It’s a topic many people have been thinking about and it’s come to the point that many have turned away from the game altogether.
I love the game and I can put up with it. Hell, I’ve put up with PG WWE for ten years. Why? It’s an absolute passion of mine. Today the NRL focuses more on business and politics than football to the point people are calling it the National Rigged League.
I’ve been doing a lot of backtracking of the last ten years to see at what point everything started going downhill. I was unable to pinpoint exactly when it was, but I figured out who should cop the flak. I’m not a fan of pointing fingers, but some exceptions have to be made, and I’m blaming the NRL board. So how can we fix this mess?
1. Clean out the board
I that it’s not an easy job. With the rules they make, it’s not simply a case of, “I say we should ban shoulder charges” and that’s it. They need to go through the whole process of why they’re doing it, what they get out of it and how (in their view) the game will benefit from it. The same goes with laws. Can you imagine a world without laws? It would be a miracle to reach your 30s knowing anyone could kill you without any punishment. But back onto the topic, I do give them credit for their ban on players who assault women, but they have a long way to go.
2. Rewrite the rule book
Well, not the entire thing. Keep the basic rules in there; I mean more the things like shoulder charge bans. Considering Billy Slater got off, they should be reinstated, and as for fights, let them kick each other. I sometimes think the reason players get so violent off the field is that they’re so angry in the game, but when they want to hit someone, they’re not allowed to, so they take it away with them. I don’t condone their actions one bit, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this is true.
3. Put Phil Gould in charge
I get that not everyone likes him, but I actually don’t have a problem with him. He’s been involved with the game for 43 years. Since his debut with Penrith all the way to being their general manager, Channel Nine commentator and everything in between. He’s one of the smartest guys involved in the game and he’s been calling to clean things up for ages. Gus, I get you want the game to clean itself up, but rather than wanting it, you’ve got to do it yourself.
Those are my points. I know not everyone may like what I’ve said and I know it’s sour grapes but, Roarers, think like this: do you want to see the game for the rest of your life or see it die? I know I will get heat for this and I accept that, but I love spending those days and nights during the year relaxing watching rugby league.
I’ve had my say, so now it’s your turn.
MikoRebz
Guest
Everything you said is probably true and verifiable but as an American who likes League because it was the first rugby match I saw and for years thought it was just rugby you are blind if you do not see we are being smoked by union. claiming the opposite is counter-productive. The NRL is no longer on basic cable in the US. Our amateur league league drew 275 to the championship game. our union league drew 15,000. An exhibition test match between Georgia and Romania draws bigger crowds than a League World Cup semifinal. Super League attendance in Britain and tv ratings in Britain fall far below the Premiership or even the Pro 12. There is 1 area where league is growing faster than union and that is in the Oz sphere. To say the Kiwi's are even remotely close to as popular as the All Blacks is so laughable it calls into question everything else you said. I love League. It is my summer NFL. I think it is a better game than Union even though I will watch Union internationals like the 6 Nations and TRC. But they need to get rid of the bunker and so some other things to help the game grow. Not rest on our laurels and claim we're bigger than Union
Bradlz79
Guest
Rugby League is “dying”??? Let’s look at some facts here: 1. The NRL (reportedly) signed off on a record $1.8 billion TV deal for seasons 2018 to 2022. That is $350 million per year. 2. State of Origin sold out in Perth and Brisbane this year. 3. WA and QLD Governments are both supporting NRL expansion bids. 4. Rugby League has a TV audience of 850,000 in New Zealand, many of whom are young people under 40. This is in stark contrast to the rugby union TV market in NZ where more than 70% of rugby fans are over 40. 5. Rugby Union is on its knees in Australia. The NRL and AFL have asserted their dominance. 6. The PNG Hunters are building a club that will be ready for the NRL in five years. 7. Perth, Brisbane, NZ South Island, PNG and Fiji all want teams in the NRL. 8. The NSW Government are spending $2 billion on rectangular stadiums; mainly because the business plan is underpinned by the NRL in Sydney. 9. Superleague is expanding to Toronto and, most likely, to Toulouse. New York also want to enter the British Rugby League pyramid. 10. Tonga is rising as a strong international brand. 11. Over 30,000 people attended a Superleague match in Barcelona in May of this year. Toronto Wolfpack regularly get crowds of 8-10K. 12. The UK government injected 25 million pounds into the RFL for the 2021 World Cup to be hosted in England. Is this a sport that is “dying”?
Harold
Guest
All contact sport are losing participants but still have plenty of viewers and then UFC comes along - go figure??
Harold
Guest
Rugby has always been 4th in Australia despite a surge around RWC in 2003. NRL has all the money and all the problems but Rugby seems happy with its niche and just doesn't appeal to a significant demographic in Oz
duecer
Guest
The sad point, which no one really makes, is that the population has increased significantly over the last few decades. Therefore, if a sport is losing a percentage or just standing still, it's popularity in real terms is going backwards. This does not just apply to RL, but to quite a few sports. So while RL has picked up a few niche markets where a handful play the game, like many sports in this global age, it has lost out on significant markets like England, France and Wales where the numbers used to be quite healthy.
clipper
Roar Rookie
Nothing is set in concrete. Who knows what will happen. If you had told someone 30-40 years ago that the most attended team in Sydney would be an AFL one, it would have been met with much scoffing and derision. If you said that Rugby would've fallen as much, a similar response would ensue. League was the dominant sport then, but now Sydney is an all code city.
clipper
Roar Rookie
Right - very, very right - that's the reality - and that's before you get to the other former powerhouse of the game, France.
Kick n Clap
Guest
Wrong ,Very wrong. As Englishman who likes lived in “ RL region” for Forty Two years. What is the problem the game in the UK. Nothing Really. Could be better, but we can all pick faults if want to look hard enough? In England what is the problem? Oxbridge Press, Ox bridge BBC to start off with. Disgrace to say the BBC moved to Salford. Press is absolute Joke with actual fairness to RL? Enough said. Can Stephen Jones come and live on Sydney please & bring his mate Inverdale? What Gould should do. He needs to do what of the NRL brigade don’t do well and that is promote International Rugby League. Tonga absolute Superstars for any Rugby Competition. What is the answer to it all ? RU dies a slow death in Aus. In England SL should not be frightened of any other competition. A Good League Player is always wanted,just like Pacific Islander or African origin ? From my views , They fit well into any Private School in or around a Rugger Town Down South or near London.
Homers Son
Guest
“Who gave Tommy a computer “ ? Love it .
James Ditchfield
Roar Rookie
Ridiculous premise for an article. Firstly, I've never heard it referred to as the 'National Rigged League'. Sounds like you've come up with a headline which you thought would garner attention, without having anything of merit to back it up.
Don
Roar Rookie
Bring back kicking, shoulder charges, biting, gouging...who gave Tommy Raudonikis a computer?
Craigo
Guest
@Jack De B Only two competitions will be dead in Australia in 2-10 years. 1. The A-League 2. Super Rugby NRL & AFL will dominate winter sport like it has for the last 100 odd years.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Let them kick each other?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
He has a 84 year plan though.
tingo tango
Guest
So what are you suggesting at the 20 year period? Do you mean the millions of supporters we have will simply say hey thats ok I will go and watch kit flying instead? What about the clubs that have been around for 100 years do they say hey maybe we will switch to water polo? Seriously it was like when RU went professional and all their supporters were saying that is was going to take over from RL. Use some brains and leave us all alone so we can enjoy the sport that you obviously have some issues with.
Tony_AbbottPBUH
Roar Rookie
I wrote a joke article that was better than this
PGNEWC
Roar Rookie
"the National Rigged League" Oh dear !-- Like me young Adrien is a frustrated Kernigett supporter -- over the last five years we was robbed I tells ya -- it wasn't the teams fault Newie couldn't play footy -- or hold the ball longer than a couple of minutes for that matter-- they're all against us --dont worry young Adrien we 'll do a bit better this year and you can be happy again --- chin up!
Jack De B
Guest
The game has an inability to grow and expand.. I'll give it 20 years max
Bobby Mcgee
Guest
Looks like cronulla were over the cap big time...Title removal on the way
E-Meter
Roar Rookie
Don't forget that Cronulla won a 'soft' comp. That was one of Gould's best.