Four Nations to be reviewed (possible inclusion of Pacific Islands Team)

[samoajoe1979]

Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/four-nations-facing-the-axe/story-e6frep5x-1225948988906

THE Four Nations is in danger of the chop, with officials considering cutting the tournament back to a Tri-Nations format to include Australia, New Zealand and England.
Despite the current tournament drawing widespread criticism - largely due to the poor showing of England and Papua New Guinea - it won't change until 2014.
The International Rugby League Federation (RLIF) is locked into playing next year's Four Nations in Europe, with Wales, the European champions, replacing PNG as the fourth team.
There is no Four Nations tournament scheduled for 2012 because of the World Cup the following year.
But The Sunday Telegraph has learned that changes are already being discussed, which include cutting the tournament back to three teams, or including a Pacific Islands team as the fourth side to tackle Australia, New Zealand and England.
"We will review the whole tournament," a well-placed official said.
"We may come back to a Tri-Nations and have another tournament for emerging nations, which may run parallel with that, or we could maintain this Four Nations format."
RLIF chairman Colin Love confirmed that the inclusion of a combined Pacific Islands team - made up of players from Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and PNG - would be discussed.
"That hasn't been promoted by the Island nations, but obviously it's something we will consider," Love said.
"Whether they form part of the Four Nations, or other international matches, is something that can be considered."
Tonga World Cup coach and former Australian international Jim Dymock backed the idea.
"It's a big opportunity for that fourth side, whoever gets in, and it's hard to see Papua New Guinea get pumped like they are," Dymock said.
"You want to see them go well, and with the other sides involved it would be a lot more competitive. They'd also get a lot more people coming out to the games."
The credibility of international rugby league has come under fire over the past month, with claims the Four Nations is doing more harm than good.
However, Love claimed the current tournament was a success both on and off the field.
"I'm happy the way the tournament has gone, although having said that I'm disappointed the England team hasn't lived up to expectations," Love said.
"They're a very good team on paper and their pack would be competitive against any other international pack.
"But it's just disappointing that they haven't been able to show that on the field.
"And as far as the matches between Australia and New Zealand are concerned, I don't think there's a struck match between them."
Love also admitted there was no firm solution towards closing the gap between Australia and their rivals.
"It's a balancing exercise," he said. "On the one hand, you've got to do what you can to develop these emerging nations and get them up to speed. Then you have to balance that against just playing the best nations against each other.
"You can have others criticising that, too, if you stop these other nations from getting an opportunity. But when you see them at that level, you can see how big the gap is."


I thought the mention of a possible inclusion of a combined Pacific Island's Team was quite interesting. I really hope they consider it as it would be an interesting spectacle. Since there is no Four Nations in 2012, maybe they could experiment with a Pacific Islands team to play a 3 test series against the Kangaroos. Put them up against the world's best and see how they go.

 

[Front-Rower]

Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/four-nations-facing-the-axe/story-e6frep5x-1225948988906

THE Four Nations is in danger of the chop, with officials considering cutting the tournament back to a Tri-Nations format to include Australia, New Zealand and England.
Despite the current tournament drawing widespread criticism - largely due to the poor showing of England and Papua New Guinea - it won't change until 2014.
The International Rugby League Federation (RLIF) is locked into playing next year's Four Nations in Europe, with Wales, the European champions, replacing PNG as the fourth team.
There is no Four Nations tournament scheduled for 2012 because of the World Cup the following year.
But The Sunday Telegraph has learned that changes are already being discussed, which include cutting the tournament back to three teams, or including a Pacific Islands team as the fourth side to tackle Australia, New Zealand and England.
"We will review the whole tournament," a well-placed official said.
"We may come back to a Tri-Nations and have another tournament for emerging nations, which may run parallel with that, or we could maintain this Four Nations format."
RLIF chairman Colin Love confirmed that the inclusion of a combined Pacific Islands team - made up of players from Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and PNG - would be discussed.
"That hasn't been promoted by the Island nations, but obviously it's something we will consider," Love said.
"Whether they form part of the Four Nations, or other international matches, is something that can be considered."
Tonga World Cup coach and former Australian international Jim Dymock backed the idea.
"It's a big opportunity for that fourth side, whoever gets in, and it's hard to see Papua New Guinea get pumped like they are," Dymock said.
"You want to see them go well, and with the other sides involved it would be a lot more competitive. They'd also get a lot more people coming out to the games."
The credibility of international rugby league has come under fire over the past month, with claims the Four Nations is doing more harm than good.
However, Love claimed the current tournament was a success both on and off the field.
"I'm happy the way the tournament has gone, although having said that I'm disappointed the England team hasn't lived up to expectations," Love said.
"They're a very good team on paper and their pack would be competitive against any other international pack.
"But it's just disappointing that they haven't been able to show that on the field.
"And as far as the matches between Australia and New Zealand are concerned, I don't think there's a struck match between them."
Love also admitted there was no firm solution towards closing the gap between Australia and their rivals.
"It's a balancing exercise," he said. "On the one hand, you've got to do what you can to develop these emerging nations and get them up to speed. Then you have to balance that against just playing the best nations against each other.
"You can have others criticising that, too, if you stop these other nations from getting an opportunity. But when you see them at that level, you can see how big the gap is."


