Loudstrat
Coach
- Messages
- 15,224
Hows this for an idea?
A 12 team comp over 5 weeks played each February, alternating between Australia/NZ/PNG one year, and UK/France the other. 3 pools of 4 teams, with the winners playing a finals series. The winning pool team with best F and A goes straight tothe final, and the other 2 winning pool teams play a semi final with the winner making the other final spot.
The teams:
NSW
Queensland
Australian Aboriginal
New Zealand Maori
New Zealand All Whites
Yorkshire
Lancashire
France
Pacific Cup winner
Pacific Cup runner up
Other Nations Qualifier 1 (from other European nations/USA/South Africa)
Other Nations qualifier 2
Eligibility for teams would be based on a preference system depending on the old grandparent rule favoring the Aboriginal sides. EG Inglis and Thurston play for the Aboriginal side instead of QLD. Fui Fui plays for Tonga (if they make the cut) instead of one of the NZ sides.
Weeks 1-3: Pool games
Week 4 - Semi final
Week 5 - Final
EXAMPLE
Pool A
QLD
NZ Maori
Samoa
USA
Pool B
Lancashire
France
PNG
Ireland
Pool C
NSW
NZ All White
Australian Aboriginal
Yorkshire
THE POINT?
Firstly, development of other nations with a regular, annual hitout against the top sides, giving them exposure in the media, and also developing League as an annual event in developing nations, rather than a haphazard mish mash while they wait for a World Cup
Secondly, pitting the top rep sides against each other at sub Test level.
Thirdly, by diluting the test sides of the Big 3, the talent gap is narrowed between them and other nations - making the cop more competetive.
Finally, February is the trial season for NRl clubs, who usually sit their stars out and fiddle with combinations and up and comers. These stars could instead play in the international comp.
PROBLEMS?
Player burnout: The Elite players can elect not to play. My argument is that if Lockyer, Smith and Slater opted out of the QLD side, they would still field a top side with replacements who would relish the opportunity to play for their state - and give selectors a chance to give them a run with a view to Origin.
Cost: Paid for by sponsorship, TV rights (38 games) and gate.
POTENTIAL?
A NSWv Lancashire final at Wembly or Elland Road, or a QLD v NSW final at Suncorp or ANZ.
Thoughts?
A 12 team comp over 5 weeks played each February, alternating between Australia/NZ/PNG one year, and UK/France the other. 3 pools of 4 teams, with the winners playing a finals series. The winning pool team with best F and A goes straight tothe final, and the other 2 winning pool teams play a semi final with the winner making the other final spot.
The teams:
NSW
Queensland
Australian Aboriginal
New Zealand Maori
New Zealand All Whites
Yorkshire
Lancashire
France
Pacific Cup winner
Pacific Cup runner up
Other Nations Qualifier 1 (from other European nations/USA/South Africa)
Other Nations qualifier 2
Eligibility for teams would be based on a preference system depending on the old grandparent rule favoring the Aboriginal sides. EG Inglis and Thurston play for the Aboriginal side instead of QLD. Fui Fui plays for Tonga (if they make the cut) instead of one of the NZ sides.
Weeks 1-3: Pool games
Week 4 - Semi final
Week 5 - Final
EXAMPLE
Pool A
QLD
NZ Maori
Samoa
USA
Pool B
Lancashire
France
PNG
Ireland
Pool C
NSW
NZ All White
Australian Aboriginal
Yorkshire
THE POINT?
Firstly, development of other nations with a regular, annual hitout against the top sides, giving them exposure in the media, and also developing League as an annual event in developing nations, rather than a haphazard mish mash while they wait for a World Cup
Secondly, pitting the top rep sides against each other at sub Test level.
Thirdly, by diluting the test sides of the Big 3, the talent gap is narrowed between them and other nations - making the cop more competetive.
Finally, February is the trial season for NRl clubs, who usually sit their stars out and fiddle with combinations and up and comers. These stars could instead play in the international comp.
PROBLEMS?
Player burnout: The Elite players can elect not to play. My argument is that if Lockyer, Smith and Slater opted out of the QLD side, they would still field a top side with replacements who would relish the opportunity to play for their state - and give selectors a chance to give them a run with a view to Origin.
Cost: Paid for by sponsorship, TV rights (38 games) and gate.
POTENTIAL?
A NSWv Lancashire final at Wembly or Elland Road, or a QLD v NSW final at Suncorp or ANZ.
Thoughts?