4 year cycle....the definitive thread!

[roughyedspud]

4 year cycles seems to a pet project for everyone,everyone seems to come up with different options.....so lets have em'



mine..


2014 - 4nations - 6nations european cup & 6 nations pacific cup

2015 - 4nations - 6nations european cup & 6 nations pacific cup

2016 - 8 team federation cup - RLWCQ

2017 - world cup...


right to explain.....the standard 6 teams for the european cup would be wales,scotland,ireland,france,italy & lebabon....russia or serbia would replace the team that moves out of the european cup to play in the 4nations...

likewise the pacific cup would have the same standard 6 teams..PNG,fiji,tonga,samoa,cooks & usa.....canada would replace the team moving up to the 4nations..

the 8 team federation cup would be for the top 8 RLIF ranked nations,this would be a RLIF also as opposed to the 4nations which is a RFL/ARLC/NZRL controlled event,would give the RLIF another revenue stream...

 

[RedVee]

Does Jamaica get a guernsey in this?

 

[roughyedspud]

ive just looked at the top 19 teams but obviously there'll be comps for teams below the 4nations & european/ pacific cup level...i just did'nt want to overcomplicate the inital idea..and i really don't want this to decend into a mass developement thread where it gets derailed with comments like "what about thailand" lol

 

[clarency]

Something different

2014 – regional
4 nations – Aus, Eng, NZ, France
Top 2 north, top 2 south. Nice and neat, though it could be my OCD.
Pacific Cup – PNG, Fiji, Somoa, Tonga
Northern/Celtic Cup – Ireland, Scotland, Wales
Mediterranean Cup – Italy, Lebanon, Greece, Spain
Scandinavian Cup – Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland
Baltic Cup – Latvia, Estonia (Lithuania could join if they can get a team together)
Benelux Cup – Belgium, Netherlands
Danubian Cup – Germany, Serbia, Hungary, Croatia
Altantic Cup – USA, Canada, Jamaica, South Africa

The point is getting as many teams playing as possible on a regular basis, for minimal cost.
RLIF will need to put some (what little that may be) effort into getting things set up in Asia.
Teams not mentioned can fit in their closest comp, or tour.

2015 – Continental
Oceana Cup – Aus, NZ, Tonga, Fiji
Oceana Plate – Samoa, PNG, Cook Islands, ???

European Cup – England, France, Wales, Scotland
European Plate – Ireland, Italy, Russia, Serbia
European Bowl – teams 9-12
European Shield – teams 13-16

Americas Cup – USA, Canada, Jamaica

Africas Cup – South Africa, ???... L

Asian Cup - .... Thailand, Phillipines, Japan???

Teams organised by rank, highest to lowest. Used the RLratings.com because RLIF rankings are dumb.
Teams change by either promotion/relegation matches, or reorganised through rankings at the beginning of the year.

2016 – regional
4 nations – Aus, Eng, NZ, France
Pacific Cup – PNG, Fiji, Somoa, Tonga
Northern/Celtic Cup – Ireland, Scotland, Wales
Mediterranean Cup – Italy, Lebanon, Greece, Spain
Scandinavian Cup – Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland
Baltic Cup – Latvia, Estonia (Lithuania could join if they can get a team together)
Benelux Cup – Belgium, Netherlands
Danubian Cup – Germany, Serbia, Hungary, Croatia
Altantic Cup – USA, Canada, Jamaica, South Africa

This can form the basis of WC qualifying. Regions can then play off against each other (weighted accordingly).
e.g. Baltic1 v Benelux1. Winner v Danubian1. Winner v Mediterranean2 – winner qualifies
Or something like that.

2017 - World Cup

 

[Evil Homer]

You can't have a global 8 team competition a year before a WC.

 

[roughyedspud]

why....its no different to fifa playing the confederation cup the year before the world cup..

 

[bender]

Annual Events

Full International weekends.(Annual with NRL/ESL break)

Samoa vs Tonga
PNG vs Fiji
England vs Celtic Nations
NZ North Island vs South Island (includes heritage players)
Qld vs NSW
USA vs Canada
Itally vs France
Lebanon vs Malta
Cook Islands v American Samoa
Serbia v Russia
West Europe v East Europe
South Africa v North Africa

2014 - World Championships (6 nations)
Great Britain
Australia
New Zealand
Pacific Islands (includes PNG)
Europe (includes France, Italy etc)
World All stars (includes USA, South Africa etc)

2015
Pacific cup
4 Australian states, 4 New Zealand States, 2 PNG States (Papua and New Guinea), Western Samoa, Tonga, 2 Fijian Provinces, Cook Island, American Samoa
European Cup
England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, Italy, Russia, Malta.

