England v Tonga Test Series 2023

[Perth Red]

I dont see many fans traipsing down to London in October. Reality is 15-16k is probably the most games against second tier opposition is going to draw outside of a WC. Makes no sense to be playing it in 50k stadiums.

More likely

Game 1 Wigan (25k)
Game 2 MKM (25k)
Game 3 Headingly (21k)

 

[RedVee_8]

No currency in Samoa’s RLWC efforts?

 

[Perth Red]

No currency in Samoa’s RLWC efforts?

Not really, they can use the semi revenge angle for marketing but reality is they arent a big name and many players the English fans dont really know.
Its great to have these series against Tonga and Samoa but lets not pretend they come with the same interest as Australia or NZ series.
15k ish is fine for a start point for this level. 20k for NZ 25k ish for Aus . Thats about where Int Rl is at in UK.
WC 's will always gather a different momentum and wider public interest.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Whilst conveniently forgetting the 43k turned out in Newcastle or the 40k who turned up in London to watch them play Samoa last year? Australia's reluctance to tour has sadly killed the ashes.

And the 60-odd thousand at Old Trafford for the final not involving the hosts.

BTW, I don't want the Ashes to go into hibernation again, but the lack of England-Australia clashes in recent years might actually have people salivating for it more than ever.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Not really, they can use the semi revenge angle for marketing but reality is they arent a big name and many players the English fans dont really know.
Its great to have these series against Tonga and Samoa but lets not pretend they come with the same interest as Australia or NZ series.
15k ish is fine for a start point for this level. 20k for NZ 25k ish for Aus . Thats about where Int Rl is at in UK.
WC 's will always gather a different momentum and wider public interest.

It's a good start that these kind of nations can now be a viable tour option. Hopefully France, PNG and Fiji can be added to that list soon too. But we have to be realistic with the crowds that the newer touring nations will pull.

Hopefully Samoa travel to England next year at full-strength because you do have quite a few of the three (maybe four-peat) Panthers in the side which is also a huge marketing angle. These guys make up most of the backline from the most dominant NRL era side ever.

To'o, Crighton (infamous in England RL circles I'm sure) and Luai (never misses the chance to pull a headline) should be pretty well known and if you throw in a good forward pack and maybe Schuster at 6 and an exciting Faalogo at the back and they should be more competitive than Tonga (who weren't that far off except for game 3).