The rugby league world is a bit like the sport of water polo.
Spectacular and dynamic above the surface. Below the waterline a different battle rages, complete with kicking and thrashing of legs and the odd ‘sneaky’ tactic.
The NRL Rep Round was an unmitigated success. There was something for everyone on the weekend. Thrilling men’s and women’s Origin encounters – particularly if your preferences are Blue – and a feast of international matches.
The 2017 World Cup triggered a surge of interest in international rugby league. Tonga and Papua New Guinea in particular won the hearts and minds of the rugby league community. Rugby league is making concerted efforts to capitalise on the increased focus.
Lebanon was a revelation at the World Cup. For many fans outside of Australia it was their first glimpse of the Lebanese Australian community’s involvement in rugby league. They have embraced the 13-a-side game in numbers across Sydney.
In the lead up to Lebanon’s match last Saturday there were more accusations and threats than an episode of The Sopranos.
Veteran Robbie Farah’s criticism of NRL clubs following a few high profile players making themselves unavailable for the Cedars international match was spot on.
If handed the opportunity to play Origin on the same weekend I have a feeling those same players would have had no hesitation in indicating they were ready and willing to don the jersey.
Robbie Farah with Lebanon in 2017 (NRLPhotos / Gregg Porteous)
If the game is to genuinely expand beyond the heartlands, the clubs and players must give international rugby league the respect and support it deserves.
Last week the stated intent by players to cover up the Lebanese Rugby League Federation logo with tape during the game in protest at the governing body, was met by a counter threat involving prosecution, with mention of fines, suspensions and even imprisonment.
There was some discussion of players boycotting the game, thankfully avoided after RLIF CEO Nigel Wood stepped in and promised to assist in mediation of the domestic dispute with the governing body in Lebanon.
The public spat gave fans in Australia a glimpse into how sinister and difficult the world of international rugby league development can be.
Following the 2017 World Cup success, that saw Lebanon eventually defeated by just two points in the quarter-final against Tonga there was genuine optimism about their domestic competition and the potential heights the game might reach.
As Farah pointed out in the last two years there has been little or no domestic rugby league activity. The current Lebanese Federation Board have been accused of not capitalising on the 2017 World Cup success.
There is a lack of detailed information available to make a judgement on why this lack of progress has eventuated. At one time the country boasted an eight team competition that included university teams. A glance at the Federation’s website provides no evidence of current domestic activity. There have been suggestions of ghost clubs being set up by the Federation.
Former Lebanon Rugby League Federation President Mohamed Habbous who stood down after the World Cup was interviewed by Roar colleague Steve Mascord in early 2018 said
“After this (2017) World Cup, we started getting the support. We had sponsors from Australia who wanted to support the development of the sport in Lebanon. Even the Sports Ministry recognised what we’ve done for the country and they started to give some support to the whole thing.”
In the same interview Habbous mentioned individuals “who are there for their own personal gains” trying to take over the federation from Sydney.
Mitchell Moses of Lebanon at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup (NRLPhotos/Robb Cox)
What exactly went wrong in the last two years is a mystery to outsiders. It is clear there is support on both sides of the fence.
Since 2017 the Federation has endured having an official stood down indefinitely for ‘conduct prejudicial to the sport,’ elected a new board and recently appointed a new CEO.
After the 58-14 loss to Fiji, Cedars coach Rick Stone indicated to the media that the key to the resolution of conflict within the Cedars organisation was building a strong domestic competition in Lebanon. He was confident of that happening with the RLIF stepping in.
Let’s hope his optimism is not misplaced. At the very least it will be difficult to take the competition back to previous levels given the long hiatus.
If there is no domestic competition Lebanon will potentially lose their 2021 World Cup spot and access to funding as a ‘Full Member’ through the international federation. One country official commented that the funding difference between ‘Affiliate’ and ‘Full’ membership is being able to appoint a full time development officer.
Across the Mediterranean in Greece, the RLIF accredited Greek Rugby League Association is still campaigning to have their World Cup qualifier against Scotland played at home in Athens. The GRLA is not recognised by the Greek Government and has endured threats, intimidation and legal action in the last three years for daring to run a rugby league competition in Greece.
