International Tournaments after 2013

[Jet Black]

The absolute battering given to France and Wales by England over the last few weeks points to their being 3, possible 4 tiers of RL International ability.
FWIW, I would look to run the following tournanents post 2013 with a view to getting more games and therefore, improving standards.

2014:
4 Nations England, New Zealand, Australia and highest placed pacific nation at RLWC 2013 to be played in New Zealand
Pacific Cup running alongside this tournament, Played in Australia and featuring development teams from Australia and NZ
France to Play England Knights over a 3 test series
Northern Hemisphere Cup, featuring USA, Canada, Jamaica, Italy, Lebanon, Ireland, Scotland, Wales....this should be based along the M62 using Salford, Leigh, Wire and other RL grounds,with maybe a final at St Helens
2015:
4 Nations England, New Zealand, Australia and highest Northern Hemisphere nation from 2014 to be played England
Pacific Cup Played in New Zealand
France to tour PNG and play Aussie and NZ A teams
Northern Hemisphere Cup, featuring USA, Canada, Jamaica, Italy, Lebanon, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, maybe centered in the south of France.

2016:
4 Nations England, New Zealand, Australia and highest placed pacific nation from 2015 to be played in Australia.
Pacific Cup running alongside this tournament, Played in New Zealand and featuring development teams from Australia and NZ
France to Play England Knights over a 3 test series
Northern Hemisphere Cup, featuring USA, Canada, Jamaica, Italy, Lebanon, Ireland, Scotland, Wales....this should be based along the M62 using Salford, Leigh and other RL grounds,with maybe a final at St Helens

2017 RLWC year......all teams should get the chance to play a minimum of 3 games in the run up to the tournament.

2018: Repeat as above.

The main problem as I see it is funding, but if RL is to truly expand as an international sport, then someone, somewhere, is going to have to fund it.

 

[Evil Homer]

Why do France have to play against a bunch of reserve teams?

It's disgraceful how disrespectful fans from Australia, NZ and England are towards other nations.

 

[blukablu]

All but three of those tournaments would be run at a massive loss and get such small attendances that would make international RL look like a complete joke. The RLIF and the RLEF would go bankrupt in a year or two hosting tournaments in traditional areas that do nothing to grow the game. Dumb idea.

 

[newman]

Its not hard. Run a 5 nations tournament in the exisiting 4N format, just let the qualifying team play 2 years in a row, alongside Pacific Cups and Euro Cups every year.

 

[Jet Black]

Why do France have to play against a bunch of reserve teams?

It's disgraceful how disrespectful fans from Australia, NZ and England are towards other nations.

Not disrespect....just reality. 92-10.....16 tries to 2, that's not doing any favours to French RL and England RL won't have learnt a lot either.

In 7 matches between France and England, the score stands at 7-0 and 316 points to 46.......how is that anything other than a farce?

1990 was the last time France beat GB, 1980 New Zealand and 1978 Australia. They would get more from playing PNG and development/2nd string squads from the big 3 than they will from losing 45-7 every time.

As for the money side of things.....if 'the game' wants to grow internationally, then 'the game' needs to put its hand in its pocket.....the NRL and SL are the only cash cows the sport has.....it's in their interest in the long term to help finance this growth.

 

[Evil Homer]

1990 was the last time France beat GB, 1980 New Zealand and 1978 Australia. They would get more from playing PNG and development/2nd string squads from the big 3 than they will from losing 45-7 every time.

How would they? How would you expect anyone to ever improve by segregating them and forcing them into meaningless, Groundhog Day-like matches against second string sides? Why should nations not be allowed to compete with each other simply because you've decided that it's not worthwhile? This pathetic view is a plague on the sport at international level.

In 2003, France were beaten 68-6 by an England 'A' side comprised of fringe SL players. It's arguable that the current French team would come close to beating England's 2008 World Cup side. If you are an international RL fan then you would support the international game and not stupid ideas such as segregation and made-up, contrived teams.

 

[PacificCoastRL]

In my opinion what we have just witnessed in this tournament between France, Wales and England did nothing to improve the standing of rugby league in these three countries. The pounding that France and Wales took at the hands of England will do nothing in terms of recruitment of players to rugby league in any of three nations, and I can't see how the players on any of these teams will have improved their abilities. England was not pushed in any of the games. How anyone would think this would be advantageous to the English in their quest to topple New Zealand or Australia is beyond me.
I think that the English would have been better served playing a three-game series against an "Exiles" squad, while the French and Welsh would have been better off playing a three-game series under a France v Celtic Nations arrangement. Both series would have been close and could arguably come down to the third game to decide a series winner.

 

[deal.with.it]

Why get rid of what little consistency we already have.
The Euro Cup in 2010 saw some great games played in front of plenty of fans.
Games like Wales vs France are great for both nations. They are on a similar level, and get more of a chance to pull off set plays.
Games like Scotland vs France are good for Scotland to test themselves.
Games like Scotland vs Ireland are great because they are on a similar level.
Games like France/Wales vs England/Aus/NZ are great for France/Wales because they get to test themselves against the next tier.
And then games like France vs Wales are great because they get to play better as a team.
And then next time they play aus/nz/england hopefully they improve.
The only thing that needs fixing is:
A pacific cup played regularly like the euro cup.
Italy in the Euro Cup.

The next tier of nations should play in RLIF funded comps until they have the necessary base to improve: Juniors, Semi-pro comp, Sponsors, AND A PROPER GOVERNING BODY!
These include Atlantic Cup (RSA, USA, CAN, JAM); Euro Shield (Malta, Serbia, Russia, Czech etc..); Asia/Pacific Shield (Thailand, Philippines, Vanuatu).

ITS NOT f**kING HARD! STOP TRYING TO MAKE RADICAL CHANGES BEFORE THINGS HAVE EVEN SEEN THE LIGHT OF DAY!

 

[Springs]

I read up to England Knights play France in a three test series and wondered where the hell you got your reasoning from. England Knights is not a test side, they cannot play tests.

How anyone would think this would be advantageous to the English in their quest to topple New Zealand or Australia is beyond me.

They have valuable time together training and playing as a squad. You clearly do not know how valuable that time can be.

 

[Springs]

And not to mention that England tried to play tests down here but were denied by both Australia and New Zealand. So this tournament was really a last option.

 

[PacificCoastRL]

I read up to England Knights play France in a three test series and wondered where the hell you got your reasoning from. England Knights is not a test side, they cannot play tests.



They have valuable time together training and playing as a squad. You clearly do not know how valuable that time can be.

There is some value from training together, but little value during the games when playing against a squad that has for the most part packed it in after 40 minutes, or sooner. The pace of the game, the intensity of the game that they played in the final against France would in no way compare to the pace and intensity they will face against New Zealand and Australia. Even the benefits from training is minimal. Listen to any pro athlete talk - they will tell you that nothing beats playing in a game.

 

[Hollywood Jesus]

Personally, I think the Pacific Cup should be played as an opener to a Four Nations in Aus/NZ.

Would offer better promotion, increase attendance and reduce costs while giving all the benefits that the tournament could offer.

 

[Springs]

There is some value from training together, but little value during the games when playing against a squad that has for the most part packed it in after 40 minutes, or sooner. The pace of the game, the intensity of the game that they played in the final against France would in no way compare to the pace and intensity they will face against New Zealand and Australia. Even the benefits from training is minimal. Listen to any pro athlete talk - they will tell you that nothing beats playing in a game.

I'm not talking about intensity and pace. Combinations, moves, tactics, game plans, set plays, fitness etc will all improve with every game played. Teams don't just start mucking around if the other side runs out of puff. A few years ago England were losing to France at half time, but they played much better this year and that will help a lot for next year.

For a forward or outside back it's a lot easier to run off a half or run the right lines if you know the players next to you. The rookies in the squad this year will be much better next year for the experience of playing with the veterans.

 

[siv]

Why get rid of what little consistency we already have.
The Euro Cup in 2010 saw some great games played in front of plenty of fans.
Games like Wales vs France are great for both nations. They are on a similar level, and get more of a chance to pull off set plays.
Games like Scotland vs France are good for Scotland to test themselves.
Games like Scotland vs Ireland are great because they are on a similar level.
Games like France/Wales vs England/Aus/NZ are great for France/Wales because they get to test themselves against the next tier.
And then games like France vs Wales are great because they get to play better as a team.
And then next time they play aus/nz/england hopefully they improve.
The only thing that needs fixing is:
A pacific cup played regularly like the euro cup.
Italy in the Euro Cup.

