International NEWS

[Foreign Legion]

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rug...arlc-chairman-john-grant-20171216-h05wg7.html


Australian Rugby League Commission chairman John Grant predicts NRL games will be taken overseas "in the next one to two years".

The 2025 World Cup will be staged in the US, and Rugby League Central is keen take marquee events over there in the lead-up. The first step is broadcasting games in America from next season, although taking competition games could soon follow.
England and New Zealand are poised to play Test matches in the US from next season, but Grant believes that is just the beginning.


"I am an internationalist," Grant said. "The game of rugby league in Australia and England, if it retains its focus exclusively on the territories in which it currently operates, can't grow and capitalise on this game. We've got to start focusing on the international environment and that means clubs in our league, the NRL need to lift their eyes.

Advertisement
"When they start lifting their eyes it will give them an opportunity at the next stage of growth. We think that's international. If you're going to build new markets, you need to take a few games to those markets.

"You can feel the momentum building around us and it helps we've just had the World Cup so that everyone can see what is possible. That is the springboard for the next stage. Why would clubs start to look up? Because the funding the commission has given them for the next five years allows them to lift their eyes."

Making the game global: Corey Makelim collects the ball during the USA's match against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby. Photo: AAP
The commission will be a very different entity once Grant leaves. After the major stakeholders agreed to constitutional reform, the clubs and states will be represented on the ARLC. Grant denied this would make the independent commission less independent. "Everyone started this journey saying that we needed a voice for all the big stakeholders in the game," he said. "The commission endorses that. We are not going to lose the independence of the commission in that process. There's no question about the commission remaining
independent."

Island time
Tonga star Jason Taumalolo met with NRL boss Todd Greenberg and ARLC chairman John Grant to discuss opportunities for the nation to capitalise on its World Cup heroics. In a clear sign he intends to stick with Tonga after defecting from New Zealand, Taumalolo sought assurances the fourth-ranked nation would get chances to participate in quality Test football next year and beyond.

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf also attended, with the quartet aligned on the need to ensure the international game is well promoted.

The World Cup is expected to make a profit of of about $6 million.

 

[latingringo101]

I'm a bit concerned when Grant leaves. He's a International RL enthusiast and helped make the International Free weekend and Pacific tests. Now with Greenberg in charge and clubs having greater say there's a possibility the NRL could give into their demands and clubs could dictate international matches and not the RLIF

 

[taipan]

But according to Rothfield all Grant does, is sit in business class seats on planes, uses hire cars, stays at the Palais de Wealth Hotels,and eat caviar .

 

[DC_fan]

The game needs to expand, otherwise it will eventually die. The question is, where do you take the NRL games? I would like to think China.

 

[deluded pom?]

I'm more concerned by the claim that the WC will only post a $6M profit. Didn't they promise $12M? Who's going to make up the shortfall? This equates to about £3.5M. Nigel's new job will take a fair chunk of that leaving very little to fund the RLIF's initiatives for the next four years. Disgraceful.

 

[taipan]

I'm more concerned by the claim that the WC will only post a $6M profit. Didn't they promise $12M? Who's going to make up the shortfall? This equates to about £3.5M. Nigel's new job will take a fair chunk of that leaving very little to fund the RLIF's initiatives for the next four years. Disgraceful.

I understood the figure was around the $7m mark.Still short though.

 

[deluded pom?]

I understood the figure was around the $7m mark.Still short though.

Just going by the article in the OP. Whatever they claim it won't be $12M.

 

[taipan]

Just going by the article in the OP. Whatever they claim it won't be $12M.

Yep.But it could be worse such as the 2000 loss,taht put rugby league back somewhat overseas.
Think the 2021 in the UK will do heaps better.

 

[Perth Red]

“Yes but it could be worse”. You should get that on your gravestone taipan lol

 

[deluded pom?]

“Yes but it could be worse”. You should get that on your gravestone taipan lol

The guy's an optimist.

 

[Foreign Legion]

League 1 side Hemel have handed a contract to Greece international front-rower Stefanos Bastas.

Bastas had recently been on trial with the Stags and will now be part of their squad for 2018.

Coach Dean Thomas said: “We’ve been really pleased with Stefanos’ progress so he will be signing for the club.

“He’s a big strong frontrower and will hopefully make a real impact for us,. He’s a really good honest guy who is great to have around the club.”

Former Bradford academy centre Brad Adams has also joined the Stags having spent the past couple of years in Australia.


https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/greece-international-gets-hemel-chance/

 

[deal.with.it]

How many nations have domestic players now playing professionally?

I can think of:
USA (Ryan Burroughs),
Serbia (couple playing in French Elite),
Greece (Bastas),
France,
Wales,
Ireland,
PNG,
Fiji,
Canada (Quinn Ngawati)

What about Scotland? Any domestic developed players?
I know that the Wolfpack picked up a Jamaican, but he now plays in amateur ranks. I heard of a couple Italian players playing in the amateur ranks in England and Aus.
Was Tepai Moeroa born and raised in Cook Islands?
I know there is a few tonga and Samoa born players, but did they actually start playing there first?

