australia don't want to host GB

[Rodney]

The Pacific is coming along ok,
PNG has its own domestic team in the QLD Cup + has PM XII and some others at the end of the year
Fiji has a national domestic competition and is planning on using a residents XIII during some of their test matches at the end of the year
I don't know much about samoa, but they've at least officially partnered with the Dragons to provide a development pathway to the NRL.
As far as I know pretty much the entirety of the pacific has a pathway to the NRL (Bar Hawaii).

The pacific has pathways and a majority has regular international competition.

Europe is in much more need for investment than the pacific.
Not just in grassroots, but including serious international matches into the schedule.
Have matches in the post season with full strength sides, Scotland at the moment have a credible squad and Wales and France must be hardened through regular test matches.
The Only way these sides are going to get better is through regular, elite standard matches.

The RFL and clubs need to also work to better scouting measures throughout Europe and create pathways to the ESL.
I'd wager there's more Australian players in the ESL now than European players (excluding England and France) and this needs to change if any of these developing European nations are going to be anywhere near competitive heading into the future

 

[roughyedspud]

the pacific is coming along nicely....


wow...



outside of world cup games you can count the number of tests theyve playing in 10 years on ya f***ing hands!

 

[roughyedspud]

Yeah, and by you lot, you're talking to fans who have virtually no say in the governance of Rugby League in the southern hemisphere.

Idiot.

fans do have a say actually.....we ask important questions,we pressure for answers and things actually move forward..

just cos you lot stick your heading in the sand and pretend everything is ok....or divert shit with pathetic nationalism...

all of you need to grow apair...

and i love you too sweetheart

 

[Rodney]

the pacific is coming along nicely....


wow...



outside of world cup games you can count the number of tests theyve playing in 10 years on ya f***ing hands!

PNG plays PM XIII every year.
Pacific Cup happened in 2009, collapsed, but may be resurrected by PNG
We've had 2 pacific mid-year tests.

Fiji alone played 13 matches outside world cups from 2004-2010.
Samoa played 14 matches from 2004-2014.
PNG have at least played one a year if we include PM XIII.
Must be some seriously mutated hands you got there spud.

 

[The Great Dane]

the pacific is coming along nicely....


wow...



outside of world cup games you can count the number of tests theyve playing in 10 years on ya f***ing hands!

As far as player development and the competitiveness of teams goes, yeah the Pacific Islands are coming along very well.

It's much more likely that Fiji, Samoa, Tonga or PNG will catch up to 'the big three' anytime soon then any northern hemisphere nations and it's all because of investment in the nations domestic RL's and pathways being created to the NRL.

As opposed to the pommy way of thinking of wasting all the money that could be invested on the countries domestic RL's and pathways to the ESL and NRL on expensive, meaningless and often one-sided international competitions that in the long run don't help very many nations grow, and in the cases of smaller poorer nations most likely hinder them.

So in other words an excess of international games isn't something to be proud of as you may be bankrupting the organisations that you are trying to help grow!

Much better to make them competitive and relatively sustainable businesses (with interest from the public) then create lots of competitions for them to participate in when they can afford it, then it is to create the competitions for them to participate in when they're not ready for them, just for them to struggle to keep up with the expenses that come along with these competitions, such as travel fees, etc and either cause their growth to stagnate as they don't make enough money to pay for all these expenses and to grow the game at the same time or for them to go bankrupt early on. Wouldn't you agree?

fans do have a say actually.....we ask important questions,we pressure for answers and things actually move forward..

just cos you lot stick your heading in the sand and pretend everything is ok....or divert shit with pathetic nationalism...

all of you need to grow apair...

and i love you too sweetheart

Maybe in a small amateur league, but not down here where money talks.

What the fans want and what will make the most money aren't necessarily the same thing.

 

[Bronco Rob]

The blokes from here is Australia must have blinkers on or are easily pleased, the state of the International scene down here especially the Pacific Island nations is diabolical. As I've stated before Rugby League has the potential to be the number one sport in the Pacific region but we continue to overlook this potential. Why the Fiji vs Samoa game was not played in Suva is an example of this, the game would have packed their stadium and generated a load of publicity but we go the usual default position of hosting it in Western Sydney, fair dinkum shortsightedness of the highest order!!

 

[deal.with.it]

The state of RL in the Pacific Islands is far from diabolical.

If you read or listen to any of the key people in the Islands, rather than just look at what you want to look at, you'll see that RL is developing nicely in the Pacific.

This is largely thanks to the Islands receiving RLIF/NRL and AusAID funding.

Because of this funding, we are seeing full time employed development officers in the Islands.

