Bennett: England to play Mid Year test in Aus 2017 + Broncos for WCC

[Pommy]

Bennett stopped players turning out for the pacific test didn't he?

 

[adamkungl]

Do you think NRL sides are going to be happy to release English players in May to fly to Europe? The NRL players are such a large contingent of the England side now it would be pointless without them.
The RFL can at least try to sell it to the SL teams as it being a great advert for the sport.

They could easily put together a strong SL based squad. Hardly pointless.
Current 24 man squad has 8 NRL players.

 

[jim_57]

They could easily put together a strong SL based squad. Hardly pointless.
Current 24 man squad has 8 NRL players.

I'd have no problem with the England full team only using SL players for mid-year Internationals in the Northern Hemisphere. They should be playing France home and away every year, once mid-season, once post season, as well as their little mid-season jaunt to NZ in 2018 onwards.

As for next year, I'm liking the sound of Italy V England or USA V England, probably Italy if they are keen on playing in Australia. Could be one hell of a game as well.

 

[Pommy]

They could easily put together a strong SL based squad. Hardly pointless.
Current 24 man squad has 8 NRL players.

Although when you look at the starting 13 the ratio won't look as good. Plus Bennett will be here.

 

[kiwileaguefan]

vs Lebanon?

 

[roughyedspud]

The RFL & ESL clubs will not be happy to travel halfway around the world,mid season,to play a "2nd tier" nation..

Its australia or NZ....or nothing

 

[jim_57]

The RFL & ESL clubs will not be happy to travel halfway around the world,mid season,to play a "2nd tier" nation..

Its australia or NZ....or nothing

Well Australia and NZ play each other on the only stand alone weekend next year, and I doubt clubs and the NRL will support either of them playing another on an NRL weekend.

So Italy seems the most realistic option if they are set on playing mid-year in Australia. If not a "2nd tier" nation, nothing.

vs Lebanon?

Don't think teams should have warm ups against teams they know they'll play in the WC personally. Plus don't Lebanon and Cook Islands normally play the stand alone weekend?

 

[Pommy]

Well Australia and NZ play each other on the only stand alone weekend next year, and I doubt clubs and the NRL will support either of them playing another on an NRL weekend.

So Italy seems the most realistic option if they are set on playing mid-year in Australia. If not a "2nd tier" nation, nothing.



Don't think teams should have warm ups against teams they know they'll play in the WC personally. Plus don't Lebanon and Cook Islands normally play the stand alone weekend?

There's another non NRL weekend now. And Kiwis and poms can't play in it.

Well some kiwi can't play in it.

 

[jim_57]

There's another non NRL weekend now. And Kiwis and poms can't play in it.

Well some kiwi can't play in it.

Not until 2018 I'm pretty sure?

I'm all for NZ V England on that weekend from 2018 onwards, but as for next year there's only the last stand alone weekend in May.

 

[Pommy]

Not until 2018 I'm pretty sure?

I'm all for NZ V England on that weekend from 2018 onwards, but as for next year there's only the last stand alone weekend in May.

Really I thought it was this 2017.

 

[jim_57]

Really I thought it was this 2017.

I could be wrong, but I thought all the changes happen from 2018 when the new TV deal kicks in. There is no extra stand alone weekend it just moves to Origin 2 weekend.

 

[roughyedspud]

Yep its from 2018