Over the next couple of months, we’ll find out if rugby league has really made any lasting progress since the 2017 World Cup.
The tournament in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea wasn’t very successful financially – the profit was roughly 65 per cent of what was forecast – and since then, the promoter of the 2025 World Cup in North America has found himself in debt to two of the Big Three national leagues.
With the NRL grand final run and won and Super League’s decider less than a fortnight away, the ‘focus’ is on international football. I use quotation marks because a very large part of the game’s Australian demographic will never care – which is one of the main reasons for the failure of last year’s tournament.
But, since this time last year, we’ve seen Tonga emerge as a transcendent property which the sport has struggled to accommodate within its existing structures, and Aussie players needing to take pay cuts in order to play against the Mate Ma’a at Mt Smart Stadium on October 20.
Another thing that has changed is the Rugby League International Federation no long has just one employee, but three. That should enable it to be more sophisticated in its day-to-day operations.
Can international rugby league grow? (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
The sport has been recognised by Sport Accord, after a long fight. In theory, this should make it easier to access funding in myriad countries.
The Kiwis themselves have an opportunity to get back to an even keel after a disastrous World Cup. They host Australia in a match which should turn a profit – even if outdrawn by the Tonga game a week later – and play three big northern stadiums on their trip to Britain before returning via France.
After swamping a young Kiwis side in Denver and losing the World Cup final by only six points, Wayne Bennett-coached England can fairly be expected to account for an improved Kiwi team under Michael Maguire.
But with his Brisbane days officially numbered, will Bennett stay in charge until England hosts the 2021 World Cup? He famously said coaching Australia is not a full-time job – perhaps, by default, coaching England will be.
In Sydney, the Emerging Nations World Championship is currently underway, featuring the likes of the Solomon Islands, Turkey, Greece, Hong Kong, Japan, Malta, Niue, Philippines, Poland, Hungary and Vanuatu.
These teams, for the first time, are attracting commercial attention from merchandisers and live streamers. They are emerging properties – even though the tournament itself will lose money.
The upcoming European Championships will help decide World Cup spots too – but Spain are hosting Russia in Valencia this Saturday as part of the road to that tournament.
Only five World Cups ago – 22 years – there was no qualifying tournament because not enough countries played the game. Now, there is a whole tier trying to gain entry to the qualifiers, which Chile will achieve when they square off with the United States, Canada and Jamaica next month in Jacksonville.
This is not the rugby league you saw at ANZ Stadium on Sunday. This is a little know spec on the sporting map that ranked behind Kettlebell, lifting Dodgeball and table dancing in the queue to ta gain official recognition.
And it’s a group of people who are quite happy to be present at the ground floor as that building grows, one storey at a time.
Pickett
Guest
Toronto Wolfpack played London Bronco's in Canada before a ground record crowd of 9200, PNG played PM13 in a sold out stadium in Port Moresby and some semi finals in the Super League in England just over the weekend. Just some info for the 'League is only played in 2 Aust states' brigade.
Matt H
Roar Guru
Why do we call the Wallabies the Australian rugby union team when only two states care? And only the private school old boys in those states? See, it works both ways.
Daz
Roar Rookie
Do you honestly believe anybody in Australia cares a hoot about rugby anymore?
Daz
Roar Rookie
Are you bored with rugby, mate? I can certainly understand why.
Daz
Roar Rookie
And southern england for the rugger chaps?
Ringo Bingo
Guest
Thankyou MM much appreciated.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Thanks for the info Justin.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Just laugh at him and report his posts.
peeeko
Roar Guru
Beni, stealing too much of the worlds oxygen
Magic Mike
Roar Rookie
Its online..... digicel tv wan.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Depends on your point of view. Watching the game expand, even slowly, is a great joy to a lot of us. Obviously it isn’t for you. Each to their own.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
I can handle it Adam but thanks for your concern!
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Thanks mm. I wasn’t able to find that.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
We do it because it helps you learn to moderate your behaviour in accordance with acceptable social standards. It’s taken two years and you are a slow learner but kudos to you for persevering. You are nearly there!
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
For those interested the emerging nations is streamed on Facebook and BarTV. Best game today is Hungary v Vanuatu imho. I had the fortune of meeting a bunch of Vanuatu players in that country on a pacific cruise a couple of years ago. Extra keen lads and they love the game. Things like this are terrific for the development of the game!
Magic Mike
Roar Rookie
PNG is playing Australia this saturday 6th of September at the nfs port moresby. Live on tv wan action.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Quite the opposite. The fact you are trying so hard to annoy people within such strict limitations is the most admirable thing you have done here.
Punch Chewashun
Guest
You missed placing a comma after "world" and a comma after "here". Also, earlier, you didn't place a comma after the word "capitalised". However, you did place an unnecessary full stop after the four question marks --- champ.
Adam Elliott
Roar Rookie
This comment has been removed for breaching The Roar’s comments policy.
Adam Elliott
Roar Rookie
This comment has been removed for breaching The Roar's comments policy.