Fiji has probably increased domestic activity over the last 10 years by about 500%. They have welcomed in increased sponsorship, government funding and RLIF funding. They have had huge increases across all ages and the game is played in schools now too. Fiji has also played regular test matches, although some of these have had to be without NRL players because of a clash with the season. But just because NRL players are not playing, doesn't mean that these matches are meaningless. If anything, they allow for domestic players to further develop so they can feature in the national team even when NRL players are available (i.e. World Cup, Pacific Test etc).

Samoa has increase activity hugely too. They are not at the same level as Fiji, but they are introducing RL to new ages every year. They have successful open age, 18s, 16s, and I believe they are adding 14s or may have already done so. They also have women playing the game. Outside of Samoa, they also have Samoan aligned teams in NZ and Australia. They have also been much more active in the way of press releases and media. They too have played test matches every year, although some have been without NRL players, but see above eg with Fiji.

Tonga is probably the hardest nation to get information out of. Although they too have increased activity over the over the past 10 years. They definitely still play second fiddle to Rugby Union.

Cook Islands is a tiny Island of what? 20,000 people. They have a open age competition and some junior competitions. The season only runs for a few months and plays second fiddle to rugby union. The Cook Islands is a tough nation to develop. With very little private investment, government reliance on NZ, a small economy and small population, it is difficult to see the Cook Islands do more throughout the year without a significant increase to RLIF funding.

PNG - well, I don't think we need to say much more here. Domestically, they now have their house in order. Have the government funding and private investment to host the pacific cup and a pool of the world cup. Annually, play Aus PMsXIIIs (which last year had something like 10? Australian world cup players). Have also played Fiji in biannual series. Regularly send touring teams. Is sending U19s team to Comm Games exhibition. Have the most funding out of the whole pacific, largely thanks to a pro RL government.

Vanuatu - Early stages of development. Initial work must be done before they can ask for RLIF funding/gov funding.

Solomon Islands - Early stages of development after new body formed to develop the game. Initial work must be done before they can ask for RLIF funding/gov funding.

 

[deal.with.it]

It must also be stated (some may shoot me down for saying) but nations like Tokelau, Niue etc. are hardly worth investing in. They are so logistically challenging, have small populations, have tiny economies etc. that they aren't going to ever challenge the big Pacific Nations.

If Fiji, PNG and Samoa continue to develop as they are doing so, i think it WILL be in my lifetime that we see one of these nations beat one of the top 3.

 

[Bronco Rob]

The state of RL in the Pacific Islands is far from diabolical.

If you read or listen to any of the key people in the Islands, rather than just look at what you want to look at, you'll see that RL is developing nicely in the Pacific.

This is largely thanks to the Islands receiving RLIF/NRL and AusAID funding.

I didn't imply the state of the game in the Pacific was diabolical, far from it, my statement was aimed at the fact that the ARLC could do a lot more and the state of the International side of RL in the Pacific ie: lack of test matches inclusive of NRL players and the lack of test matches hosted in these nations. This will naturally help the game further in the respective nations if we gave a little more attention to them as well as pre-season NRL games or NRL-backed clinics. Petero has done a heap of great work in Fiji but it has not been from ARLC money, it has been from private sponsorship.

 

[deal.with.it]

So the RFL cuts back funding to allow the RLIF to pick up the slack, but you want the ARLC to do the opposite?
The ARLC doesn't do the most they could, but they do things. They send development teams, officers, kits, balls etc.
Fiji gets about $50k from the RLIF, plus gov funding, plus private sponsorship.
They are more than able to develop the sport in Fiji.

 

[roughyedspud]

nobody has said they want the ARLC money....but the need to give their considerible admin skills more focus towards the pacific...


sure the RFL funded the RLEF for 10years...they also sent staff here,there and everywhere,held development clinics,taught new officials,held coaching courses etc...

 

[roughyedspud]

The blokes from here is Australia must have blinkers on or are easily pleased

as someone pointed out...fiji and samao average a game a year over 10 years...


wales,scotland,ireland and france played the same number of tests (13-14) in the 4 years between the last world cups...


pm13 playing 1 game v png...is enough!


having played 2 mid season pacific tests........ is enough!


these people aren't wearing blinkers....the have iron curtains infront of their eyes!

 

[deal.with.it]

Know one said it was enough.
Yes the ARLC could do more.
But they do a lot they dont publicise and the Pacific is not in a diabolical situation.
A GM of the APRLC is needed. The development officers are already there.

