Next TRI Series in Aus and NZ

[Ollee]

I thinks Jeffles suggested format is a good one. I personally think the Tri series should be every second year. Alternating between the Northern and Southern Hemisphere, so the timing would revert to how it used to be we go to GB every 4 years and Gb to Australia every 4 years. I think that way the concept wouldn't be flogged to death as well as the burnout factor for the players. What fixtures could be scheduled in between is debateable, a 2 match series between 2 of the big three one year or a World sevens/nines tournament?

 

[Jeffles]

Thanks for the feedback.

I miss tours but the success of the Tri-Nations is undeniable. Perhaps a tri-Nations every 4 years half way between the RLWCs with tours in between could be a goer.

 

[~bedsy~]

I like you're thinking, Jeffles. Would prefer to see a game played in Newcastle than Melbourne, but that's just personal bias. I like to think Newcastle would get a better crowd, too.

Love the idea of playing PNG in the off-week. If the European Nations Cup had been better planned- the current tri series participants could clash.

I agree, Newcastle sold out in April this yr and with the stadium getting upgraded again with more seating I'm sure it will get more people there.
However it is a good idea.

 

[Jeffles]

In the interests of expansion I opted for Melborune over Newcastle or Canberra.

Also, I thought the Newcastle Test this year DIDN'T sell out.

 

[Greenblooded]

They need to keep it in the UK for GB to be competitive, the brits get hammered when they come over here :lol:

 

[In-goal]

:roll:

 

[yakstorm]

The direction I feel the tournament needs to take, and thankfully is one that has already started to be raised by the officials and coaches is the inclusion of France to make it a four nations tournament.

With France in the mix, you can now have a guarenteed game every year in each country, ie, GB V France (Home and Away) and Australia V NZ (Home and Away) as the opening rounds of the tournament, and then for the rest and the final, either the Roos and Kiwis head north, or the Lions and Chanticleers head south.

The four teams would also mean that there could be SUPER weekends on International football, say you could have on Friday night Australia V Great Britain at Suncorp, and on Saturday night New Zealand V France at Auckland, or something like that.

Once France goes pro in 2006, they will become a lot more competitive a lot quicker simply due to having a professional pool of players to pull from for the first time.

 

[Copa]

The direction I feel the tournament needs to take, and thankfully is one that has already started to be raised by the officials and coaches is the inclusion of France to make it a four nations tournament.

With France in the mix, you can now have a guarenteed game every year in each country, ie, GB V France (Home and Away) and Australia V NZ (Home and Away) as the opening rounds of the tournament, and then for the rest and the final, either the Roos and Kiwis head north, or the Lions and Chanticleers head south.

The four teams would also mean that there could be SUPER weekends on International football, say you could have on Friday night Australia V Great Britain at Suncorp, and on Saturday night New Zealand V France at Auckland, or something like that.

Once France goes pro in 2006, they will become a lot more competitive a lot quicker simply due to having a professional pool of players to pull from for the first time.

Sounds great!! Although... where would that leave the Euro nations cup?

The countries that make up GB&I play separately in the Euro cup but play together for the Tri-nations.

France plays as France in both tournaments which are played at the same time.

 

[yakstorm]

No reason why by 2006 the Euro Nations Cup can't move to become its own tournament no longer in the shadow of the Tri-Nations but rather a series of games spread over the Super League season.

 

[Copa]

Good stuff!! Recently, I've never felt more positive about rugby league than I have for nearly 10 years. I was one of those lost fans during the Super league war.

It feels great to be back.

 

[DIEHARD]

Me too Copa

 

[Kurt Angle]

2007 I'd like to see 4 Nations, with a French side two years pro.

In Australia.

Pre-tournament games.

England vs Fiji - Townsville (Friday Night)
New Zealand vs Tonga/PI - North Harbour - (Saturday Arvo)
France vs Lebanon - Parramatta (Saturday Night)
Australia vs PNG - Port Moresby (Sunday Arvo)

All Televised.

Then a 3 week round robin group stage, played saturday and sundays.

top 2 final in the 4th week.

5 weeks of international League, 8 teams all likely to make the world cup a year later and give the nation a good taste of international RL or what will happen 52 weeks later.