2016 - World Cup Qualifiers
American Group - USA, Canada, Jamaica, Russia, Serbia, South Africa - 1 Qualifies
Europe - England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, Italy, Lebanon, Malta - 4 Qualify
Pacific Group - Australia, PNG, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, American Samoa - 4 Qualify
Repecharge - 2 Pacific, 2 Europe , 1 American. 1 Qualifies

2017 - World Cup - 10 teams
5 games (random draw) - no Groups
Traditional top 5 semi finals series.

 

[jim_57]

I would like to see a few tournament & games introduced annually:

Mid year euro comp - England, France & Exiles all permanent + qualifier.
Atlantic Cup - USA, Canada, South Africa, Jamaica
Tonga V Samoa
PNG V NZ (Hosted mid-year in PNG)
PNG V Fiji


Now for the cycle, I would include France as a permanent 4th Nation and extent it to a 5 nations comp with a regional qualifier. That way we have the 4 most "developed" RL countries and one qualifier still gets their chance.

2014 - 5 Nations (Pacific Qualifier)
Euro Cup/ 2016 5N Qualifier - Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Lebanon

2015 - GB tour Australia, France tour NZ/Pacific
Pacific Cup

2016 - 5 Nations (Europe)
Euro Cup (without 5N qualifier)
Pacific Cup
WC Qualifiers

2017 - World Cup
All annual mid-year games

 

[roughyedspud]

world champiinship & world cup........jesus h christ!

 

[bender]

world champiinship & world cup........jesus h christ!

Other than the two additional spots obvious extra costs, How is that any different to the current 4 nations which is really pretty much an annual World championship anyway.

Most australians certainly claimed their 4 nations win which followed NZs world cup win as a world championship victory anyway.

The advantage of the 6 nations is that players will be encouraged to play for minor nations, because it will be financially in their interests.

 

[DINGb@T]

I like the idea of keeping it simple and building on what's already been put in place, to solidify the regular international competition.

2014 and 2015 Four Nations as is with Euro and Pacific Cups at the same time to give a clear pathway into the 'big show' and the lucrative rewards that brings. But reinforce the third tier with stable Shield comps that can decide who makes up the Cup comps e.g. the winner of the Atlantic Cup is rewarded with 'the Atlantic place' in the Pacific Cup etc.

Expanding the Euro/Pac Cup comps to 6 teams would be an option but would also increase the costs and length of the tournaments which might not be the best idea. If it means stability than 4 teams is good enough.

2016 would be devoted to world cup qualification and seeding. The Big 3 will decide if they want to play each other or not but the minnows would be busy trying to qualify while the second tier teams should probably play each other for seeding purposes. What the best way to do that is, I don't know, but I don't think an 8 team world championship is a good idea the year before the World Cup. Keep it to their respective Cup competitions to sort out their teams etc, maybe use this opportunity to exapnd it to 6 teams each, but leave the World Cup to answer which teams are better than all the rest.

 

[Misanthrope]

2014 - World Championships (6 nations)
Great Britain
Australia
New Zealand
Pacific Islands (includes PNG)
Europe (includes France, Italy etc)
World All stars (includes USA, South Africa etc)

I actually like the idea of this competition as a kind of fun 'novelty'. Might even be worth finding a way to include the Indigenous All-Stars? Maybe have Aus/NZ compete as the All Golds?

Also means you have no World Cup 'nations' competing, which will avoid the risk of cheapening the World Cup?

 

[adamkungl]

I'm not gonna read through all of these and post my ideas in detail (it's been done to death) - just some general thoughts that I hope the RLIF, NRL and RFL take into account.

All ranked nations must have test matches ever year.

All willing nations must be given a legitimate chance to qualify for the WC, and there must be a thorough qualification process.

One of the 3 non-WC years should not be based around a 4N tournament, for variety. A touring year would be excellent.

