Call to Younger NRL Fans up to 25 Years of Age

[Bookie]

I'm 19, and I'm from an Indian background. And there are heaps of kids who love league who are from Asian backgrounds who really can't feel any allegiance to any nation. Not that I'm not proud to be an Australian, but in other sports where there is so much of a contest, its much easier to support.

When it's a massive one sided fiesta you can't really support Australia when growing up youve been told to support the underdog.

On a more general note, if every player went and played for the country in which they were born etc it'd be nice. Of course it is their choice and they should play for whom they feel happy to represent. But that said, there have been many discussion, here and elsewhere, about how awesome certain polynesian teams would be. If that could occur, then the huge market of polynesian youth would also be attracted. They don't want to go see ultimate whitewashes at this point in time.

I can see why the RLWC will have the certain groupings, so as to not cause one-sided affairs, but it just doesn't seem to have the pull power that world cups of other sports would have. It's probably because we dont have a f**king clue who is in the other international teams. Other sports, you know who to hate, you know who the star player is. This however, is like a glorified club comp you might see at the local park on the weekend.

 

[alexc]

heaps of my mates and I got tickets to the final but besides that I may rock up to another game with the big teams at lang park. Keeping my fox subscription over the summer to watch some of the sh*tty teams go round.

I hope it is a sucessful competition but I have serious doubts. I predict it to be as bad at the Union and cricket offerings. Which is a shame.

 

[dimitri]

i think NZ winning the tri nations and then following it up with a Golden Point loss in the final the following year showed us how amazing international league can be!

This World Cup will hopefully serve up something very special!

 

[adamkungl]

heaps of my mates and I got tickets to the final but besides that I may rock up to another game with the big teams at lang park. Keeping my fox subscription over the summer to watch some of the sh*tty teams go round.

I hope it is a sucessful competition but I have serious doubts. I predict it to be as bad at the Union and cricket offerings. Which is a shame.

If it's "as bad" as the Union and Cricket offerings, a lot of people will be happy, considering these are widely considered as very successful WCs, even though they are in pretty much the same position regarding number of powerful nations. I think there are a few major hopes, which if achieved will make this a very sucessful RLWC and a great platform from which to grow the next one, and the international game as a whole:

- Profit. Already achieved from what i've heard.

- Good crowds to every game. One of the BIG deciders of whether this will be ridiculed or applauded. QLD and Melbourne will surely pack out all their games. NSW needs to get over its laziness, and pack out the 2 SFS games. Should happen but knowing us Sydneysiders, probably won't. Newcastle will sell out for its game. But Penrith, Parra, Wollongong, and the CC? I'm really hoping they all manage consistent 20k crowds...bit worrying though, it would look terrible if they don't.

- Close, exciting games. This one can't be influenced by fans obviously. Depends heavily on NZ and England turning up to match it with Australia. A win by either of these over Australia in the pool matches would do wonders for interest in the competition and set up a huge final, as pissed of as I would be. The lower nations will hopefully put on a good display, but will be cannon fodder when they reach the finals. No one can really ask much more. I think France has the potential for an upset in them, and could be the feel good story of the competition. Hopefully they make a good showing of themselves before the future Quad series.

 

[Lockyer4President!]

^^ I just read an article in the WC forum [link here] that the ARL has so far raised $20 million from the tv rights alone (it'll be shown in 125 countries too). Things are looking good.

It seems to me that many NRL fans in this age bracket have never really had a great deal to do with the international game of rugby league.

In some respects, their main passion for the game will have been along the lines of club loyalties or State rivalries.

Very true. In saying that I've always loved the international game. Some of my favourite RL memories are from tests, I'll certainly be getting behind this WC in the hopes that it's the start of a new era for RL in Australia.

 

[adamkungl]

Ok, I need to scrape together $138. My plan is to go to 6 games, 2 SFS 2 Parra 2 Penrith. This whole thing is set during my uni exam period too, so id better start studying

 

[DangerMouse_007]

If it's "as bad" as the Union and Cricket offerings, a lot of people will be happy, considering these are widely considered as very successful WCs, even though they are in pretty much the same position regarding number of powerful nations. I think there are a few major hopes, which if achieved will make this a very sucessful RLWC and a great platform from which to grow the next one, and the international game as a whole:

Hmmm In cricket theres Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, England, South African, India ,The West Indies and Sri Lanka. Thats 8 teams that all have some stars and are capable of beating one another on there day. Throw in Zimbabwe and Bangladesh who can also spring some upsets. The League World Cup have 3 teams and thats it. We don't even have an equivalent Bangladesh. No one is any chance of beating those three teams at any stage in the tournament.

