiness.
This is pivotal moment for the Kiwis.
As colleague Brad Walter points out on NRL.com, while England players have been vocal in their support of this match, the Kiwis have been strangely muted.
Their captain was filmed using cocaine a year ago, they lost to a second tier nation for the first and – straight away – second times in their history during last year’s World Cup and they have a new coach trying to install what must be, at least partially, a new culture.
There’s a new CEO, too and players who are eligible for other Pacific countries seem to prefer playing for those countries.
At the time of writing New Zealand had not named a team for the trip to Colorado while England’s squad is strong. It’s going to be an intriguing Kiwi list; over the past 15 years the players have seemed to have way more influence over what happens in black than they do in green, gold, red, white or blue.
Wales is an even sadder fall from grace – last year they beat England at Under 16s level but according to WRL chairman Brian Juliff, the Rugby Football League – charged with running rugby league in the entire United Kingdom – gives them just Stg25,000 a year.
No, I did not leave a zero off.
The England team in camp would chew through Stg25,000 in two nights, if not one.
This is the point the NRL clubs need to appreciate before they castigate national teams for jumping at the offers of private promoters – a country which played in the very first Test match gets total funding for a year that wouldn’t play your gear steward.
International rugby league needs to be ‘open for business’ to entrepreneurs just to survive – the last thing it needs is powerful, wealthy clubs not only hoarding the cash but then trying to block it from earning a few pennies of its own.
Peta Hiku in the haka for New Zealand. (NRLPhotos/Nathan Hopkins)
International rugby league is only the cut-price back door into ownership of rugby league’s IP because you have neglected it for so long. It’s your fault they’re poor and will go to America for $500,000, a price that you would laugh at. You held them back.
“Sometimes you think you’re banging your head against a brick wall because people aren’t looking at the big picture,” says Juliff, who played twice against the 1982 Kangaroos.
“They’re looking at themselves.
“What I’m trying to say to people is … unless they put more money in, we’re going to lose 100 years of history.”
Big daddy
Guest
If we're supposed to be growing Pacific island market why are these matches not being played in the home countries of these nation's. Sure we have a large islander population in Sydney but surely the people of thlose nation's deserve to get to see their team play at home. Also when was thethe last time nz played australia at home.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The NRL did not exist when Mike Mayer was involved.NRL came in post SL War. Try again Alfred,with a more discrete whopper.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Alfred appears oblivious to the fact, NRL fans actually watch the NRL and SOO on aops. The SOO1 was also win for Nine's 9Now streaming service,with the total 6.6million viewing minutes ,making it 9Now's biggest ever live streaming event. Origin dominated on social media on Wednesday night, becoming a trending topic on twitter in 8 countries and 46 cities ,and trending at No2 worldwide. The SOO1 was the no 1 program in the 5 major cities not just in the traditional rl markets of Sydney and Brisbane.It resulted in a 15% increase in TV viewership compared to gam one last year. His last para unsurprisingly ignores the fact, there have been clean sweeps and dead rubber games in SOO.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Cool story Alfred. 50 years ago. Cool story.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Thanks for that elaboration Alfred. Yes I was wrong. I admit it. After round 9 afl ratings had dropped 13.9% nationally. My humble apologies. As for watching footy on apps you may be surprised to know people who follow other codes than afl do that as well! Whodathunk? As for the rest of your post - pure speculation.
duecer
Guest
It's an interesting discussion, the popularity of sport around the world. One tends to focus on western sports and less so on Asia and other developing countries who don't have the big money tv rights and who have many other concerns and therefore limited grant money. Is a world cup worth more than the Olympics or Commonwealth games? Would you place a higher emphasis on attendance and participation or on viewing and dollars made, when, as mentioned one favours the west.
Alfred
Guest
JK, If you are going to quote quote accurately. 13 % drop in AFL TV ratings is Melbourne only but doesn't take into account app watching. The AFL have not had many blockbusters whereas NRL has used up all theirs (pre SOO) and have additional Thursday night games. Lets see where we are in September. Any betting Qld win SOO2 although Channel Nine win either way as a NSW 2-0 win would be good for ratings. Amazing how its NSW turn for 2 games and yet they get game 2
Alfred
Guest
remember Mike mayer who was going to start RL big in the US in the 60's/70's - the NRL are still chasing the money.