Experience tells me that 99 per cent of people involved in developing rugby league are in it for the right reasons. Hard working volunteers that often tip their own money into the game in the absence of significant sponsorship or funding.
The opportunists that see the new sport as a vehicle for power and greed are a small minority but also have the ability to cause major damage.
Teams such as Greece, Italy and Lebanon – albeit down the track – will have to deal with smaller pools of heritage players under the ‘grandparent’ eligibility rules.
Italy take on Wales. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Strong sustained domestic competitions would go some way to softening the impact.
Despite having an ability to provide spectacular international contests, rugby league is still relatively small fry on the world stage. Progress requires the full support of the NRL and staunch leadership from the international body.
NRL Rep Round is just what the doctor ordered to showcase and promote international rugby league in the region. We must ensure the internal mechanisms sitting underneath are equally as healthy.
Big Daddy
Guest
That's the kicker Stuart, If the second tier countries like Lebanon, Italy U.S. keep picking NRL and fringe and heritage player's there's no incentive for home grown player's . But in saying that should it be up to RLIF and super league to control the northern hemisphere and NRL to control the southern. I would love to see NRL and fringe player's go and play for Lebanon and Italy in their home international s but would they and would the clubs let them. That's the beauty of soccer , they have an international weekend and every major league stops for it.
alf
Roar Rookie
I agree with evrything you say Stuart we are just weakening the pool of players in Australia and the UK, yes I agree its good to see people of differant races wanting to play for the old country, yet as we see in the UK players not selected to represent England are now jumping ship and trying to find a relation who came from Scotland, Ireland or Wales, it seemed a few years ago if your Grandad drank Guiness or went to Wales for a holiday, anyone with a Mac surname was Scotish. the situation in Greece and Lebanon is a great worry for the sport where it seems both governments a re showing such discrimination that it verges on human rights, in Greece it is certainly illegal if we refer to the European charter for equal sporting oportunities. All these countries must work to improve their own national competitions to be recognised as viable for international competition
Pickett
Guest
Apart from the Fiji/Lebanon game, the rep matches were pretty competitive. If Tonga had Maloney, I reckon they could have beaten NZ. PNG were on the cusp of regaining momentum. They done good against Samoa stacked with NRL players.
Jacko
Guest
Super rugby doesnt do that anymore...This season the first of the new system where they finish the season next weekend then go to the RC in late July....my biggest problem with the tests over the weekend is that the sides are only put together to create some fake entertainment.....Tonga had 1 Tongan born player and thats a disgrace for an international side.....I was very disappointed that the NZ/Tonga game had an Aus reffing team...Aus commentators...Aus half time analysts and not a Kiwi or Tongan ex player in site.....International may have a future but silly decisions like that put people off
Jacko
Guest
BA the possibility of getting injured should have no bearing on the availability....Cleary got injured playing SOO so sport is cruel sometimes.....
Stuart McLennan
Expert
You are correct it is difficult issue and there is no one size fits all solution to the problem. The sport is not big enough to have international weekends like football where there is an agreed release of players from clubs but I suppose that’s the dream. The other dream is having domestic competitions that can supply players to developing nations and still be competitive against other nations at the same stage of development.
Stuart McLennan
Expert
Lolohea from Leeds played for Tonga off the top of my head.
Big Daddy
Guest
If England were playing an international while an NRL club round was on would an NRL club release them. All 3 need to be on same page. If it was an Oceania Cup round maybe Cook Islands should have playing instead of Lebanon. I have no beef in Lebanon playing matches but their team was made up of NRL and heritage player's because of weekend off. If Lebanon were playing a match in the middle east would NRL club's and 2nd tier club's release them to play overseas. There is no easy solution but if they want the game to grow locally and overseas there must be a compromise.
Big Daddy
Guest
The question is who is running the Oceania Cup, the RLIF or the NRL. To me the RLIF have no jurisdiction over NRL club's releasing or not releasing the players. If it was truly an international weekend were there any Super League players involved over the weekend. This is where all 3 bodies need to sort out who's available and who's not available. I don't think they will all agree.