 

[SaveTheChildren]

I'm still in that age bracket, just, and have been an international supporter for a few years now. I still care about club and SOO, but I wouldn't care if I never saw another club game if it meant there were great internationals on all year round. With club football now little more than lacklustre "a who can buy the comp" event international football delivers a better contest where money is not the number one factor in determining the make-up of the sides or the outcome.

You should stay away from the moroccan woodbines.

 

[Serc]

I'm 24 and to be honest I've never got too excited about international RL...though I am gonna make sure I watch a fair handful of games during the WC, partly because there are Knights players in other teams

 

[Loudstrat]

Dangertwat, who really cares? Should League apologise for only having 3 pro nations? Should the Kangaroos apologise for being so bloody good?

Anyone who saw the 3 Ashes tests of the 1990 Kangaroo Tour knows that whatever Yawnion and Cricket have to offer - it has to be absolutely first class to get near that level!

And what Cricket or Yawnion international would draw over a million viewers nationwide for each of a three test series that is screened at 5am? From the upset at Wembly, to the miracle tries to Lyons and Meninga at Old Trafford, to Blocker's famous "look at the scoreboard" taunt at Elland Road. Wonderful.

International League at it's best eclipses Origin.

 

[Mr. Fahrenheit]

i'm 18, i love RL, but Int RL is my passion. Club games come next, shortly followed by SOO... although i'm extremely passionate about both Parra and QLD, i like to see the Intl game prosper coz i love to see RL prosper.

 

[DangerMouse_007]

The guy compared the cricket world cup to the league world cup. I found that ludicrous.

Here are the odds for the world cup according to Centrebet.

Australia $1.18
New Zealand $7
England $8
Samoa $101
France $101
PNG $301

It's a hot field.

 

[ledzep]

I'm 19, and International rugby league is easily my favourite form of the game
There's been some amazing matches over the last 5 years
I wouldn't care if I never saw another Origin game again tbh

 

[Brownie.Kougari]

2007:
Aus PMXIII - 24
PNG PMXIII - 24

2008

Aus PMXIII - 54
PNG PMXIII - 30

Just about a million times more competative than the last 3 games of the NRL!

Oh, and the 06 TriNations final is far and away the best game of rugby league I've ever seen. Better than any Origin.

 

[adamkungl]

Hmmm In cricket theres Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, England, South African, India ,The West Indies and Sri Lanka. Thats 8 teams that all have some stars and are capable of beating one another on there day. Throw in Zimbabwe and Bangladesh who can also spring some upsets. The League World Cup have 3 teams and thats it. We don't even have an equivalent Bangladesh. No one is any chance of beating those three teams at any stage in the tournament.

Well, the gist of my point still stands. Someone said it would be 'just as bad as union and cricket'. If in any way the rlwc manages to match either of these a lot of people will be happy.

 

[alexc]

When I said that I was referring to the latest rugby and cricket world cups. Both were fairly boring and longggggggggg way too long. The rugby was a goal-a-thon (suprise) and the cricket just seemed to drag on forever. While they may have made the dollars they werent a very good spectacle.

RL just needs some people to turn up and for some other teams to put up a fight. Don't think it will happen but as a league fan I would love to be proven wrong.

 

[DangerMouse_007]

People won't be disappointed if they are realistic in their expectations. It will be a success if:

- Its a bit of fun for the lesser sides.
- We see a competitive semi or final where Australia are pushed hard.
- France don't completely embarrass themselves.
- It gets some exposure in England and New Zealand.

If it achieves this goals it will be a success. I think it will.

 

[Calixte]

Hmmm In cricket theres Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, England, South African, India ,The West Indies and Sri Lanka. Thats 8 teams that all have some stars and are capable of beating one another on there day. Throw in Zimbabwe and Bangladesh who can also spring some upsets. The League World Cup have 3 teams and thats it. We don't even have an equivalent Bangladesh. No one is any chance of beating those three teams at any stage in the tournament.

There are 10 teams in the tournament.

We'll just see how it goes shall we...

Enjoy all.

 

[SaveTheChildren]

People won't be disappointed if they are realistic in their expectations. It will be a success if:

- Its a bit of fun for the lesser sides.
- We see a competitive semi or final where Australia are pushed hard.
- France don't completely embarrass themselves.
- It gets some exposure in England and New Zealand.

If it achieves this goals it will be a success. I think it will.

If England and NZ step up, it will be fantastic for league. It hasn't happened in my lifetime though and I'm 35. Forget the one off NZ fluke.

NZ and the poms must bring the goods to the table.

 

[Calixte]

That is a gross misrepresentation. The PMXIII is not the international side.

The last 3 NRL games have been damn good football. Better than any international by far.

06 trinations was a flash in the pan.

It wasn't a PNG national side either this year.

Nice contribution.

:lol: