Another article bout International League I wrote a while back:
International Rugby League – Joke or threat?
International Rugby League has long been thought of as a stain on the game. For many years now, critics acknowledge that domestically our game is far superior to that of our rivals. However internationally, our game is sadly lacking due to lack of forward thinking.
Rugby Union has long been regarded as the superior international game. However the recent world cup has shown us that there is definitely a way to compete. The Union world cup was bland and lengthy and failed to capture the public interest. While this presents a perfect opportunity to strike as code internationally, the issue of International expansion is something administrators have abandoned for far too long.
Every year our media outlets proclaim how good it would be for our international game to be thriving and that we have a competitive environment where anyone can compete with the likes of Australia, England and New Zealand. However, in the same breathe they push a domestic agenda, stating there is too much strain on players.
Recently, the West’s Tigers stated they would not let Robbie Farah play for Lebanon in their World Cup preparation, however, when Farah recently sought an injunction to play. But underneath the surface presents the problem. When told that he would be ineligible to play for Australia if he played, Farah turned his back on Lebanon, sighting ambition to play State of Origin. Media outlets have been pushing for rule changes to accommodate Farah to “aid the international game”, and within this, a farce is presented and the joke is revealed. You can’t have your cake and eat it to.
There has been so much criticism with regards to eligibility and leniency internationally, but isn’t it a hypocrisy to ask for the same for Farah? He should be made to be eligible for Lebanon for the good of the international game, like many other stars, but he should also be made to continue playing with them “for the good of the international game”.
Rugby League is no longer a secret internationally. Thanks to the determination and will of a few; League has expanded exponentially the last 5 years. In 2004, there were 36 affiliated nations, in 2006, 44, and this year there are now 48. These numbers highlight not only a thriving presence internationally, but the potential that exists for a World Cup, that not only rivals Rugby Union, it betters it, both in competition and marketability.
The 2008 World Cup will consist of a small contingent of nations. However, by the next world cup, domestic competitions will be established in nations like Malta, Holland, Lebanon, Serbia and the Cook Islands which will allow a more competitive, expansive and financially viable competition.
However, unless we have players representing their actual nations, this will always be a pleasant fiction and International Rugby League will always be regarded as second best. This season Taniella Tuaiki and FuiFui MoiMoi had stellar seasons, which facilitated them with potential representation selection, with Moi Moi stating “I’ll play for whoever picks me”.
It is this cavalier attitude that must be stopped. Last year, Tuaiki and MoiMoi played for Tonga in an international fixture and within 12 months have turned their back on their nation in order to represent the more fancied New Zealand. If these players were made to play in their prime for their actual nations, this international drain would not exist and the game would not be regarded as a joke.
Rugby League is fast becoming a genuine threat to Rugby Union internationally, if only the administrators and media personalities would get out of its way. Imagine Jennings, Mateo and MoiMoi lining up for Tonga, imagine Farah lining up for Lebanon, then imagine how good it would be if it lasted for more than a one game stunt, as this will not provide adequate incentive to developing nations.
If there is one thing the recent union world cup taught us, is that nations like Argentina, Fiji and Tonga had a lot of potential and were willing to learn, and their success is highlighted in their hard work. If only our administrators had the same ambition to see the true potential our game has, then just maybe we can stop believing that unless you play for the big three, then you are nothing. We need to develop a mentality that to be an International is an honour, no matter who you represent. Let’s make our game the centrepiece it should be.
