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Interesting to see Sean Fagan's editorial on RL1908. I agree and think they would be meritorious inclusions. Besides the Kangaroos, Kiwis, Lions and the Chanticleers, there won't be any teams that could compete at an elite level. The Dream Team and Aotearoa Maori could.
http://rl1908.com/indigenous.htm
Aboriginal and Maori Teams for World Cup?
The argument for including Australian and New Zealand indigenous teams in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
<snipped>
there are further reasons for consideration of New Zealand Maori and Australian Aboriginal teams in the 2008 RLWC.
The first reason is purely based on the large indigenous populations of both Australia and New Zealand who play rugby league - and they play it very well! These player pools are larger than that which some of the participating countries will have!
Some will argue that the World Cup's credibility will be challenged if Maori and Aboriginal teams are included. Yet valid reasons for their inclusion in this tournament are readily to be found - and their teams will be competitive. For the 'Maoris' team it is historical, for the 'Aboriginal' team it is as traditional hosts.
This World Cup tournament is meant to celebrate the commencement of rugby league in Australia in 1908. During that first season we were visited by two international teams - the New Zealand Kiwis and the New Zealand Maoris.
The 'Maoris' reappearance in the Centenary World Cup tournament could therefore be argued on historical grounds.
The inclusion of the 'Aboriginals' side would be a way of paying respect to the traditional owners of the lands on which the 2008 World Cup is to be played. It is not inconceivable that despite the Cup being played in Australia, despite the huge number of Aboriginals who play rugby league, not one will take to the field in a World Cup match.
The matter will require some careful examination by the RLWC organisers and indigenous communities alike.
I would favour both teams being part of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup - the New Zealand Maoris (as part of the centenary celebrations) and the Australian Aboriginals (as traditional hosts).
http://rl1908.com/indigenous.htm
Aboriginal and Maori Teams for World Cup?
The argument for including Australian and New Zealand indigenous teams in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
<snipped>
there are further reasons for consideration of New Zealand Maori and Australian Aboriginal teams in the 2008 RLWC.
The first reason is purely based on the large indigenous populations of both Australia and New Zealand who play rugby league - and they play it very well! These player pools are larger than that which some of the participating countries will have!
Some will argue that the World Cup's credibility will be challenged if Maori and Aboriginal teams are included. Yet valid reasons for their inclusion in this tournament are readily to be found - and their teams will be competitive. For the 'Maoris' team it is historical, for the 'Aboriginal' team it is as traditional hosts.
This World Cup tournament is meant to celebrate the commencement of rugby league in Australia in 1908. During that first season we were visited by two international teams - the New Zealand Kiwis and the New Zealand Maoris.
The 'Maoris' reappearance in the Centenary World Cup tournament could therefore be argued on historical grounds.
The inclusion of the 'Aboriginals' side would be a way of paying respect to the traditional owners of the lands on which the 2008 World Cup is to be played. It is not inconceivable that despite the Cup being played in Australia, despite the huge number of Aboriginals who play rugby league, not one will take to the field in a World Cup match.
The matter will require some careful examination by the RLWC organisers and indigenous communities alike.
I would favour both teams being part of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup - the New Zealand Maoris (as part of the centenary celebrations) and the Australian Aboriginals (as traditional hosts).