With the official withdrawal of Australia and New Zealand from this year’s World Cup, I am now left with more questions than answers.
As far as I’m aware, the World Cup organisers and the UK government have every intention of going ahead with the tournament whether or not these two nations participate, but could this lead to other competing nations electing to withdraw now that Australia and New Zealand have?
Should the World Cup even go ahead without the two best rugby league nations competing?
What about NRL players who elect to represent other countries? Will they still be allowed to play in the World Cup for those nations if they please?
What do Australia and New Zealand do in the meantime?
Well, I’ll provide my opinion on those questions but that could very quickly change as I’m willing to bet more developments about the World Cup will take place over the next few weeks.
Should the World Cup go ahead without Australia and New Zealand? Yes.
But under the condition that the remaining southern hemisphere nations (Pacific Islands and Jamaica) will stay committed to participating.
Jason Taumalolo for Tonga. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
If these nations elect to pull out, I would postpone the tournament to a time where all nations are comfortable competing. But as it stands, they should play on without Australia and New Zealand.
Obviously, there would be questions about the legitimacy of the tournament but I believe if select nations choose to withdraw at their own accord while the majority of other nations are happy to participate, the consequences should be reflected on the ARL and NZRL, not the rest of the competing nations.
So, play on without them, and heck, don’t even put an asterisk next to this World Cup. The Australian Rugby League and New Zealand Rugby League pulled out of their own accord they should accept the consequences of that – being they lose the privilege to attempt to win the World Cup.
Secondly, what about NRL players who wish to represent other nations? Now, as long as those players are comfortable participating in the World Cup given the conditions of COVID in England, they should be allowed to regardless of the NRL’s request.
After all, the ARL and NZRL pulled out not the NRL, so the Pacific Island nations in particular should not be punished for Australia and New Zealand’s decision. Again, only at the players’ discretion; if the players don’t want to participate, don’t make them.
Finally, what do Australia and New Zealand do? Will these two nations play Test matches down here in the meantime or will they just have a break?
Perhaps a three-match Test series between Australia and New Zealand in New Zealand would be a nice reward for the Kiwis, given their lack of rugby league over the last couple years.
But based on the ARL and NZRL’s cited reasons for withdrawal, they perhaps should just allow the players to take a break.
What happens now is, well, a question for the rugby league gods, I suppose.
But based on the current information we will have the first Rugby League World Cup in history without Australia and New Zealand.
Sceptic
Guest
At the risk...postponing it.to next year where it would be overshadowed by the football world cup would make it look more ridiculous than it already does. 'World Cup' is a bit of a stretch. If Australia and NZ aren't in it, who's left? Jamaica, the Rugba League powerhouse...
TA
Guest
Given that Covid will be with us for sometime why not get some agreed parameters around this type of event i.e. an agreed percentage of public vaccination, 100% player vaccination, bubbles ( I suppose) etc. I can also see where teams (not just league) will have staff dedicated to all things Covid, a bit like a communist party official of days gone by.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
At least the Premier League isn't on! That's probably bigger over there.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
The World Cup of Rugby league ranks pretty low on the food chain so postponing it to me is the only option. If the Olympics can do it so can the IRL. Maybe it's a money thing that they lose too much if it doesn't go ahead. Australia and NZ may not be there but if it does go ahead I'm sure there will be Australian players participating but who for and from what competitions.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
So if Australia don't send a team and Tedesco decides he wants to play for Italy is he eligible for Australia in their next international . This comes down to the old eligibility rule once again. Players that were going to be picked may decide to go and I use Tedesco as the test case .
Clancy
Roar Rookie
Dave I think it's quite insulting to suggest I want to play with people's lives simply because I want a sporting event to take place when others have been doing so without major covid ramifications for the affected community. Look I can agree I think the UK government's attitude towards covid is extremely poor and I hope they change tune soon. Obviously if evidence suggest that these sporting events could not go ahead cause they are too much of a danger of spreading the virus in the community then yes cancel them and wait for a safer time, but again plenty of sporting codes have shown the events can still take place. Whether or not that's with crowds or playing all games at a single stadium or what is a decision for world cup organisers and UK government to make. But as we have been saying many sporting events have taken place without harming the community so we simply ask why is it so hard for us to do the same especially when many players are happy to go ahead with this world cup.
Dave
Guest
Clancy Look tbh I’m done with this now. There are obvious heightened risks with it being in England, if you’re ok playing with peoples lives then that’s sweet, I’m not. Sure there’s the added benefit of NRL pre season etc but you’re just being petulant to suggest it’s the only reason & the outrage that some sport event may/may not go ahead because is just childish, stop being a Karmichael Hunt, pull your head in and let it run it’s course. It’s trying times for everyone, grow up.
matth
Roar Guru
That's true, except that a 25 million pound grant from the UK government would possibly be in jeopardy and the English game simply cannot afford to pass up that kind of money. Popstponing to next year bumps into the football world cup, among other things
Clancy
Roar Rookie
While that is sensible I think the bigger concern for world cup organisers is the media coverage in England as I'm confident that in the weeks leading up to the soccer world cup, the english sporting media is going to be entirely focused on how their team is gonna go at that world cup given the huge popularity of soccer in england.
Clancy
Roar Rookie
Dave as a major fan of international rugby league I care, because I love rugby league and want to see the game flourish. Now if the majority of players were opposed to the world cup out of fears for their safety then yes postpone or even cancel it, but more and more evidence is being released to suggest that many players are still comfortable competing and abiding by the protocols in place. The ARLC and NZRL have made a decision that is against what the players want, without consultation and say they're doing it for them when really it would seem they are more concerned about how this will impact the NRL. Also your comment about a government not requiring a referendum for every decision they make is flawed, as the players didn't vote the NRL and ARL officials into power and don't get to vote for someone else in 3 years time, so if the administration are making decisions that directly impact players they should be consulted.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
They have high vaccination rates, but hospitals are currently filling up fast. It's hard to believe that restrictions won't return.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
The football world cup starts 23 November 2022. The RLWC was scheduled to end 27 November 2021. So it would only need to be brought forward a week.
Fred
Guest
It is a fake reason because the sticking point for Australia all along has been that it was going to eat into the preseason due to the requirement for 2 weeks quarantine on return afterwards. They were concerned about the NRL preseason. Trust me, if the NRL got revenue from the world cup they would be 100% behind it. If the Wallabies can tour the UK later this year, there's no reason the Kangaroos shouldn't be able to as well.
Fred
Guest
Only 1 country from the Americas was eligible, and Jamaica beat out Canada and the US for the single spot.
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Dave
Guest
I know it’s not a government decision :laughing: I can’t tell if you’re purposely trolling and going off on tangents or wether you genuinely struggle to understand basic examples :laughing: :laughing: Why is it a fake reason just because they didn’t consult players? It’s all a very “all or nothing” approach with you isn’t it. No middle ground or anything
Fred
Guest
The Rugby League Players Association (i.e. the footy players union) is saying NRL players should be able to represent other countries besides Australia and NZ if they wish.
This is not a govt decision. People from Aus including many polititions are going OS at present. They cited player welfare as the reson without even discussing it with them. Thats a fake reason they have grabbed on to. If they cancell all NRL games for player safety I will believe them.
Fred
Guest
They are opening up precisely because they have such high vaccination rates, and their vaccination rates (including players) will be even higher still by the time the RLWC is on later in the year. And if there is a concern, the players can still be put in a bubble.
Michael Carbone
Guest
Fred the global powerhouse of Cook Islands did qualify hahaha. Canada came nowhere near qualifying they need way more Aussies