Par-delà les lignes de touche et les murs d’enceintes sportives, une lutte silencieuse se poursuit. Celle d’un sport qui refuse de sombrer dans l’oubli : le rugby à XIII.
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Beyond the sidelines and the walls of sports arenas, a silent struggle continues. The struggle of a sport that refuses to sink into oblivion: rugby league. Dominique Baloup, a key figure in the French Rugby League Federation, offers us an analysis of the state of rugby league in France, its professionalization, and the challenges that persist.
“Rugby league in France is dynamic wherever it exists,” begins Dominique Baloup, president of the French Rugby League Federation. But this vitality remains confined to its southern rugby union areas. For rugby league to become firmly established in the national landscape, we must dare to expand. “One of our major challenges is extending our presence beyond these historic territories.”
A game to rediscover, a spirit to revive
On the world stage, things are shifting. "France is eighth in the international rankings. This reflects our results, particularly against the powers of the southern hemisphere." The goal is clear: to increase the number of high-level confrontations to gain experience. "Our game has become Anglicized. Too much, in my opinion. We have lost some of the French flair that was our strength." He calls for a subtle balance, adopting high-level standards without denying French DNA.
The 2025 World Cup: an aborted dream
The organization of the Rugby League World Cup, scheduled for autumn 2025, has been abandoned by France. "It was complicated because the French government did not consider it credible to commit to the organization. It's a hard blow. We were told that France no longer guaranteed international sporting events... But, shortly after, the president guaranteed the 2030 Olympic Games." Indeed, according to a press release from Rugby League World Cup 2025 dated May 15, 2023, "The financial viability conditions initially defined by the government to provide support for the project, set out in January 2022, were not in fact met, despite the search for solutions and the additional three months granted by the government to the organizing committee at the end of 2022." A contradiction that is difficult to swallow. However, the Federation has not given up: it has applied to organize the Women's World Cup in 2028 and the Wheelchair Rugby World Cup in 2029.
Lack of media coverage
Faced with a lack of media coverage, the Federation is multiplying its initiatives: partnerships with Via Occitanie and Sport en France, and soon, hopefully, a presence on France 3. "France 3 approached us to consider broadcasting rugby league on public service. In 2023, we broadcast 23 events. This is proof of a proactive audiovisual policy." The future is also being built on screens. A television channel dedicated to the Federation, an official website bringing together the matches broadcast every weekend, a unified graphic charter... The objective is clear: to give the public visual references, modernize the image of rugby league, and generate revenue for the clubs.
Transform the game, rebuild the desire
For the president, the most profound area remains that of the game itself. "The current style is too repetitive. For an insider, it's fine. But for the general public, it's boring." He advocates an overhaul, initiated at rugby school, to rediscover risk-taking, freshness, and surprise. "We need a lively, attacking style of rugby that releases the ball. We need a new game." A dynamic that is already underway: "We have begun this work and we have a mentor who is worthy of interest, Trent Robinson, who was voted best coach at the Sydney Roosters club."
A dream within reach: professionalization
At the start of this season, the Elite 1 became "Super XIII," a change of identity to signal an ambition. "It's the beginning of a new adventure. This name breathes new life into our championship, which is moving resolutely towards professionalization." The French team will play Australia, Papua New Guinea, Malta, the Koalas (Australia B), and Ireland as part of its preparation for the 2026 World Cup. "These matches will expand our base of selectable players, while allowing us to raise our level. Only professional sports are supported in all areas." This is Dominique Baloup's key phrase. The dream is clear: to finally bring rugby league into the circle of recognized and supported disciplines. To achieve this, the championship must be expanded, young players offered opportunities, and a stable and attractive environment created.
