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.

Again the fault of the NRL with their total and utter disregard for international qualification.....this year we've had kiwis defect so as to play Origin....last year it was a fijian begging for his caps for Fiji to be forgotten so he could play Origin.....



There was a report a couple of years ago that stated about 65% of the kids playing toyota cup RL were Kiwis.......the game is becoming more and more about the contact and the NRL Clubs are increasingly looking at Pacifica as a recruiting ground......the Aussies have an issue with strength in depth at present, if they increase the comp to 17 or 18 teams, then watch the best UK players get signed up.....it's only a matter of time until one of the burgess brothers is touted for SoO....it's a farce, but in the pursuit of everything, the ARL/NRL don't give a toss.......because if it's not in their own backyard, it ain't important.



IMO that is....

No.