Best Case Scenario for Rugby League World Cup

[Leagueguy]

I have to admit I'm ignorant about exactly what form the world cup will take here in 2008, but I'd love to see it do well. I'm assuming you guys organizing this media campaign have as good an ideas as anyone about what to expect. So what do you think this World Cup is capable of in terms of attendances and ratings? Can we generate the same kind of interest the Union World Cup did with big crowds at games involving smaller nations? Will games be played all over Australia like the Union world cup? I understand it is very difficult to forecast what might happen, but I'd be interested to here a realistic, but optimistic best case scenario.

 

[ali]

Your guess is as good as mine in terms of how successful it will be. I think the Union World Cup was a success because of excellent marketing that led to a perception that this was a wonderful once in a life time event. The media coverage and crowds, didn't really fit the standard of play which history shows produced many one sided games.

I don't think the RL authorities will be able to create such a positive spin around our event. In fact, I am more concerned about the negative spin from RL haters and inward looking Rugby league types. Hence the media campaign to try and educate the RL media and RL followers, so they will be more inclined to defend international RL come Cup time. The majority of Rl fans would be surprised at just how well RL is doing outside of the big 3 nations. Hence the global spread of RL is underestimated, whereas the global spread and success or Union is generally overestimated at least here in Sydney.

The media campaign is really taking the place of the RLIF's / ARL's non existent media department. If we go into this world cup in 08 with the RL public having no idea about the teams and how they got there, we are open to attacks from all angles and the general public will probably buy it. e.g the teams are made up.

So that's why I think this is so important. With a tournament like this momentum will be very important. Little things like positive or negative media coverage will effect the crowds. We are still battling all the negativity that came out of the 2000 World Cup.

 

[roopy]

I think they will succeed in marketing the 10 side comp on the basis that all sides will have NRL and ESL players.
I also think high profile coaches and training camps conducted with top personalities will boost the media image.
The lesser games will be played at country venues where they will fill the stadiums (Newcastle, Townsville, Gosford) - while the Aus, NZ and England sides will sell out bigger venues.
It will work - and best of all - it will turn a profit - which will mean money to spread the game internationally - and incentive to do it again.

 

[International RL]

I have to admit I'm ignorant about exactly what form the world cup will take here in 2008, but I'd love to see it do well. I'm assuming you guys organizing this media campaign have as good an ideas as anyone about what to expect. So what do you think this World Cup is capable of in terms of attendances and ratings? Can we generate the same kind of interest the Union World Cup did with big crowds at games involving smaller nations? Will games be played all over Australia like the Union world cup? I understand it is very difficult to forecast what might happen, but I'd be interested to here a realistic, but optimistic best case scenario.

In our favour is that it is going to coincide with centenary celebrations, so there should be a feel good 'fuzzy' feeling around rugby league in 2008. This can only help the tournament. Hopefully the Trinations will be a big success and wet the appetite for more international rugby league in 2008. WE need to get the message out there re: qualifiers and try and get people at least open to the idea of a world cup. Don't forget we have a massive built in audience as a rugby league nation with the nrl one of the biggest sports domestically. All it will take is to get those people open to the idea. Then you only have to convert a small amount of 'blow in' fans and you have the basis for a very successful world cup. With a bit of luck we will have a few surprise packet nations that will excite and engage the public with a bit of a romantic fairytale run to the semis. If australia could get boiled over in the pool matches that would be great too.

Ultimately it will come down to promotion and hype to make sure we engage the aforementioned groups.

I think the talent is there in the sides to take care of the remaining point I made, particularly with the island nations, PNG and france's progress not to mention Wales.

 

[joshreading]

I think alot will come down to how well the Tri Nations goes and how places like Melbourne respond. It has the potential to be a great event - but I do believe that the power base in Australian Rugby League need to back it - that being the NRL Clubs and their supporter groups.

 

[bender]

I think the crowds and attendance will be average early on. But, and it is a big if, but if the games are televised on free to air, they will achieve absolutely spectacular results that astound executives and lead to a massive grand final (assuming Australia make the GF and are given a scare in preliminaries). If the results of the last 10 team GF are mirrored, International RL will finally arrive, despite initial modest crowds.

 

[bartman]

They should be looking at sell outs in big city stadiums for the (presumably) the two semi-finals and final, no less. The other games, I wish people would get out to see them, but if we are expecting big full houses for (no offence) France v PNG, then we might be dreaming?

There are opportunities for good crowds though in the pool matches, especially the games in which Australia and New Zealand compete. It depends how they target the locations and stadium sizes for these matches, whether the interest is to fairly spread the games across locations, or the main interest is to make sure there are no financial losses this time.

For example, you could possibly look at a 20,000 full house at (for example) Parra Stadium for an Aus or NZ (or England?) pool game, compared to the risk of not filling a bigger capacity ground (and having increased costs vs unfulfilled income as a result). Some grounds cost more to hire than others, this has to all be factored into the sums. Pool games not involving the bigger countries will draw smaller live crowds, and should be played in smaller (cheaper) venues and locations.

This can't afford to lose money, two WCs in a row in the red would be a disaster. They need to build expectations around the series to make sure they get as much as they can out of broadcast rights, remembering there are costs to be covered for ten squads and their touring parties.

 

[In-goal]

best case scenario is Australia missing the final and NZ v England playing off. let's be honest the Kangaroos need to go on a losing run to help promote themselves sounds crazy but you all now it to be true.

 

[100%green]

I've been wishing that for ages.

 

[International RL]

How about Australia not coming from behind to arse rape the side that has out played them for 79 minutes?crazy:

 

[ali]

The Kiwis look good though tonight. I think they proved to everyone they are a good side. It also goes to show how crucial the decision of Hunt was to play for Australia. Throw him in with SBW and Marshall for NZ, and I reckon NZ would start beating us at least 50% of the time. Unfortunately though, with Hunt an Aussie and the emergence of Inglis, I think the balance will go something like 60-40 to the Roos for the next decade.

 

[International RL]

I hate Hunt so much...

How this bloke is allowed to play I will never know.

 

[KalgoorlieRed]

Trouble is rugby league doesnt treat its games as events.

 

[yosh64]

Trouble is rugby league doesnt treat its games as events.

True. Why is it that when i see a broadcast of an AFL match it goes for ages with heaps of time put into discussing the match before the bounce. Discussion about match ups and key players, etc. Whereas league just gives us the names of the starting side and thats pretty much it. Its all packed into a neat 2hr broadcast!

Clearly you can tell when something is like an 'event'. Bledisloe cups have a heap of discussion before hand, same with Origin. So if seven and ten can put the effort into AFL matches and making it seem like an event why cant nine do the same for NRL.

Plus AFL does a 'rivalry round' and a 'heritage round' and build up the ANZAC day clash at the MCG. We get sporadic stuff with not much effort put in. Parra had a match the other day with a heritage jersey on, but thats one team without much promotion! The rooters/st george ANZAC clash is big but its not built up much. It could be a sellout all the time with some effort put in. NRL needs to take a leaf out of Crowe/Courts book and out some effort into crowds and promotion. Every week there is an ad in the papers, deals with the easter show, promotion of away games (1st round at rooters home)!

 

[brendothejet]

Best thing would be France defeating Australia 28-6 in the final in front of 83k....

 

[yosh64]

Best thing would be France defeating Australia 28-6 in the final in front of 83k....

Haha, yeah your right but it wont happen. Pretty positive that its gonna be a Aus v NZ final and clearly the only other team to make the final is GB. Thats why its not competitive yet. But Australia getting beat would help the international game and probably the domestic if people think we could loose it. So C'MON FRANCE!:lol: