australia don't want to host GB

[hutch]

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.

We havnt even tried to develop rugby league in the pacific. Are you happy with where we are currently and with our strategy for strengthening rugby league in the pacific?

 

[deal.with.it]

Of course not, but I'm not signing up to the views of some on here that don't know the half of what goes on in the Pacific.

 

[roughyedspud]

we're not on about the domestic aspect...png & fiji are going fine...tonga & samoa seem abit of a mystery though..

we on about the end product...International RL,

there needs to be a full 'A' team structure...ie a 'A' team pacific cup......as well as a full blown pacific cup

 

[deal.with.it]

The two are hardly seperable.

 

[roughyedspud]

of course they are...u

the 'A' teams are solely for domestic players...providing a development pathway from domestic leagues to international RL

 

[deal.with.it]

So Spain and Belgium play a full test next week, and the RLEF gets a pat on the back.
But really it's a domestic International 'A' match, the same as which Samoa, Tonga etc play several every year.

Ireland has only just introduced the sport to U18s, but because they play with a bunch of poms and aussies in Irish jerseys at the end of the year, they're seen as being futher along the development process.

 

[deluded pom?]

Belgium played Spain today. Spain won 12-10.

 

[roughyedspud]

So Spain and Belgium play a full test next week, and the RLEF gets a pat on the back.
But really it's a domestic International 'A' match, the same as which Samoa, Tonga etc play several every year.

.

spain v belgium was'nt a 'A' match at all!!



you really are'nt grasping the 'A' team concept!


teams like tonga,samoa,fiji,wales,ireland,scotland etc can field a full strength test team with players from the NRL,ESL (championships/nsw/qld cups)....

their 'A' teams would comprise solely of players from those countries DOMESTIC LEAGUE...call them residents if you struggle with 'A' teams


spain & belgium can't call upon dozens off NRL/ESL players....their teams are their full strength teams hence it not being a 'A' match

 

[Bronco Rob]

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.

Although the RFL aren't exactly guiltless I am again talking about the state of the International game not the domestic development going on in the Pacific. An example is staging Internationals between Pacific nations in their actual country rather than the default Western Sydney venues. These games would be huge in their respective nations and build interest in RL.

I've said it for years all the Commission needs to do to help grow the game in the Pacific and other nations is to have salary cap exemptions for players from second-tier or developing nations as long as they are bona-fide recruits and not just born there. This would give clubs incentives to invest in these nations and if kids from these places can see a pathway they will take up RL as a sport. It would also benefit the International game's strength and credibility, create a greater talent pool for NRL players and create more interest overseas.

 

[deal.with.it]

I know what an A team is.
You're missing my point.

 

[deal.with.it]

Bronco Rob,
I'd love for the ARLC to provide more $.
I'd prefer the money go to the RLIF and the proper governance pathways be developed.

All i was trying to highlight is that the RLEF isn't as far ahead of the pacific as some here suggest.
Also, that the RFL is forcing the RLIF's hand now so why should the ARLC do the opposite?

 

[roughyedspud]

i've explained several times pal...the RFL have been giving the RLEF admin staff and CASH for 10+ years...



now....im not that bothered about the ARLC stumping up some money for the pacific...but at least put some sort of resource into the damn thing.....

asign people as development staff,run competitions,run coaching clinics in the island etc

 

[deal.with.it]

Yes I'm well aware.

But the ARLC has employed pacific development officers.
It has given money to the pacific.
It's sent staff to run courses and clinics.


It just hasn't done it the same way as the RFL.

Also, nations in the pacific don't release a press statement every time a coaching course is conducted, like the RLEF.

I really don't think you have understood me.

 

[RedVee]

So, what's happening with GB?

 

[roughyedspud]

nothing...


unless NZ stand up to the NRL union and host GB,which is very unlikely,then GB won't be touring

 

[RedVee]

Bloody shame

 

[roughyedspud]

It just hasn't done it the same way as the RFL. .

you can say that again....st george going to samoa talent scouting....or joey & freddie finding a hotel belboy isn't international development..

organising all the pacific teams to play during the anzac weekend is development

organising a annual a pacific cup is development

organising annual 'A' teams / residents pacific cups is development

organising annual junior (u21s) tests is development

sending the pm13 on extended tours of tbe pacific is development



alot of what the ARLC/NRL does in the pacific isn't about strengthening international RL its about strengthening the NRL brand

 

[hutch]

you can say that again....st george going to samoa talent scouting....or joey & freddie finding a hotel belboy isn't international development..

organising all the pacific teams to play during the anzac weekend is development

organising a annual a pacific cup is development

organising annual 'A' teams / residents pacific cups is development

organising annual junior (u21s) tests is development

sending the pm13 on extended tours of tbe pacific is development



alot of what the ARLC/NRL does in the pacific isn't about strengthening international RL its about strengthening the NRL brand

Well said. Things are slowly changing but until we see some action it's the same old story. Rugby league should be the booming sport in all pacific nations, we've only just started scraping the surface!

 

[deal.with.it]

I agree 100% with what you have listed as the next steps.

But, it is not fair to say the ARL does nothing.
Nor is it fair to match up some of the euro development with the pacific, when a lot is inflated by the RLEF or yourselves.

 

[Rodney]

Oh wait..
Its on again.. maybe.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...wright-20140622-zsi0d.html?rand=1403430608950