 

[roughyedspud]

I actually like the idea of this competition as a kind of fun 'novelty'. Might even be worth finding a way to include the Indigenous All-Stars? Maybe have Aus/NZ compete as the All Golds??

jesus....lock the thread !


maybe a reason australians can't be arsed with internationals is because they don't understand the concept of international sport?????

 

[Evil Homer]

why....its no different to fifa playing the confederation cup the year before the world cup..

FIFA WC is 32 nations and the Confederations Cup is likely to be comprised of various continental opponents who rarely face each other and are unlikely to meet at the WC. An 8 team competition like you've suggested could work, but IMO it would cheapen the RLWC if held a year before. IMO better to go with a 6 nations format that was discussed in other thread, with all nations playing home matches.

Annual Events

Full International weekends.(Annual with NRL/ESL break)

Samoa vs Tonga
PNG vs Fiji
England vs Celtic Nations
NZ North Island vs South Island (includes heritage players)
Qld vs NSW
USA vs Canada
Itally vs France
Lebanon vs Malta
Cook Islands v American Samoa
Serbia v Russia
West Europe v East Europe
South Africa v North Africa

2014 - World Championships (6 nations)
Great Britain
Australia
New Zealand
Pacific Islands (includes PNG)
Europe (includes France, Italy etc)
World All stars (includes USA, South Africa etc)

2015
Pacific cup
4 Australian states, 4 New Zealand States, 2 PNG States (Papua and New Guinea), Western Samoa, Tonga, 2 Fijian Provinces, Cook Island, American Samoa
European Cup
England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, Italy, Russia, Malta.

2016 - World Cup Qualifiers
American Group - USA, Canada, Jamaica, Russia, Serbia, South Africa - 1 Qualifies
Europe - England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, Italy, Lebanon, Malta - 4 Qualify
Pacific Group - Australia, PNG, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, American Samoa - 4 Qualify
Repecharge - 2 Pacific, 2 Europe , 1 American. 1 Qualifies

2017 - World Cup - 10 teams
5 games (random draw) - no Groups
Traditional top 5 semi finals series.

 

[Hollywood Jesus]

2014 - Six Nations (Aus, NZ, Eng, Fra, Winner Samoa v Fiji, Winner Euro playoff game)
Pac Cup
Euro Cup

2015 - See above, with winners of the two Cups playing the 6N entrants from 2014 for entry during the ANZAC weekend. Yes, this means Euro would have to align and take a week off)

2016 - Tours, I guess (as it seems it's going to happen at some point for some reason), with whoever doesn't want to tour/can't tour going into Pac and Euro Cups. You could either have WC Qualification through these Cups or exclude teams trying to qualify and have them play 3-game series' to determine qualification.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

I would love for us to get to this stage but I understand that TV contracts that are currently running won't allow but here we go anyway:

2014:
Mid Year (window created by back to back origin games and ANZAC test - NRL & SL shut down for 4 weeks)

Week 1:State of Origin 1 / Eng v NZL / Euro Cup Rd 1 / Pac Cup Rd 1 / *International 9’s circuit Rd 1
Week 2: State of Origin 2 / Eng v NZL / Euro Cup Rd 2 / Pac Cup Rd 2 / International 9’s circuit Rd 2
Week 2: State of Origin 3 / Eng v NZL / Euro Cup Rd 3 / Pac Cup Rd 3 / International 9’s circuit Rd 3
Week 4: Aus v NZL / Eng v Exiles / Euro Cup Rd 4 / Pac Cup Rd 4 / International 9’s circuit Rd 4
*(9's circuit keeps more players active during the club break, fills TV slots and can be held in cities that are being starved of league during the club break)

End of Year (usual international window)