Stuart McLennan
Expert
The Cook Islands also had a World Cup qualifier against South Africa to play.
Tania
Guest
The Cook Islands had a world cup qualifying match on Friday 21st against South Africa which was only live streamed. The score blew out to 66/6 to the Cook Islands. This young team would have beaten Lebanon and given Tonga a good run for their money as they did in the 2015 qualifying game. The release of players for international duties should be a mandatory part of the players contract with any club. No club would deny an Australian player the right to play in Origin or for Australia but they stop indigenous players playing for their country of heritage in a world cup qualifier game because they deem the game unimportant. The attitude towards Tier 2 teams is extremely poor from the NRL clubs and indeed stops of the growth of the game from an international perspective. Tier 1 teams and their players are hugely rewarded for their participation in international matches however the lower grade national teams do not have the same remuneration system. NRL talks about growing the game and I am unaware of any financial support it gives to any of the Tier 2 nations who do not have well organised financial national organisation. Creating a level playing field is what is needed giving all teams equal opportunities. #justsaying
Stuart McLennan
Expert
What was highlighted was the activities played out in th media going on or not going on behind the scenes with Lebanon. Not whether they are a heritage team or not.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
I was including Origin when I was talking about the rep round. My opinion is it does more harm than good for the NRL. But it is just my opinion, I get that some enjoy it, but it all seems to be about players making more money now and less about tribalism. Players would play for any state that picked them if the cheque cleared (again, just my opinion). The NRL is a professional league and it lets its players play in meaningless games in the middle of the season that risk injury. Why?
Fred
Guest
But even if the international matches weren't on, Origin still would have been on and starving the NRL of oxygen. Even when it's on a Wednesday and club matches are still on, Origin is all the media cares about. The international matches bring in extra rugby league for fans who are bored of Origin.
Fred
Guest
They are indeed taking them to Fiji, PNG, Samoa and Tonga from next year. https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/06/19/pacific-nations-to-host-future-tests-in-new-10-year-rolling-calendar/ Lebanon's inclusion followed their success at the 2017 world cup and the fact I guess that they have no closer neighbours up to their standards. If Greece, Turkey and Malta can improve that will change. They are definitely not there to 'make up the numbers', as their presence means the Cook Islands misses out. The Cook Islands had a strong team at the last Pacific Test, when they played PNG I believe.
Big Daddy
Guest
To me this weekend of international matches are dominated by heritage player's and are always played in Sydney for the fans of those teams and no one else. Why isn't the RLIF taking these matches to Fiji. PNG, Samoa and Tonga. Exactly why are Lebanon there, just to make up the numbers as they are certainly not a Pacific island team. And what involvement does the NRL have. Yet we promote these matches and turn our back on the city country matches which were part of our culture. Rugby league is struggling in the Bush despite all hype about supporting grassroots football. I think some of the clubs do more for the country leagues more so than the NRL. As CRL is now part of NSWRL what's next.
Blarry
Guest
Well said BA. It's not to most people's liking. You can't force people to watch International Rugby League and you certainly can't make people enjoy it. I think the TV ratings showed which Rep Game most sport fans watched on the weekend.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Like I said, I had it on, but it didn't engross me. I am not saying you are not allowed to enjoy the game, I am saying it does nothing for me personally and I think the NRL suffers from rep round. Look at this site. Nothing but Origin articles and the odd piece on international games for two weeks and compared to the NRL pieces, very little interaction with about one article a day actually drawing discussion. Meanwhile the NRL has literally come to a grinding halt.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
I agree the NRL needs fewer rounds to make games more important and then you could find a place for your rep footy. You are right Super Rugby gets put on hold - but it hasn't exactly worked out for them.
Fred
Guest
You can't have watched the PNG v Samoa match BA Sports, because that was a gripping contest, with the final score only blowing out in the last ten minutes. For much of the second half it looked like PNG would roll over Samoa. I was way more interested in that match than most club games, and indeed Origin, which is starting to get boring. And the New Zealand v Tonga match generated FAR more rugby league interest in New Zealand than a regular Warriors match does.