 

[Perth Tiger]

I think Hurrell and Kata came from Tonga in their teens but went to NZ on Union scholarships so I assume they played union in Tonga

 

[LeagueXIII]

But according to Rothfield all Grant does, is sit in business class seats on planes, uses hire cars, stays at the Palais de Wealth Hotels,and eat caviar .

News Ltd muck have been trying to drive Grant out for a long time always discrediting him as they did with Smith after the TV deal.

During Grant's career he gave up money to help out his South Brisbane club through a tough time, also played in the 1972 World Cup in France for Australia and had a guest stint in England with Warrington from December 1972 to March 1973.

So you could see where he would get his taste for international league from his own experiences as a player. Media never mention this though, infact I recall Rebecca Wilson saying he switched to rugby union (she forgot or didn't know that union banned all players from league so this was basically a lie to support her crap about him).

 

[taipan]

News Ltd muck have been trying to drive Grant out for a long time always discrediting him as they did with Smith after the TV deal.

During Grant's career he gave up money to help out his South Brisbane club through a tough time, also played in the 1972 World Cup in France for Australia and had a guest stint in England with Warrington from December 1972 to March 1973.

So you could see where he would get his taste for international league from his own experiences as a player. Media never mention this though, infact I recall Rebecca Wilson saying he switched to rugby union (she forgot or didn't know that union banned all players from league so this was basically a lie to support her crap about him).

Good points.I also remember that Rebecac Wilson bagging the Commission stating there was no one who had a rugby league background.She obviously never heard of Wayne Pearce or John Grant.
Is it any wonder why many rl fans, detest the journalistic work of the Wilsons,FitzSimons,Rothfields,Massouds and to a degree even Kent.

Any journalist who is concerned about and rubbishes a chairman of an organisation who is a successful business in his own right, having the audacity to fly business class,use decent hotels, and use hire cars, is a scourge on the sport, knows as much about the business world,as I do about Nth Korean dietary habits.

News have never bagged Gallop.Wonder why? wouldn't have anything to do with the fact, he was a former News in house Lawyer.

 

[deal.with.it]

This is getting off topic. But, the NRL is and should continue to provide media content in house so they can control it.
The NRL App is where it is.
The RLIF should follow suit. I'll build it for free.

 

[Foreign Legion]

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/manchester-mayor-named-rfl-president/

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has been appointed as the new president of the RFL.

Burnham, 47, will start the post in July 2018, succeeding Air Commodore Dean Andrew OBE RAF.
Recently vocal about the perceived lack of media coverage of the sport, Burnham is an avid rugby league fan and honorary vice president of Leigh Centurions.

He said: “Being asked to represent the proud sport of Rugby League is one of the greatest honours I’ve ever been given.

“Over the years, my love of the game has grown and grown – as a sometime player, a touchline dad and an avid supporter of Leigh Centurions. At a time when other sports have become more detached from their communities, rugby league remains rooted in theirs and that community spirit is its great strength.

“Greater Manchester is one of the sport’s greatest heartlands. We have six famous clubs and a grassroots and club structure that is strong. I see it as an important part of my role as Mayor of Greater Manchester to develop the game here and further afield.

“I believe Rugby League has huge untapped potential. It is a fantastic sport that builds teamwork, promotes strength of character and brings communities together. This passion needs to be nurtured if we are to develop this great game from grassroots upwards and encourage more people, particularly our younger generation, to get involved.

“I will seek to use my time in the privileged position of President to raise the profile of the sport in any way I can.”

 

[roughyedspud]

A few years ago when Andy was minister for sport I suggested he'd make a good chairman or CEO of the RFL...and was shouted at by just about everyone on TRL lol

 

[LeagueXIII]

Good points.I also remember that Rebecac Wilson bagging the Commission stating there was no one who had a rugby league background.She obviously never heard of Wayne Pearce or John Grant.
Is it any wonder why many rl fans, detest the journalistic work of the Wilsons,FitzSimons,Rothfields,Massouds and to a degree even Kent.

Any journalist who is concerned about and rubbishes a chairman of an organisation who is a successful business in his own right, having the audacity to fly business class,use decent hotels, and use hire cars, is a scourge on the sport, knows as much about the business world,as I do about Nth Korean dietary habits.

News have never bagged Gallop.Wonder why? wouldn't have anything to do with the fact, he was a former News in house Lawyer.

You are 100% correct....that was her argument saying the commission had no league background and because it was to a Melbourne audience on SEN the hosts never questioned it.

I remember saying the same thing, Wayne Pearce was vice captain of Australia, Grant played for Australia and Chris Sarra's brother Zac played top level league with Easts in Brisbane.

So what the hell was she on about other than an agenda driven by News Ltd.

 

[StadiumXIII]

The game needs to expand, otherwise it will eventually die. The question is, where do you take the NRL games? I would like to think China.

India also, other parts of Asia.. if we're looking at places where rugby league is already doing well probably Serbia. South Africa..