Is there no way forward in the Pacific??!!

[nzwarriorskuz]

After hearing Semi's decision to walk out on Fiji and Konrad Hurrell to NZ it seems loyalty is hard to come by these days!! :x I don't know if a Pacific semi pro competition could work.. may seem far fetched though!!! Only other way is for RLIF to have more power of clubs and having more faith in internationals giving more of a meaning to the Pacific nations and international RL in general!!!! PROBLEM SOLVED!!! Rant over :music1:

 

[Evil Homer]

They need meaningful matches. You know Radrada will want to play for Fiji and Hurrell will want to play for Tonga at the WC, but between those periods there's nothing and you can't really blame these guys for not wanting to commit to nations that only play 2-3 relatively low-profile matches in 3 years. Hopefully this will change after 2017.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

Hopefully this will change after 2017.

Is this not what was said in 2013? And 2008 before that?

 

[East Coast Tiger]

They're mercenaries. Time to focus on countries whose players aren't just after $$$ and who actually bring profile and respect to the sport and can lead to further real growth. These pacific countries will never do any of that. Who even cares if Samoa or Fiji get up to near big three standard (never going to happen anyway). It would only show the world how weak the sport is. There's a reason why the rlif wants development in G20 countries.

 

[deluded pom?]

There's a reason why the rlif wants development in G20 countries.

I saw the comment in the RLIF statement but have they actually made any moves to get things progressing?

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Almost certainly not. They probably can't spell G20. I didn't say they are capable of developing the game in any G20 countries, just that they want to. Personally, they should spend money in countries where it will go further like Serbia, Lebanon or Jamaica or maybe even newcomers like the African and Central/South American countries. They should aim to get in where union has not (or not significantly). They might not be world powers but strong teams from places like Jamaica and Serbia would smash a lot of perceptions and could lead to other growth. The likes of USA and Canada have probably missed the boat and will cost too much. France and PNG need more players/teams in the NRL or SL and they'll be right.

 

[Evil Homer]

Is this not what was said in 2013? And 2008 before that?

It was, but back then the RLIF didn't have anything planned or even any real staff, which they do now. I will say that the way the ball was dropped after the 2013 WC was pathetic.

 

[yakstorm]

Whilst painful the news about Konrad and Semi the reality is we are making some progress in the Pacific.

We have more Pacific nations playing the game since 2008 (Vanuatu and Solomon Islands), nations like Tonga and Samoa are actually running both open age and junior competitions every year.

We have full time Development officers in Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and PNG. There are a growing number of legitimate Fijian and PNG players in the NRL and lower grades.

We have the Hunters and hopefully a Fiji NSW Cup team in our second tier competitions. And whilst we would love more af least four of our Pacific nations play at least 1x Test each year.

Sure we would love things to happen quicker and for all players eligible for a Pacific nation picking them over Australia or New Zealand, but at least we are moving forward.

Once the new international structure post 2017 is released hopefully we can get these Pacific nations touring. For someone like England who want to take on better opposition than France and Wales (when they're not playing Australia or NZ), they could do a lot worse than inviting a Fiji, PNG, Samoa or Tonga over.

If the 2013 World Cup showed anything its that you can get a 20K+ crowd to England v Fiji.

 

[hutch]

Well said as per usual yakstorm. Are you involved in rugby league anywhere or development?

 

[nzwarriorskuz]

They're mercenaries. Time to focus on countries whose players aren't just after $$$ and who actually bring profile and respect to the sport and can lead to further real growth. These pacific countries will never do any of that. Who even cares if Samoa or Fiji get up to near big three standard (never going to happen anyway). It would only show the world how weak the sport is. There's a reason why the rlif wants development in G20 countries.

My idea for the G20 countries is they must have a full time paid development officer in China who can speak Chinese and most probably Australian any progress made in China will lead to much bigger things later on. Other G20 countries showing potential is Canada, South Africa, Argentina and Mexico.

 

[siv]

The heart of the problem is that

We have no leadership in the Pacific only Tthe NRL focused on the elite competition

 

[East Coast Tiger]

They need as many in China as possible. It's a massive place.

 

[latingringo101]

The heart of the problem is that

We have no leadership in the Pacific only Tthe NRL focused on the elite competition

I believe there is the Asia-Pacific RL Federation, haven't seen much of them but they're constantly referred to in various Pacific Articles on RL