Week 1: 5 Nations Rd 1 (Aus, NZL, Eng, Euro Cup winner, Pac Cup winner) / Euro Tests / Pac Tests / Atlantic Cup Rd 1 / International 9’s circuit Rd 5
Week 2: 5 Nations Rd 2 (Aus, NZL, Eng, Euro Cup winner, Pac Cup winner) / Euro Tests / Pac Tests / Atlantic Cup Rd 2 / International 9’s circuit Rd 6
Week 3: 5 Nations Rd 3 (Aus, NZL, Eng, Euro Cup winner, Pac Cup winner) / Euro Tests / Pac Tests / Atlantic Cup Rd 3 / International 9’s circuit Rd 7
Week 4: 5 Nations Rd 4 (Aus, NZL, Eng, Euro Cup winner, Pac Cup winner) / Euro Tests / Pac Tests / Atlantic Cup Rd Final / International 9’s circuit Rd 8
Week 5: 5 Nations Rd 5 (Aus, NZL, Eng, Euro Cup winner, Pac Cup winner) / Euro Tests / Pac Tests International 9’s circuit Rd 9
Week 6: 5 Nations Final / Euro Tests / Pac Tests / International 9’s circuit Rd 10

2015: Same as 2014

2016: Same as 2014

Teams accumulate points from fixtures from 2014 – 2016 towards world cup qualification

2017:
Mid Year

GB Tour of Australia (alternating with NZL on a 4 year basis e.g. GB to tour NZL in 2021)
9’s World Cup (held in NZL whilst GB is touring Australia)

End of Year
Rugby League World Cup

 

[Kurt Angle]

Year 1 - 6 Nations (replaces 4 nations)

Year 2 - 8 team federation cup - RLWCQ

Year 3 - 12 team World championship

Year 4 - 14 team World cup

 

[toovey]

Bring back the 3 match test series, they created much more interest!!!

 

[Steve Davy]

Something different

2014 ? regional
4 nations ? Aus, Eng, NZ, France
Top 2 north, top 2 south. Nice and neat, though it could be my OCD.
Pacific Cup ? PNG, Fiji, Somoa, Tonga
Northern/Celtic Cup ? Ireland, Scotland, Wales
Mediterranean Cup ? Italy, Lebanon, Greece, Spain
Scandinavian Cup ? Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland
Baltic Cup ? Latvia, Estonia (Lithuania could join if they can get a team together)
Benelux Cup ? Belgium, Netherlands
Danubian Cup ? Germany, Serbia, Hungary, Croatia
Altantic Cup ? USA, Canada, Jamaica, South Africa

The point is getting as many teams playing as possible on a regular basis, for minimal cost.
RLIF will need to put some (what little that may be) effort into getting things set up in Asia.
Teams not mentioned can fit in their closest comp, or tour.

2015 ? Continental
Oceana Cup ? Aus, NZ, Tonga, Fiji
Oceana Plate ? Samoa, PNG, Cook Islands, ???

European Cup ? England, France, Wales, Scotland
European Plate ? Ireland, Italy, Russia, Serbia
European Bowl ? teams 9-12
European Shield ? teams 13-16

Americas Cup ? USA, Canada, Jamaica

Africas Cup ? South Africa, ???... L

Asian Cup - .... Thailand, Phillipines, Japan???

Teams organised by rank, highest to lowest. Used the RLratings.com because RLIF rankings are dumb.
Teams change by either promotion/relegation matches, or reorganised through rankings at the beginning of the year.

2016 ? regional
4 nations ? Aus, Eng, NZ, France
Pacific Cup ? PNG, Fiji, Somoa, Tonga
Northern/Celtic Cup ? Ireland, Scotland, Wales
Mediterranean Cup ? Italy, Lebanon, Greece, Spain
Scandinavian Cup ? Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland
Baltic Cup ? Latvia, Estonia (Lithuania could join if they can get a team together)
Benelux Cup ? Belgium, Netherlands
Danubian Cup ? Germany, Serbia, Hungary, Croatia
Altantic Cup ? USA, Canada, Jamaica, South Africa

This can form the basis of WC qualifying. Regions can then play off against each other (weighted accordingly).
e.g. Baltic1 v Benelux1. Winner v Danubian1. Winner v Mediterranean2 ? winner qualifies
Or something like that.

2017 - World Cup

It is a very interesting idea. A note of reservation would be that playing strength and financial muscle are not often aligned. More importantly, the capability to capitalize on international competition varies.

If Denmark were to win the Nordic Cup, I would not want us to travel a long distance for a potentially very expensive. That money would be better used at grass roots and if Denmark were to pull off a victory against Serbia or Ireland, very few people in Denmark could be convinced it was a big deal.

Internationals have to be of particular interest to a domestic audience and for the greater good of the game.