Not sure what NRL teams playing in these places has to do with development of players. They have scouts for that you know. Sounds like 2 different issues.
I've lived in Wagga Wagga, plenty of sporting greats come from the Riverina...Mark Taylor being one
I'm not sure how many Sheffield Shield games were played there though.
I know you weren't replying directly to me, but you make an interesting point
Playing NRL games in the Country is really a unity thing rather than a development issue but it does have implications in the long term.
As you know, having lived in Wagga, that many people in the bush feel neglected when it comes to events being held. If someone living in Wagga or Dubbo or Bathurst wants to watch a game of NRL they have to travel to Sydney or Canberra or Melbourne.
We would garner a lot of good will and loyalty from people in the bush if we give a little back
The way the game and the clubs have treated City v Country is nothing short of disgraceful and it shows how little the NRL think of the game by the way they scheduled it and allowed clubs to withdraw.
The NRL has shown a distinct lack of spine when dealing with the clubs.
They promised the clubs a far bigger salary cap than was sensible, then tried to renege on it to give support to grass roots football and now look like screwing the grass roots to keep the clubs happy
Over the course of the current television agreement, the whole of Country Rugby League has been promised $24 million in funding. That is really poor and its no wonder clubs in the bush feel neglected
Taking some NRL games to Country towns will give the towns themselves and their local Rugby League clubs a real shot in the arm. Taking one home game every two or three years isn't a massive commitment from the clubs - but 4 or 6 NRL games a year in Country NSW is a massive deal to the regional towns themselves