I thought the mention of a possible inclusion of a combined Pacific Island's Team was quite interesting. I really hope they consider it as it would be an interesting spectacle. Since there is no Four Nations in 2012, maybe they could experiment with a Pacific Islands team to play a 3 test series against the Kangaroos. Put them up against the world's best and see how they go.

Isn't there no 4 nations in 2012 because the ARL have an agreement with the players union in regards to not playing end of season tests in that particular year?? Thought I heard this on one of the broadcasts during one of the games.

 

[Butters]

Shorten the ESL and NRL by a month.
4 nations becomes 3 nations with each team playing each other twice.
England, Australia and NZ have warm up series versus minor nations before the 3 nations.
Problem solved, the main comp isnt tainted with easy wins and the minor nations still get regular tests.

 

[roughyed8]

Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/four-nations-facing-the-axe/story-e6frep5x-1225948988906

THE Four Nations is in danger of the chop, with officials considering cutting the tournament back to a Tri-Nations format to include Australia, New Zealand and England.
Despite the current tournament drawing widespread criticism - largely due to the poor showing of England and Papua New Guinea - it won't change until 2014.
The International Rugby League Federation (RLIF) is locked into playing next year's Four Nations in Europe, with Wales, the European champions, replacing PNG as the fourth team.
There is no Four Nations tournament scheduled for 2012 because of the World Cup the following year.
But The Sunday Telegraph has learned that changes are already being discussed, which include cutting the tournament back to three teams, or including a Pacific Islands team as the fourth side to tackle Australia, New Zealand and England.
"We will review the whole tournament," a well-placed official said.
"We may come back to a Tri-Nations and have another tournament for emerging nations, which may run parallel with that, or we could maintain this Four Nations format."
RLIF chairman Colin Love confirmed that the inclusion of a combined Pacific Islands team - made up of players from Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and PNG - would be discussed.
"That hasn't been promoted by the Island nations, but obviously it's something we will consider," Love said.
"Whether they form part of the Four Nations, or other international matches, is something that can be considered."
Tonga World Cup coach and former Australian international Jim Dymock backed the idea.
"It's a big opportunity for that fourth side, whoever gets in, and it's hard to see Papua New Guinea get pumped like they are," Dymock said.
"You want to see them go well, and with the other sides involved it would be a lot more competitive. They'd also get a lot more people coming out to the games."
The credibility of international rugby league has come under fire over the past month, with claims the Four Nations is doing more harm than good.
However, Love claimed the current tournament was a success both on and off the field.
"I'm happy the way the tournament has gone, although having said that I'm disappointed the England team hasn't lived up to expectations," Love said.
"They're a very good team on paper and their pack would be competitive against any other international pack.
"But it's just disappointing that they haven't been able to show that on the field.
"And as far as the matches between Australia and New Zealand are concerned, I don't think there's a struck match between them."
Love also admitted there was no firm solution towards closing the gap between Australia and their rivals.
"It's a balancing exercise," he said. "On the one hand, you've got to do what you can to develop these emerging nations and get them up to speed. Then you have to balance that against just playing the best nations against each other.
"You can have others criticising that, too, if you stop these other nations from getting an opportunity. But when you see them at that level, you can see how big the gap is."


I thought the mention of a possible inclusion of a combined Pacific Island's Team was quite interesting. I really hope they consider it as it would be an interesting spectacle. Since there is no Four Nations in 2012, maybe they could experiment with a Pacific Islands team to play a 3 test series against the Kangaroos. Put them up against the world's best and see how they go.

Stoping Aus and NZ cherry picking the best talent from the PI's would help for a start, telling dual qualified players if they choose the Island Side they forfeit the chance of playing Origin is tantermount to blackmail, its not as if they need to use such tactics.

 

[deluded pom?]

Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/four-nations-facing-the-axe/story-e6frep5x-1225948988906

"That hasn't been promoted by the Island nations, but obviously it's something we will consider," Love said.
"Whether they form part of the Four Nations, or other international matches, is something that can be considered."

The PI nations haven't promoted it but it's something the NRL want to trial so we'll probably run with it.

"I'm happy the way the tournament has gone, although having said that I'm disappointed the England team hasn't lived up to expectations," Love said.
"They're a very good team on paper and their pack would be competitive against any other international pack.
"But it's just disappointing that they haven't been able to show that on the field.

Try giving us a chance to compete then Colin instead of insisting all things are in the Kangaroos favour.

"And as far as the matches between Australia and New Zealand are concerned, I don't think there's a struck match between them."
Love also admitted there was no firm solution towards closing the gap between Australia and their rivals.
"It's a balancing exercise," he said. "On the one hand, you've got to do what you can to develop these emerging nations and get them up to speed.
.

Stop taking the pi$$ Colin.

 

[adamkungl]

lol...weak. Stick with it

 

[roughyedspud]

a PI team will do NOTHING for the development of the game in the pacific islands...


but obviously its easier to arrange test matches for a single PI team than it is to organise tests for tonga,fiji,cooks islands and samoa...so in typical RL short sightedness aPI will probably happen

 

[typicalfan]

Perhaps poor scheduling is as much to blame. I quite enjoy watching PNG play and no doubt they are getting better.

