Rugby league needs a new name but what can you call it to stand out in football’s confusingly crowded landscape of codes?

Come off it champ. In our interactions I have offered you specific opportunities to elaborate on your absolute statements and every time you took that chance to run off on your own tangent every single time. You debate like a child. You have proven that, despite your verbose (a word I guarantee you googled) replies, higher education wasn’t for you. Case in point: referencing s a noun, citing a press release and now asking me to cite something when you’ve obviously been to my home page to make the statement about my “views”. All my comments are there but you would like me to point you back there? Finally, the GURU status is given for engagement and interaction. I notice you’ve been here for over 3 years and still a Rookie. Says plenty.

“You are happy to put us both in our place.” Thanks for letting us know Guru. That explains your deep seated angst because you have repeatedly failed to do so. I will give you points for highlighting my failure to capitalise “the Kings English”. That was indeed an oversight. See, I acknowledge my mistakes. You are incapable of doing so and you have made plenty. You made one in your last post. I did initially feel sorry for you given that you are forced to defend the indefensible but you don’t debate so much as belittle. Your comments are tantamount to trolling. You, are the one that is full of it. Whatever ……………………….. I’ve got better things to do with my time than read your vitriol. P.S Guru, do you have a reference for me for that 99.9 % claim. :laughing:

Nope. 99.99% of those interactions are good natured conversation with like minded people. You, like shreek, just come on here to spout off your BS and get no interaction. I’m happy to put you both in your place.

“No, you’ve just stumbled out of the aged care centre old fella. You keep shouting at the clouds wishing it was 1955.” and you have the nerve to tell me to grow up. Are we too old or are we too young ? You are a bully Nat and not a very successful one. Seriously, you only have 5.5 thousand views compared to my 8.2 thousand views. You have commented 17k times. Wow, You really need to get a life and give everyone a break from your toxicity.

What did I tell you? One objective - stay on point. You cannot answer simple questions. You have a very basic understanding of the “King’s English” and continue this nonsense in an attempt to dodge facts. I am not sure what you read when I write these very simple 3 sentence replies but you continue to feel the need to write these unnecessarily long replies on topics not requested, have no relevance and especially after you are told to stay on point. Grow up son.

You have made multiple spelling mistakes during the course of this debate and you think that you can lecture me on the correct use of the kings english ? In the context that I used it, a "reference" is a noun. Stop splitting hairs. Do you think I don't know that "reference" can be used as either a noun or a verb ? I copied the page for your benefit not mine Sunshine. Why do you draw a distinction between International Rugby and Club Rugby ? Do you have something to hide ? Why the deflecting yet again ? When was the last time Thugby League got 70k to an international game ? You struggle to sell out the NRL Grand Final. You only got 58k to the Challenge Cup final last year. Back in the 1980's Rugby League were regularly getting close to 90k at Wembley for the final. What's gone wrong ? Rugby enjoyed 70k plus crowds three times in two days this weekend and it will be much the same next weekend as well. Yes, you are correct Rugby is blessed to enjoy the financial benefit of multinationals like MasterCard, Emirates, Asahi and Coca Cola. Who sponsors the Rugby League ? BLUEBET. Enough said. Rugby is also blessed to be partnered with many of the world's leading NGO's. If they or some other independent academic source like the University of Bath or the World Health Organisation should choose to write a report on the growth and health of Rugby Union, so what !! Why wouldn't Rugby choose to promote it. I'm sure Vlandy's would if the shoe was on the other foot. Since when does a press release and an independent report have to be mutually exclusive ? The government regularly conducts independent reports and studies and publishes and promotes the findings. I have referenced (yes, that's a verb this time daddy) numerous examples over the last few days. Peter Fitzsimmons wrote an article in Saturdays SMH describing the Vegas experiment as little more than an expensive selfie. I will leave the link below. It's rather amusing. Even NRL journalist Danny Weidler speculated that he didn't know who was going to offer the NRL free to air coverage in the states after those appalling figures. Don't linger too long over the comparison you wish to draw with the MRL. The MRL has just inked a deal to broadcast the entire season in North America on Fox sports. I think you might be developing a little Alzheimer's because I told you my reference for Agen's budget came from the "city am" financial website. Not only are you a bore but as I said before and it bears repeating, you are increasingly beginning to sound like a conspiracy theorist. Here is another link from Yahoo finance that clearly states the same and in turn it cites their sources. https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/half-second-tier-french-clubs-090000746.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma I'm so sorry Nat but you lost this argument a long time ago and have been determined to deflect and play the man, not the ball ever since. Your comments are those of a bully, a bigot and a zealot. This is my last post because It is clear that I cannot influence somebody as closed minded as you. Maybe you and your small circle because to be a Rugby League supporter is to be a part of a very small circle indeed, will see the light but if you do, make sure that the light that you do see at the end of the tunnel is not, figuratively speaking of course, an express train coming straight towards you and your little game. As stated in the numerous reports I referenced earlier Rugby is an inclusive game and I am sure you would be more than welcome at the Rugby World Cup in the U.S.A in 2031. I wish I could say that it has been enlightening but It hasn't been. See ya champ !! https://www.smh.com.au/sport/despite-the-spin-the-nrl-faces-a-long-road-to-win-over-the-yanks-20240308-p5fatr.html