The next tier of nations should play in RLIF funded comps until they have the necessary base to improve: Juniors, Semi-pro comp, Sponsors, AND A PROPER GOVERNING BODY!
These include Atlantic Cup (RSA, USA, CAN, JAM); Euro Shield (Malta, Serbia, Russia, Czech etc..); Asia/Pacific Shield (Thailand, Philippines, Vanuatu).

ITS NOT f**kING HARD! STOP TRYING TO MAKE RADICAL CHANGES BEFORE THINGS HAVE EVEN SEEN THE LIGHT OF DAY!

Totally agree

While SOOis being played

Eng v France, Wales, Lebanon (full strength) - Euro 4 Nations
NZ v PNG, Fiji, Samoa (full strnegth) - Pacific 4 Nations

Then a end of serson - Tier 1 6 Nations

Plus Pacific 6 Nations & Euro 6 Nations

 

[titoelcolombiano]

England, Wales & France would have all benefited from this year's test series. England would have found it invaluable to develop depth, combinations, game plans etc and the other two got to test themselves against one of the big boys.

The scorelines in my opinion say more about the sharp edge that England have developed than the failings of the French or Welsh.

I think stick with the international tournaments we have and let them develop. I would even love to see a mid year international window open up if stand alone state of origin weekends eventuate. Shut down the NRL for three weeks and whilst state of origin is being battled out all other players are realeased for national duty for three consecutive weekends. It would mean that origin is finally benefitting the international game by getting us that mid year window. The Aussies of course would not be able to play tests but the other nations would jump at it I am sure ... and just quietly if the current NSW / QLD divide in the Australian camp gets any worse (re: the team song row after the recent test) they could be ripe for the picking at the world cup next year. A house divided will fall in on itself.

 

[roughyedspud]

Its not hard. Run a 5 nations tournament in the exisiting 4N format, just let the qualifying team play 2 years in a row, alongside Pacific Cups and Euro Cups every year.

a 5nations tournament will take 7 weeks to complete just like the old tri nations


its has to be a 4,6 or 8 team comp to be completed within a 4 weeks




also the 2014 4nations is going to be between australia,NZ,england & a pacific island "allstars" team

 

[Broncos thats my team]

a 5nations tournament will take 7 weeks to complete just like the old tri nations


its has to be a 4,6 or 8 team comp to be completed within a 4 weeks




also the 2014 4nations is going to be between australia,NZ,england & a pacific island "allstars" team

It best not be, unless it is somehow going to benifit the individual countries, not just so be NRL allstars.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

also the 2014 4nations is going to be between australia,NZ,england & a pacific island "allstars" team

Is that confirmed? If so it is a poor idea. PNG are getting a QLD cup side from next year and a regular Pac nations cup with a crack at the 4 nations every second year is what they need as a follow up step - instead a side of Pac island heritage players that missed the kiwis and kangaroos squads will take their place.

Not right and not in the spirit of international development.

 

[roughyedspud]

the pacific cup needed happen regularly after the last world cup......not 6years later

 

[nadera78]

I'd go with the RLWC on a four year cycle as we finally seem to be set on. Then I'd have a European Championship and Pacific Cup on another four year cycle so they occur on the mid-way point between word cups. So RLWC in 2013 / 2017 / 2021, and the Euro & Pacific comps in 2015 / 2019 / 2023.

The important thing would be to give the Euro & Pacific Cups legitimacy, which means the big guns being involved. The Pacific Cup would see Australia and New Zealand seeded into the second round, so we'd have two groups of 3 - PNG, Fiji, Cook Islands, Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu - with the winner of each group going through. Then the semi finals and final. Whilst the group games are taking place Australia can play NZ Maori in Hamilton and New Zealand play the Aboriginals.

The European Championship would be England, France, Wales and a qualifier from the Euro Shield held the previous year (contested by Ireland, Scotland, etc).

That routine would allow two free years - following and prior to a RLWC - for Tri Nations or whatever.