16 teams for the 2021 RLWC?

[Evil Homer]

Scotland will be there in 2021, if they are told the minimum requirements are a problem they will sort something out to fix it, the criteria isn't exactly hard to pass.

As for the thread, Scotland and Wales (and France to an extent) have brought piss poor squads to this tournament that are not even close to their first choice. When you're talking about teams like this without much depth then losing 6-7 first grade players pretty much kills the team. With their strongest teams they could at least give credible performances, look at Scotland in the 4N last year. You could easily get to 16, chuck Jamaica and Cook Islands in straight away and they could perform at least as well as some of the nations here.

 

[Pedge1971]

Not for downsizing. Leave as is or 2 more teams max. Have enjoyed the games thus far.

 

[Irish-bulldog]

It has to go to 16 teams, thrashings don't matter, union had beat downs in world cups for years. But they play internationals and surprise surprise the game grew. More games more money. Look don't freak out, the international game is in its best ever shape, small leagues are popping up all over the world. America ,Jamaica and Canada I can see making some improvements in the next 4 years. Money is showing up in the Americas, They will have a big push before there World Cup. Let's not go go backwards, expand , grow !.

 

[NRLMad]

It has to go to 16 teams, thrashings don't matter, union had beat downs in world cups for years. But they play internationals and surprise surprise the game grew. More games more money. Look don't freak out, the international game is in its best ever shape, small leagues are popping up all over the world. America ,Jamaica and Canada I can see making some improvements in the next 4 years. Money is showing up in the Americas, They will have a big push before there World Cup. Let's not go go backwards, expand , grow !.

To add to that, the field will be a lot more even with the rise of the Pacific Islanders in the NRL & the loss of the immortals for Australia - Smith Thurston Slater Inglis and Cronk will all be gone. You just can’t replace them, no different to what’s happened to Australia in cricket.

 

[Pedge1971]

To add to that, the field will be a lot more even with the rise of the Pacific Islanders in the NRL & the loss of the immortals for Australia - Smith Thurston Slater Inglis and Cronk will all be gone. You just can’t replace them, no different to what’s happened to Australia in cricket.

Think u might be disappointed on that last bit but let's see..

 

[kiwileaguefan]

alternatively, instead of saying "sack this team, sack that team", we have 4 years to fix this...

Out of the 14 nations playing, how many nations actually have kids playing domestically?

There in itself is the problem....once nations lose the ability to use heritage players, they will crash and burn.

 

[kdalymc]

Out of the 14 nations playing, how many nations actually have kids playing domestically?

There in itself is the problem....once nations lose the ability to use heritage players, they will crash and burn.

Like I said- 4 years to fix.
*more international matches
*fix domestic comps

 

[Pommy]

Out of the 14 nations playing, how many nations actually have kids playing domestically?

There in itself is the problem....once nations lose the ability to use heritage players, they will crash and burn.

New heritage nations will rise up instead, migration is changing but it’s not stopping.

 

[latingringo101]

I'd say at least keeping it at 14 and then if there's more nations by 2021/2025 look to expand.

There havent been exceptional thrashings this tournament, Wales, Scotland and USA have proven in the past they can put in a decent performance when the circumstances are right!

 

[DC_fan]

To add to that, the field will be a lot more even with the rise of the Pacific Islanders in the NRL & the loss of the immortals for Australia - Smith Thurston Slater Inglis and Cronk will all be gone. You just can’t replace them, no different to what’s happened to Australia in cricket.

The problem there is, Australia is so far ahead of tier 2 countries in quality and quantity of players that we could put our 5th best team on the field and still slaughter most if not all of the teams from that level.

 

[bowes]

Scotland will be there in 2021, if they are told the minimum requirements are a problem they will sort something out to fix it, the criteria isn't exactly hard to pass.

No chance. Scotland have failed to run a four team domestic league season for four consecutive seasons now and I expect they won't even bother next year as there are only two teams in Scotland and neither are consistent at travelling to away games. The criteria state an eight team domestic league which is far beyond Scotland's capacility (and unlikely to be enforced as even Wales might struggle with that), though I really can't see them letting Scotland get away without a league at all

 

[siv]

Similar feeling here. I was all for expanding to 16 but some of the score lines are making me think again. Yes, other sports get blow outs but it's usually when the big guns meet the minnows. We are seeing good but not top drawer teams hammering other sides in their group. Are there now three/four tiers at this WC?

Hi
The answer is yes

The new Eligibility rules have helped Pacific nations but not really Europe

You can expand to 16 if we can get Cook Islands and Niue included

 

[isaiah]

The problem there is, Australia is so far ahead of tier 2 countries in quality and quantity of players that we could put our 5th best team on the field and still slaughter most if not all of the teams from that level.

Slight exaggeration, maybe our 3rd best 17 could match png at home or Ireland but it will take all the class of our big 3 to get it done if we get tonga in a sf

 

[KokoRugbyLeague]

Well nz hardly play against the island nations or any nation period between world cups so that has been woeful.

I say expand short term pain for long term vision entailing the key word patience. 32 teams after four world cups is a possibility.

Minimizing the world cup because of thrashings is a step backwards. Scotland and Samoa hopefully you keep at it in the world cup.

The fruits of labour wont be realised if the big three play among themselves or wait for the Kangaroos to hold nz and englands balls.

 

[Valheru]

It has to go to 16, the current format does no favours to the credibility of international rugby league. You will have a less competitive pool stage with AUS/ENG/NZ not getting out of 1st gear to finish first in their group but at least the ridiculous situation of having 75% of teams from 2 groups qualify as opposed to 33% from the other 2 won't be repeated.

16 teams
4 groups
top 2 from each group qualify

 

[Force]

Pullin my leg, source? Or rule, or something?!?!?!?!?

Hi
The answer is yes

The new Eligibility rules have helped Pacific nations but not really Europe

You can expand to 16 if we can get Cook Islands and Niue included

Unfortunately, Niue wont meet the domestic competition criteria even though they are capable of putting out good performances, especially if their heritage players play for them.

 

[adamkungl]

lol Niue fmd.

Stop being so concerned about the results of 1 game or 1 week. Rugby League fans never look at the bigger picture. If injuries and defections fall slightly differently we aren't having this conversation.

Canada, Jamaica, Serbia, Malta, and Cook Islands will be the serious contenders for those 2 extra spots imo. Scotland will still be in the mix, I think they will sort out their domestic issues but even if they don't I wouldn't be surprised if the RLIF just conveniently ignores them

 

[kiwileaguefan]

Like I said- 4 years to fix.
*more international matches
*fix domestic comps

Scotland have had 17 years since their first RLWC. And they only have one player in their squad for this years RLWC that has played domestically (For what i am aware), and now have no domestic competition.

They havent achieved much in 17 years, no way its going to happen in the next four.

 

[SBD82]

Think u might be disappointed on that last bit but let's see..

Yep.

Remember when Lockyer and johns couldn't be replaced?

And Michael Morgan's form this year should be sending shivers down the spine of anyone praying for Australia's downfall.

 

[Pommy]

My understanding is what little domestic action Scotland had was propped up by by English blokes working in the North Sea. When the arse fell out of the price of oil so did their domestic scene.