So you think when someone’s asks you to cite a source you take the term reference as a noun? You even googled it. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Now go back to google and try again in the correct context of a verb. You nearly had it right but then you referenced (cited a source with attached link) but then attached a sponsors press release. Do you know what a Press Release is? It’s an advertisement. You just cited a bought and paid for advertisement and that says about everything about your credibility in one sentence. I’m still waiting for your answer on Brive. Be sure to cite your source with a link. 1, Don’t ask and answer your own questions. 2, I don’t care who plays where. 3, Don’t be as silly as to compare crowds in an international union match in an established region vs an exhibition match (Italy vs Vegas). Why not compare MLR that has only even exceeded 10k attendance once in their entire history.

REFERENCE: 1. the action of mentioning or alluding to something. “he made reference to the enormous power of the mass media”. You are sounding a bit repetitive. Nat, old boy. You’re not using AI are you ? Seriously, What would you have me do ? Supply footnotes. Do you think i’m publishing a doctoral thesis ? :laughing: Most people would have got the point by now but you seem intent on deflecting what you can’t bare to admit. That your game is on the path to nowhere. This weekend was yet another red letter weekend for Rugby. Italy beat Scotland before a 70,000 sell out crowd at the Olympic stadium in Rome. That’s right 70k in Rome, that’s 25k more than attended not one but two games of Rugby League in Vegas last week and the stands weren’t full of ex-pat Aussies or Scots for that matter. The stands were filled for the most part by Italian Rugby supporters. They will be back next year. Can the same be said for Rugby League support in Vegas ? Don’t worry Nat, it wasn’t that bad……… look at the silver lining, at least you had more people attend Allegiant stadium than watched the second game on American TV. :laughing: Sorry, I can’t stop laughing, because it really is pathetic. Perhaps, if you missed the Italy match you might have had a chance to see the full house in Lautoka watch the Fijian Drua beat the Crusaders. Isn’t that supposed to be one of your much vaunted catchment areas ? Perhaps if you missed that game you might have seen the 80,000 at Twickenham watch a tight contest between England and Ireland. I bet that game knocked the socks off the ratings when compared to the Eels vs Doggies :laughing: As much as I would love to stay and deconstruct your single issue obsessed argument but I plan to catch up on a bit of the Japanese One League (That’s Rugby of course.). Nobody seems to have told the World Cup winning Springbok players that Nat from Australia thinks it is a league for retirees. Is it the worlds best League ? no, but your misconception is fast becoming an outdated one. The Japan League is attracting some of the worlds best rugby talent and that includes not just players but coaching staff. “Springbok half De Klerk and centre Jesse Kriel are teammates for the Yokohama Canon Eagles. Other starting members of the South African World Cup squad that play for League One clubs, include: forward Pieter-Steph Du Toit, who was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2019 (Toyota Verblitz); center back Damian de Allende (Saitama Wild Knights); and wing Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath). At least 20 players on national teams at the World Cup have signed with League One squads, including those who will join the Japanese league after the quadrennial tournament. From New Zealand, scrum-half Aaron Smith and stand-off Beauden Barrett. They will join Toyota Verblitz next season, while four others from the All Blacks are set to play for League One clubs.” . I wonder who they will poach once they have poached all the Springboks and All Blacks Nat ? Japanese supporters understand what you don’t seem to and attendances have climbed 20 % year upon year since the highly successful 2019 World Cup in that country. I’m very concerned that you might accuse me of failing to reference this information so for your benefit I can disclose that it is an extract from THE ASAHI SHIMBUN – October 22, 2023 at 07:00 JST. Not that you will take any notice. You have proved incapable of doing your own research despite the multiple references I have given you. I feel so sorry for you that I have included a link and yet another reference at the bottom of this post. I hope it enlightens you because to be honest Sunshine, you are starting to sound like a conspiracy theorist. Humble apologies for the verbose response but what can I say, Rugby has a lot to crow about. :stoked: https://www.mastercard.com/news/press/2023/march/rugby-s-social-impact-uncovered-mastercard-report-reveals-five-trends-and-15-pioneers-shaping-the-sport-ahead-of-the-rugby-world-cup-2023/