 

[Rodney]

How many of those Euro matches had full strength teams though?
James McMannus one of the best legitimately scottish (born there) players in the world, and despite being alligned to scotland he was only called up for the scottish side once from memory.
The world cup.
Which he unfortunately couldn't attend due to injury.

Pat Richards only got called up for ireland (the only country he's ever represented) during the 2008 wc and wasn't called again until 2013.

Euro minnows generally play a lot more tests, but they are almost entirely a domestic supplement to keep locals busy than serious international competition.

These supplements are all well and good, they help keep RL present in these regions, but teams are not developing their best players. The Pacific might not get as much (and we'll always want more) test action, but at least they bring out their best players who gain experience in such an elite environment and within their team structure.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

How many of those Euro matches had full strength teams though?
James McMannus one of the best legitimately scottish (born there) players in the world, and despite being alligned to scotland he was only called up for the scottish side once from memory.
The world cup.
Which he unfortunately couldn't attend due to injury.

Pat Richards only got called up for ireland (the only country he's ever represented) during the 2008 wc and wasn't called again until 2013.

Euro minnows generally play a lot more tests, but they are almost entirely a domestic supplement to keep locals busy than serious international competition.

These supplements are all well and good, they help keep RL present in these regions, but teams are not developing their best players. The Pacific might not get as much (and we'll always want more) test action, but at least they bring out their best players who gain experience in such an elite environment and within their team structure.

At least they were played and if these people you mentioned were bothered in the first place, they would play for nothing. But they ain't bothered because no one will pay these players what they would get if they played in a *proper side.

It's all bulldust and I've just about given up on waiting for anyone in the ARLC or RLIF to do a damn thing. Been here at this site posting for 10 years and they have done phukall in that time in this part of the world.

They are full of shit the people running the game in this part of the world.

 

[deal.with.it]

So much negativity.
PNG is playing 2-3 matches at the end of the year.
Fiji has at least 3, with 2 being full strength.
Samoa is playing 4 full strength matches.
Tonga and Cooks TBA.

That's pretty good when you consider there's no Pacific Cup.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

That's this bloody year, some in here are talking as if these games have been going for decades.

It starts this year, we are yet to see a ball kicked in anger and because it's RL, we may never ever actually get to see these teams play.

That's how it is.

Anyone who thinks the Southern Hemisphere has done anywhere near as much for the game as the Northern hemisphere either has rocks in their head or plainly doesn't know in the first place.

 

[Rodney]

The reason the Northern Hemisphere play more internationals is because its much much cheaper and easier.
Europe in particular can handle these residents kickabouts because there is almost no cost to getting to games.
Most of the teams can drive to where they need to play and visas are a non issue due to schengen.

Any Pacific International is front ended with costs.
Even a residents v residents fixture will involve air travel and the pacific has not been the most fruitful place to make this money back.

Pacific Internationals need to go all out if they ever dream of breaking even and so they occur less frequently.

Europe has the advantage of being able to viably send residents teams while remaining financially viable, so they supplement their short domestic seasons with internationals that clash with the two professional RL leagues.

But these matches aren't really adding much to international rugby league.
They've sharpened the residents XIII's a bit, but there have been very few players jump from European internationals into the ESL and NRL. If these nations are ever going to be near competitive they're going to need to export their talent to the ESL, the French Leagues or the NRL (or lower leagues).
The fact these matches happen in the middle of the season means that if any of these players did get scouted they'd (most probably) miss out on playing for their country.
These matches arent exporting players and most often they aren't helping form combinations for big matches as these residents are discarded for better foreign and heritage players.

These countries still lack paths to the established professional RL leagues and because of this they lag behind the development of other nations.
The PI's have pathways and regular scouts to make up for their relative lack of matches.
A majority of their squads live in Australia and play in the highest standard RL competition in the world.
This is why the lowest ranked pacific island team (the cook islands) sits at 14th out of 33 and before the world cup only the cook islands sat outside of the top 10.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

It's easier for Australia to host games than what it is for anyone else as was shown over the last two sessions without much cost at all.

 

[deal.with.it]

Yeah but if Aus hosts matches ppl complain that these matches should be played in the islands.

Play them in the islands and they cost too much to play.

Play as a residents team and ppl complain that it should be a full strength test.

Play as a full strength team with heritage/import players and ppl complain that it doesnt help development.

You all need to understand that there's no one best way to develop the pacific. What works in europe won't necessarily work in the islands.

These are third world countries with cash strapped governments and little ROI for sponsors.

If every piece of news was released on a central website (ala RLEF) people would see what is going on. But in countries where most ppl dont have a television, what is the point? Other than to please a few foreign white guys.