Link:
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/th...a-new-york-state-of-mind-20180719-p4zsi6.html
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Clubs are furious they haven’t been consulted about a potential Australia-Tonga Test in New York, putting them on another collision course with the NRL.
The governing body is investigating the feasibility of staging the international at the 25,000-seat capacity Red Bull Arena on October 20. It’s understood the promoter is Ricky Wilby, the man attempting to establish a New York franchise to compete in the Super League competition.
The NRL is also seeking to take an opening round competition game to the United States next season, with Melbourne and South Sydney the likely participants if the concept goes ahead.
Rugby League Central was highly critical of the Denver Test between England and New Zealand last month, citing a lack of consultation between the stakeholders. The clubs, concerned about the toll the game and the travel would take on its stars, sided with head office. However, they are again at loggerheads after only learning about another potential American sojourn in the press.
Canterbury CEO Andrew Hill, a champion of the international game who ran the successful 2017 Rugby League World Cup, was blindsided by the latest American proposal.
“As a club CEO, I know nothing about any proposed Australia-Tonga game,” Hill said.
“Having a strong background in international footy, I understand the amount of work that goes into a one-off Test match in America and we’re nearly in August, with six weeks of a season to go, and I still have no idea if the proposed game is an opportunity for us to broker.”
Penrith counterpart Brian Fletcher added: “We don’t get the privilege of getting involved in discussions.
“They just make decisions and don’t check with the heartland. Us at club level, we don’t get consulted on what’s going on.”
The Denver Test was a strong advertisement for the game, but a lack of cooperation from the clubs and the NRL was a contributing factor to the promoter posting a loss. While the latest US expedition is in the off-season it comes at a time when most players are enjoying their mandated time off.
“It’s the first I’ve heard of it,” said
Gold Coast CEO Graham Annesley.
“If it’s factual, it would obviously be in the players’ normal annual leave period, which has implications for training and the resumption of training in the collective bargaining agreement.
“We would want to know a lot more detail before we formed an opinion one way or the other.”
The NRL is finishing up a feasibility study on the project, but it’s understood that the match is a strong possibility of going ahead. If not, New Zealand is seen as an alternate destination for the Test.
Warriors CEO Cameron George said the timing of the New York game suits the clubs better than the mid-season Denver Test, but his preference is to stage the match in New Zealand rather than New York.
“I haven’t heard about it until today when I read about it,” George said.
“I have a personal view that we should first get things right in our own backyard.
“The NZRL chose to go to the States to play footy in order to grow the game, but we’ve got a lot of work to do in our own backyard to get it humming up against rugby union, we want to become the number one sport here.
“Playing Test matches here will certainly enhance the growth and participation of rugby league.
“I have that view because I’m at the coalface of it.”
Tonga’s World Cup victory over New Zealand captivated both nations and attracted a sellout crowd in Hamilton. George believes an Australia-Tonga match in the region would be a box-office hit.
“It would be absolutely outstanding to have it in New Zealand,” he said.
“The benefits of having that in the backyard of rugby league would do everything to grow the sport’s participation and awareness and aspiration of playing for country.
“If you rewind two years ago, that Test match wouldn’t have had much interest. But now, why wouldn’t you export it where you could sell it out, put on a fantastic event and grow awareness of the sport?
“Taking it over there, I understand the big market the States offer. But we need to get our market humming first. That would only add long-term benefits.”
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L-O-L - How good is Andrew Hill, CEO of the 'successful' RLWC 2017 complaining they have been blindsided. Penrith having their typical whinge on the heartlands. At least the Warriors seem somewhat supportive, understandably from a NZ perspective.
But the general vibe is all not surprising. This is a Test happening AFTER the NRL season, and there is STILL concerns on player welfare and their training schedule for next season. Some of the NRL clubs should just come out and say they don't want international RL played at all, ever.