See sunshine, you really haven't. You keep "saying" you've referenced something but you've actually just spoken about it. Now use what you've learned here and reference something you've posted. Also, throw in the "reference" to Brive having a $24m salary cap.

Thanks Einstein. That means a lot coming from you. Hope you get around to reading both the Portas Consultancy report and the Rugby Regulation Authority report I referenced earlier. You might learn something. :laughing:

I'll just leave this here. https://library.uaf.edu/instruction/readings/citing-documenting-resources Speak less, Read and learn.

Are you blind as well as dumb. I have listed multiple sources. You choose to ignore them just as you choose to ignore reality. Whatever ...... enjoy your little game.

Again 500 words and maybe 5 of them having any association to a point. Your allowed an opinion but this pathetic baffle with BS will only work in your small circle. For the very last time, do your research, cite your sources - properly. Quoting Keating only proves you are more mouth than substance.

BRF - Bunker Review Football. NRL - New Rules League. ERL - Ever changing Rules League. I always liked “Aussie Rules”, but apparently that code couldn’t do without “football” in their name, and NRL can’t use it to promote an international game.

I didn’t see that coming. Very good :)

Stop arguing with your shadow Nat. It’s pathetic. You are becoming a bore. I just told you that Brive has a salary cap twice that of the Roosters and I quoted the source. You seem to have overlooked that detail in your rebuttal. Do the Sharkies have a salary cap of 23 million aud ? NO. THEY DON’T. The professional championships commission of the Rugby Regulation Authority, formerly DNACG, published a complete report well over a year ago on the accounts of the 2021-2022 season for the Top 14 and Pro D2 clubs. The Top 14 and the Pro D2 have seen operating income rise by 43% to €515 million or 850 million AUD, compared with just under €360 million the previous year. That, I stress was for the 2021/22 season. The trajectory post world cup is likely to have grown exponentially since the date of that report. Why would Tongan rugby players go and play in Romania or America or Italy for that matter if it wasn’t for a liveable wage and so what if all the Pacific Islanders did end up playing Rugby league. I don’t wish for them to do so and they won’t all go of course. They are welcome in Rugby at any time but there are over 804,000 registered rugby players in South Africa. Tonga only has a total population over 100k and Samoa’s population is 206,000 so it’s a peculiar argument that you are making. Rugby league will suffer i’m sorry to say a death by a thousand cuts just as Rugby did in the 1980’s but in League’s case death, if you will excuse the pun will be permanent. As each marquee player comes on the radar Rugby League will begin to loose not only the support of the general public but the political and social elite in this country that by and large choose to turn a blind eye to the concussion issues, the gambling and anti-social behaviour that plague the sport. There will be no more funds for stadiums then, the Berejiklian government has already balked at rebuilding Homebush and her government wasn’t even a Labor one. Everyone loves a winner NAT. To paraphrase Paul Keating, “We will do you slowly”. The player drain will begin as a trickle but as sure as day follows night it will become a flood. Most of the players are increasingly likely to have some kind of Rugby Union background anyway which proves the old adage, you can’t reap what you don’t sow. Gus Gould probably doesn’t read the bible that much but I’m guessing he knows that excerpt and will no doubt chuck another hissy fit when the next Star departs, just as he did when the Sua’ali’i’s transfer was confirmed. It must have touched a nerve as I suspect it has with your good self. Why wouldn’t it because the writing is on the wall, perhaps i’m a bit premature in delivering the last rights but that day will come as sure as night follows day. What will remain of Rugby League will be a kind of shell of an amateur game still played amongst die-hards like yourself in remembrance of the good old days but by then I couldn’t guarantee that your code will even have access to the facilities of Henson Park which are already being shared each alternate week with the AFL. By the way Nat …… what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, How are the Newtown Jets going these days ? Silly me, I know they are playing in the NSW Cup because I go to watch them at the food and footy festival each year. Therein lies a cautionary tale of what happens to professional clubs when financially mismanaged. It’s not exclusive to English Rugby or NFL or to Rugby League. It’s a by-product of professionalism which in Rugby’s case is little more than a quarter of a century old but at least Rugby isn’t guilty of that cardinal sin in financial matters of keeping all their eggs in the one basket like the NRL. Of course I have a higher eduction Nat. I thought you might have noticed from my correct use of grammar and spelling and my superior argument but you don’t seem to notice much do you. Did YOU finish high school ?

