Aloha Cup 2016

[East Coast Tiger]

Samoa v Tonga again but also Canada v Fjji.

https://m.facebook.com/GrandPacificEvents/photos/a.125054607694876.1073741825.125042987696038/526130177587315/?type=3&source=48

 

[jim_57]

Canada but not the US seems strange?

 

[Burns]

Hmm, weren't these games last year confined to domestic players only?

 

[latingringo101]

Hmm, weren't these games last year confined to domestic players only?

I believe so but i don't mind that.

It's great how they use domestic players for this match

 

[yakstorm]

Most people in Hawaii wouldn't know who any of the professional Samoa, Tonga or Fijian players are, so why waste money trying to draw them across when Resident teams will do.

Grand Pacific Events has been able to make money out of this event (hence why it's been going now for 8 or so years) using Residents so makes sense for them to continue with it.

 

[hutch]

It's fine using domestic players, just wondering if there is any crossover between the test team and the domestic team. It would be strange if the teams had different officials, coaching staff etc but they are wearing the same jersey and playing for the same country. It would be great if these teams had the support of their NRL players/officials.

 

[spinnerhowland]

It would be great if they used some of the money they make to actually start some domestic RL in HI. I am unaware of any operating RL clubs in the islands that play games on a regular basis. From what I have heard they take Unions players who have some RL experience to make up the HI team. If they are making money off the tournament, why not use some of it to develop a local HI RL comp?
Where does the money they make go?

 

[yakstorm]

Unfortunately the group who run the event have no interest in supporting a domestic league. They are an Events company which coordinate Rugby League, Rugby Union and Concert events in Hawaii.

They are just in the game to make money. If RL stopped generating funds for them I'm sure they'd drop the event quickly.