The Barry
Roar Guru
You’ve done it again ?
Jacko
Guest
Thanks for the personal insults THE BARRY Next time us 6yo children will have to think exactly like you do or grow up....Humble apologies....
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Clumps still getting over the 13.5% drop in afl viewers this year cc.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
That's why i suggested rl in the top 20.Don't; know whether netball gets a TV deal like the ESL in the UK.Or has semi pro teams in France/PNG/Wales.Or gets decent grants from the European commission. Nice try though Clip,keep working at it. I stated it's a combination of TV deals/crowds/Foreign Govts' recognition and providing grants,pariticipating countries,.World Cups and income and Govt monies supporting such events.On that basis rugby league has some traction Internationally within the top 20. . Your analogy by comparison with walking ,an individual pastime or indeed including fishing is ludicrous..Only serves to prove the point, you continually look for negatives in rugby league and for no other reason. The day I see you contribute to general discussions on the NRL,may well change my view.Until then.........
clipper
Guest
Sorry, Crosscoder - forgot Netball, that would be another ahead, and important in terms of Women's sport. Different metrics support different peoples arguments - is TV money more important than attendance or participation for example - would walking be classed under most other sports as it gets very little TV income? - who sets the weight of each of these characteristics?
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
It's pretty obvious, via the historical negativity toward rl , when you post.You just need the opportunity and it tends to revolve around rl Internationally. Rugby league doesn't have to be included as an Olympic sport, to have popularity. TV deals/and semi pro or pro teams playing in different countries have some bearing. Netball is not listed as an OP sport and it's very popular.Neither is American Football FHS. I repeat one more time ,its the total package, of TV deals, semi pro and pro teams,World cups and spread of countries,that has to be considered.Even allowing for situations where the sport is struggling in a couple of countries. Even U19 rl Internationals now being played in Europe all impact.The European union Sport's Commission seem to agree ,the code is making some inroads.Else they wouldn't be handing out grants.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
And you’re at it again crump! You sad negative little man.
woodart
Guest
perhaps you should get out more. due to the self-interest and inward looking efforts of sydney league, sorry nrl, the game of league IS looking pretty bleak. it is dying here in New Zealand, and since the warriors have been in existance, provincial league has gone backwards at an alarming rate. this bi*ching about a test match reminds me of the nonsence over last years league world cup . the future of league(if it does have a future) lies in the international game, not meaningless games between campbelltown and wollongong. league is losing many of its top players to rugby, and one of the main reasons is the inability to progress. trips to newcastle and canberra, or trips to capetown and buenos aires. sbw walks down a street in tokyo or paris and is recognized, and it sure isnt because he played for the roosters.
clipper
Guest
What's negative - I give a list of sports with a higher profile and you're welcome to disagree - whether you're right according to your metrics is another story. Most of those sports mentioned are played in many countries, those that aren't like American Football, have huge TV contracts. Many are played at the Olympics, league isn't even listed as an Olympic sport.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It’s not that you disagree with me that I told you to grow up. It’s that you create your own statement, attribute it to me and then argue with it. Because we have different opinions you’re assuming I’m saying the exact opposite to you which isn’t true. It’s quite literally the debating technique of a six year old. You’ve done it here again. Try reading what I’ve written and responding to that instead of inventing your own comments, attributing them to me and arguing with yourself. In other words, grow up.
The Barry
Roar Guru
What about playing the world club challenge in the US? Have three teams from Aus/NZ vs three from UK billed as “World Series” type event. Give players sufficient time to train, prepare, acclimatise and market the game, do media. Time to fly in and out with adequate recovery time either side of the game. Doesn’t interrupt the NRL season.
Jacko
Guest
Barry why the insults? A comment disagrees with you and all you have is "grow up"? Is growing up giving control to the clubs over NZ or any other nations players but allowing Aus to play SOO any time they want is it? Grow up Barry and look at the whole picture