 

[pcpp]

I loved the 2004-06 Tri-Nations.

Heaps of passion and really put international football on the front foot. Even some Englishman saying "I'd rather be in Blackpool than Bondi" managed to get on the backpage for a few days.

But going back isn't the answer. If we held a double round robin Tri-Nations this year it's likely that we would've had 3 weeks of dead rubbers since England has been so poor. PNG would've been a lot more appealing if they hadn't selected such a poor side due to internal politics.

I like the idea of the Pacific Islands as a team, and if given time to grow, they may one day enjoy the same respect as the West Indies do in cricket.

It will get Pacific players more high level test matches, and in turn improve performances for the individual nations at the World Cup as well.

(I don't like the concept if it means France/Wales don't get a crack at 4N however)

 

[miguel de cervantes]

Shorten the ESL and NRL by a month.

Unfortunately your plan fails here. The money generated by four rounds of NRL and ESL would far outstrip that generated by a few tests. Try convincing NRL clubs to take a serious pay cut for the benefit of rugby league in Tonga.

 

[Jankuloski]

Dumb idea.. Team with no passion will be only fractionally better then the others.

It will be rejects from aus or nz.. Maybe if the ARL discontinue their policy in regards to SOO we would have better rejects.. but I don't feel for it.

I enjoyed watching PNG.. Once they get an NRL team, or they start seriously developing one (their bid is solid, but no team is taking shape) - they'll be up to par..

 

[adamkungl]

Unfortunately your plan fails here. The money generated by four rounds of NRL and ESL would far outstrip that generated by a few tests. Try convincing NRL clubs to take a serious pay cut for the benefit of rugby league in Tonga.

The mid-Origin rounds can't be worth that much...no one turns up to them anyway, half the players are out...

I'd have a 22 round NRL comp regardless of benefit to the international game, personally.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

The mid-Origin rounds can't be worth that much...no one turns up to them anyway, half the players are out...

I'd have a 22 round NRL comp regardless of benefit to the international game, personally.

So do I, but even the mid-origin rounds would be worth more.

 

[joshreading]

I am all for a Pac Islands team, and it would certainly have positive flow on affects for the Pac Islands.

At present Pac Islands players regularly turn out for Australia and New Zealand (Uate being the most recent). This could be stemmed if they have the chance to regularly represent against the Big Boys.

I would require that to qualify for Pac you need to make yourself available for your 'home nation'. Obviously this would bring some players back to both Pac and their home nation. Imagine seeing Lote or Civoniceva back in a Fiji shirt and Pac shirt. (this would attract FAR MORE attention then PNG getting flogged). They love him even when he turns out for OZ, imagine how much that can increase if he represented them for both Fiji and Pac.

It could actually be more legitimate then teams such as Samoa which is nearly EXCLUSIVELY Kiwi's of Samoan heritage.

It could actually compete and even make a stab at winning on its day.

Due to its competitiveness, the financial possibilities are far greater. People might actually turn out and pay. TV ratings will be higher to watch a team of players that (atleast NRL fans but also SL fans) would know rather than the complacency found with watching a team of players no body has largely heard of cop a flogging. (and yes we all watched it but we are the exception)

I would also not just have them in the Four nations (which might need a tweek obviously) but I think a Pacific Origin against New Zealand should be on the cards at the same time as SOO.

 

[Joker's Wild]

Didnt Union try a combined Pacific team a few years back?

Im not convinced such a concept would work in League either given the rivalry between the nations. Would feel much like a Barbarians/All Star side with no national pride to play for.

We would be better off going back to a tri nations with a lower teer international comp running as undercards fielding PNG, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Australia B, NZ B/Cook Islands. Would be more competitive and allow the minnows to get more exposure

 

[Mullins_y2k]

I like the idea but no australia/NZ b thats lame imo

 

[NRLMad]

Pac Islands could be good for the short term. Longer term they would need to split into smaller nations..

 

[meltiger]

a PI team will do NOTHING for the development of the game in the pacific islands...


but obviously its easier to arrange test matches for a single PI team than it is to organise tests for tonga,fiji,cooks islands and samoa...so in typical RL short sightedness aPI will probably happen

Just out of interest, why do you believe this?


The Union PI team only failed because of one of the nations virtually going bankrupt

 

[stormbati]

Althouth it didnt work in union, I think it has a much better chance in League.
Most Rugby clubs were hesitant to realease players, plus the NRL and SL run at the same time. Very little road blocks.

If not a combined Pacific side, then atleast a second tier competition. France, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, PNG, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Is, USA. Much better then watching them getting flogged every test.

 

[Kurt Angle]

Fair dinkum, one year where PNG look paltry, because of internal disputes, and we want to pack it in.

A Pacific Islands won't work because PNG, mainly melanesian, will have no historic or cultural ties to feel any emotional bond with Polynesians.

I would back an international side called 'Polynesia', made up of Tongans, Samoans and CI'ers, but not a PI team that also sticks in PNG'ians and Fijians.