In sports such as Cricket and Rugby Union, Internationals are the be all and end all of the sport. Little else matters. Now I understand that there are a lot more countries playing those sports at a decent level than in RL but could a reason behind the lack of interest in International RL be that we play our 'proper' Internationals at the end of the season rather than during the season.



I know the clubs dont like losing there best players and still have to play league matches but is it worth it to improve the national side and the game in general on a more global scale?



Fans from clubs who dont make the playoffs or get knocked out early on can often have little interest in what follows, as there club is all that matters, so by the time the internationals come round they have little interest left in RL until the season starts again.



Playing the internationals mid season 'could' spark up more interest in the game but would it be worth it if the domestic game were to suffer?



*this is just thinking aloud more than anything, what are your thoughts on this matter??

I think were doing OK, 45000 at Wembely, 30000 at Elland road and a sold out KC last season. The problem is having enough competitive teams, currently we have 3 teams, hopefully France can make some ground up soon with Catalans going so well, but they just dont have the strength in depth at the moment. Its not all rosey in other sports, football, our national sport, has 1 million unsold tickets for the most publicised and hyped up sporting event ever, and are having to shut off huge parts of stadiums for games. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18869911

I think were doing OK, 45000 at Wembely, 30000 at Elland road and a sold out KC last season. The problem is having enough competitive teams, currently we have 3 teams, hopefully France can make some ground up soon with Catalans going so well, but they just dont have the strength in depth at the moment. Its not all rosey in other sports, football, our national sport, has 1 million unsold tickets for the most publicised and hyped up sporting event ever, and are having to shut off huge parts of stadiums for games. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18869911

Unfortunately I can't see the Aussies and Kiwis agreeing to tour over here in the middle of the NRL season.

This

You can see SL clubs letting players go on tour mid season then??!!

When people reply and just write the one word 'THIS' , what do they mean ?



I have seen an increase in the use of the one word post recently.

Oh it's just a long winded way of saying +1

Super 15 down here breaks for 3 or 4 weeks to allow for internationals with visiting Northern touring sides.....the only reason this happens is MONEY.



I get shouted down for saying it, but the RFL/IRLF could learn a lot from the way the IRB handle their game...but unfortunately, the problems with international RL are more to do with the attitude of the ARL/NRL than anything else.....they really do believe the world revolves around them, their comp and SoO.......everything else is an annoyance.



IMO that is.

Are they wrong?

From a business standpoinbt, they are spot on.



The problem though, is bigger than their league, which is the #2 code in Australia and commands massive TV audiences and revenues......If the game in the UK is to thrive, then the "nation" needs to get behind it......to do that, there needs to be more Internationals.........your average brit considers rugby players and supporters of either codes, as egg chasers, but when the 6 nations or RWC are on, they all drag their rosed shirts out of the back of the wardrobe and discover an indepth knowledge of the dark arts of scrummaging.



The RLWC in 2013 will struggle to get bigger crowds or more attention than the Northern Hemisphere end of season tours by SA/AU and NZ........why is that?



FTA TV helps......look at the synchoinsed masturbation that occurs every year for SoO and the petty squabbles between fans of AFL/NRL on other forums....Rugby League in the UK has sold its soul to Uncle Rupert.......if the game is to have any chance, then FTA needs to play a part in the game....otherwise, it will always be regarded as a Northern Hobby...regardless of Les Catalans and London Broncos.



There is no quick fix, but I believe a deal should be brokered by where the BBC cover the England RL national side......all games, including the exiles. Saturday afternoon KO's.....it seems to work for the other lot.



As it is, the NRL will close a deal 10 times the size of the Superleague shortly......clubs in the UK are starting to wobble/fall over and if something isn't done soon...the future is looking quite bleak for TGG in the Northern Hemisphere as a full time professional sport.



IMO that is.

It's not popular because in real terms out of 190 odd countries in the world only 3 countries are capable of putting a decent game together.

Australia, New Zealand & PNG.