The Kangaroos risk dying out unless the ARLC commits to regular Tests
The Australian Kangaroos are one of the country's most successful teams. Their brand is synonymous with excellence, professionalism and advancing rugby league through outrageous…
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Freelance sports writer. Author: Their Finest Hour: A History of the Rugby League World Cup in 10 Matches. Journalist with NRL.com, Inside Sport and Big League.
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Thanks Paul – you’ve succinctly described my angle really well.
Yes, if nations don’t actively look to grow the sport, then who will they play?
The Kangaroos risk dying out unless the ARLC commits to regular Tests
nooooooooo 😛
And thanks Peter for your thoughts too. I know there are coaches like Craig Bellamy and Wayne Bennett (and Nathan Brown) who are encouraging their players to represent at the highest levels, because it benefits the club. But comes down to having a mindset that is beyond self-interest and is for the greater good. Not everyone will. But it’s important for the game that we do.
The Kangaroos risk dying out unless the ARLC commits to regular Tests
Thank you Walter. Yes, chicken and egg scenario!
The Kangaroos risk dying out unless the ARLC commits to regular Tests
Thanks Jimmy. As sports fans we have limited time to capacity to follow our codes. I just hope we manage to work together, as a collective, to try and commit to getting exposure for our game outside the Big 3. Smaller player pool = product less attractive. But that’s big picture (could be decades away). Appreciate we also have our own interests in our clubs and so we should.
The Kangaroos risk dying out unless the ARLC commits to regular Tests
I’d be happier if I knew I was eating ice cream every year, rather than randomly though.
Analogy aside, yes club tribalism is important, but is that the future of the game?
I’d argue not.
I’d be much more interested in a sport that can point to growth in the likes of South America, North America, other parts of Europe and the Pacific, instead of the Rabbitohs reaching 100,000 members one day. It’s too inward-looking. We need to think bigger rather than what is comfortable.
The Kangaroos risk dying out unless the ARLC commits to regular Tests
Put the pandemic to one side.
In 2018 Australia were invited to tour England. They declined and NZ went instead.
In 2019 they played two Tests against NZ and Tonga, but brushed the touring GB side.
In 2020 – granted, the pandemic was on, and the Ashes series got pushed out.
There are other countries who prioritise Test footy more – New Zealand and England for a start – and that’s because the NRL has it’s own product to protect.
I’m also not putting all the emphasis on the Australian side here. For the sake of growing the sport beyond the Big 3, we need everyone – all nations – to commit to a steady international calendar (with COVID-permitting). None of this ad-hoc, let’s tour with three months notice, activities, where we can help it.
The Kangaroos risk dying out unless the ARLC commits to regular Tests
Chook – your definition of a good coach is obviously doing it at NRL level. But the fact he has had a strong start to his Australian coaching career and his Origin success with Queensland surely means he is a good coach anyhow? Rep coaching is different to NRL level in its own way – but by not necessarily lesser. Just different.
History beckons for masterful Meninga
Hi Maximillan, thanks for your comments, yes he seems to be doing good things with the team – a united front for sure.
History beckons for masterful Meninga
Thanks for your comments Sleiman. Yes, it looks like Meninga is doing positive things with the Aussie team – hopefully he can continue to raise the profile in the public conscience.
History beckons for masterful Meninga
Thank you Tim! Really glad you enjoyed. It’s fun to discover these kind of stats.. just like your article too.
History beckons for masterful Meninga
Nice article Tim, thanks for the in depth analysis. Appreciated by us international rugby league tragics!
Take back what's ours: How the Kangaroos have owned representative rugby league
Perhaps but my point was that they resurrected their whole cricket – new coach, different culture etc – after 2013. Doesn’t have to be confined to ODI’s. Putting it another way – do you think Australia would have won the World Cup with Mickey Arthur at the helm?
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You’ve lost me SP.. England are in the final aren’t they after plonking New Zealand?
England a modern-day cricketing Lazarus
Hi Honeymonster, thanks for sharing – I agree with England’s Grand Slam. Shades of their cricket team – in twelve months, from knocked out of their own World Cup to winning in Europe – pretty swift change in fortunes. Another good one with Germany too.
England a modern-day cricketing Lazarus
Greg, why are you assuming he will want to play for Australia? Has anyone bothered to ask whether he would want to? He is a Fiji Test player. Stories like this – assuming players want to play for Australia because they are now residents – is not want international football needs to increase it’s credibility. Why not write this story after / or if he makes a comment on it? It’s probably news to him….
The tale of Semi Radradra: Ridiculously ineligible for State of Origin
Hi Epiquin, thanks for your comments. What would you do to promote it?
Technology and sport: The future of the NRL's consumer
Hi Marco, thanks for your thoughts. Are you someone who goes to games live or watch on TV? It’s an interesting decision to make isn’t it! We’ve never had it so good as TV watchers though..
Technology and sport: The future of the NRL's consumer
Hi Turbodewd, thanks for your thoughts. What do you think about the future of how we consume our NRL looks like? Did you like the video bunker?
Technology and sport: The future of the NRL's consumer
Hi Russ, appreciate your comments. Forgive me but you’ve lost me..
“It is nice to see someone falling in line with the tedious yawn journalists and pundits in helping them justify their nasty, condescending and unjustified attacks, they do need all the help they can get.” ? Do you mean to say that I went against the grain of the “yawn” (i think this is your code-word for union?) by not attacking SB?
“Had to come back Andrew because some website was abusing you by dismissing you as a non-fiction writer and I thought you should be allerted to this libellous assertion!” Again, ?
Sam Burgess could be a legend, but only in league
“Getting selected for England within 12 months” He was gifted the position , there were beetter and more qualified pommie players who would of been a better fit. – Yes, I was stating the facts. Gifted. What, he bought a spot? Lancaster plumped for him on his performances for Bath. Rightly or wrong, whether you agree on or, but these are the facts. That is your perception, which is fine. It is still an impressive achievement everything else withstanding.
“He has arguably a greater chance of winning more titles in rugby league” what SOO or Kangas roo or NRL, he ain’t going back to Britain and Sydney is his new home. – He is English, so not available for SOO. And as I explained, yes, for the Rabbitohs in the NRL or when playing for the English rugby league team. He doesn’t need to be based in Britain to play for the Lions.
Sam Burgess could be a legend, but only in league
Spot on Andrew, great comments, thank you for sharing.
The Kangaroos risk dying out unless the ARLC commits to regular Tests