Bunkerball :happy:

“In all honesty, I don’t know” That’s where you started and finished but with 1000 words in between. BTW, citing something requires evidence and most appropriately a link to support. I guess higher education wasn’t for you. You don’t know because you refuse to research or acknowledge that of all these “booming” union comps don’t come anywhere near the starting or average salary of this little suburban NRL comp. Top 14 is the only one that comes close on average. Premier rugby is broke with clubs dying and the average salary of approx au$250k. SRNZ is also broke and reliant on PI money and a small ave salary. Japan is a token comp for retirees and Japanese players run by big business with a high top end but still not top 10 of sports in that country. All these “growth” areas like US, Georgia and Romania are still very much amateur and not earning a liveable wage. I know you want to deflect SRAU but you know it’s just a fallback for those selected by heritage or kids not selected to play league from the school system. Where will the WBs get there players when the PI nations are focused on league due to being ignored by world rugby? The NRL has a $700m annual revenue with a greater starting salary and higher average than all these “booming” rugby clubs with room and plans for another 20% expansion (inc Dolphins) in the next few years. The NRL could literally buy SRAU with the annual profits. So tell me again why all these league players are leaving to go earn less overseas? This is your reasoning for the NRL falling into “oblivion” yet it has never been in a better financial and growth position to be able to challenge the biggest rugby comps from a population of 25m and solely focussed on 3 states and NZ.

FMD !! Exactly, I think you mean VAIN not vein. I don’t even know what question you are referring to. Was it the one about a guaranteed $120k + benefits for all rookies in their top 30. Seriously, Is that the only measure that you wish to compare the health of the two codes with….. In all honesty, I don’t know specifically what each individual player is paid but I felt as though I made it clear in the previous post that it is a mute point. Tennis doesn’t offer the most equitable and fair division of revenue to its players either but it is nevertheless a major world sport. I suspect nothing will convert your bigoted opinion but for what it’s worth even the French second division Rugby teams like Brive have a salary cap greater than NRL clubs. This following extract is from the financial news website “city am”, so don’t claim I didn’t provide you with full disclosure. “France’s top two leagues, the Top14 and ProD2, have salary caps of around £8.8m (excluding players who graduated from academies) compared to England’s £5m (with one player excluded). It is understood that the highest possible cap in England, where clubs receive credit and payments for reaching certain objectives, is just over £7m – though whether a club is operating at this level this season remains unknown. Brive, who recently sacked their manager are operating at between €15m and €16m while other clubs such as Agen are working to a budget of €14m.” In case you are wondering 14 million euro is roughly the equivalent of $23 million AUD. 7 Million pounds will get you roughly about $13.5 million AUD and probably a couple of League players as well if you should want them. Even Romanian Rugby has got in on the act and is pinching half of the south pacific’s talent. They have a couple of promising wingers from Tonga. Fonovai Tangimana is particularly impressive. Really Nat, it’s time now to just enjoy your little game and be happy that you only have to go to a local park and that you don’t have to travel all the way to Bucharest to see it.

FMD seriously! Dodge, duck and weave. You create your own argument on a vein attempt to sound like you know what your talking about. That's your 4th reply and you haven't touched on the one question I've asked.