Just to be a devils advocate .....If a Pacific Nation made ...or amazingly won....a RLWC final ......what would that do for our sport ? Would the wider world wonder how a tiny Island nation could challenge for / win a world competition ? Would the credibility of the code be questioned ?
I ask as I sometimes wonder if the RLIF would love to see these countries flourish .....but be embarrassed if they ended up becoming powerhouses ....as opposed to major European or American countries (where $$$ via sponsors, fans, media etc would be available) ?
Don't think for a moment I am knocking the efforts of our Pacific pioneers ....I am not. Genuinely curious as to what would be the outcome.
I kind of agree with you.
It's frustrating when people hold up the pacific islands as the great hope of international footy.
A successful Fiji would be an amazing underdog story, a minor curiosity in world sport, and a major embarrassment for the big 3. But ultimately it's not going to change the direction of respect of international Rugby League. (Especially when most of their players grew up playing the game in Australia anyway).
But really it's not gonna happen. Unless they unearth their own Thurston-like player in the halves.
A Fijian heritage player of this stature who grew up in Australia would likely play for Australia.
A Fijian born and raised player of this stature is borderline impossible due to the quality and depth of local football played in Fiji. Even someone with raw talent would lack the education and competition. Most sadly of all, if they were brought over at a young enough age, they would likely jump to the Kangaroos for the money anyway when the residency period allows.
