Since the 2008 WC it feels like we've been having the same old arguments year in year out, which is why people get the shits and go on rants.
There's been great growth in the number of nations picking up the game at grassroots level, safe to say more than ever before in the game's history.
But the story at the top and middle is still one of treading water.
The biggest step taken was Tonga competing with the big dogs and if anything that was a reaction to bad management rather than a result of good.
The big 3 don't play enough games and show no respect to anyone else.
The next 10-15 you could consider 'tier 2' can't afford to play professional quality games and are given sporadic, poorly organised tournaments by the RLIF and antagonistic attitudes from the pro clubs.
World Cups set low bars and still fail to reach them.
Frustrating, rudderless sport.
This European Cup should have been locked and loaded by the new year. The question of England participating should have been decided months ago. Tickets should be on sale now.
The situation in the Pacific is even worse, with Tonga v Samoa laughably scheduled in bloody Campbeltown and no actual Pacific Cup even mentioned by the powers that be. Which leads to PNG picking up matches against England's B-team presumably due to lack of actual Test options
I get that I just find it a bit rich for someone to call out England when we are the only 'big 3' nation to annually play a full side against a team outside that group.
Personally I'm really conflicted on the Euro cup. I want to see the game grow internationally, I'm just not sure a lopsided euro cup is going to be of benefit to anyone. At the same time we won't know for sure unless it is tried.
Do the nations gain much from getting a heap of points put on them, especially when 4 of the 5 teams will have a large contingent of Englishmen and Antipodeans?
Would a euro cup not containing England with an emphasis on developing locals be of more benefit to the sport overall?
Again i'm not trying to say i have the answer just thinking out loud.
I dont think England playing in the comp is going to bring in a lot of money though. Probably not enough to cover the match fees for the side which is probably why the RFL hasn't jumped on the idea.
I also don't think you are going to get huge crowds for the games either, who is going to spend money to watch England vs Italy or wales when NZ are in town a few weeks later?
