That's what you call a non sequitur.
I absolutely want the game to thrive and honestly can't understand how you can think wanting the international game to be more successful than origin (as it should be) is in some way arguing for the sport's failure.
To suggest that is frankly bizarre in the extreme...
Also, you have to be kidding when you argue that Origin has never been sold as the pinnacle of anything and is simply seen as a grudge match. Only somebody who'd managed to miss the marketing and commentary around origin for the last 20 years could possibly buy that.
No, quite apart from wanting the game to fail, I want us to get to a place where Origin retains its place in the calendar and its great viewing numbers, but is followed by an even bigger and more successful international series against the Kiwis that supersedes the importance of the Bledisloe Cup in NZ and Origin here.
Why you don't want the international game to thrive is quite beyond me frankly.
This may be longish - but I will honestly, I swear to you, lay it all out for you guys. Dont worry about the Tests. Its heating up. I will go over the history of origin and tests as succinctly as possible and follow closely the surrounding events here that are of importance to the hypothesis that Origin is no longer the pinnacle.
I like your use of rational and sceptical argument. I think you've arrived at the right conclusions.
See, contrary to some others I think we will achieve what you outlined. Its not a preference of mine alone, as much as its a realisation I have long held. As such I am calling this whole thing a 'restoration' of international football as the pinnacle. Even if I didn't want this to be so, it will still happen.
The writing is on the wall. The test match is already more watched in australia than the bledisloe; in fact its the highest rating 5 capital city sporting event this year so far, surpassing even the afl anzac day clash and any other league game.
Something for people to take note of, is the nrls increased opinion and recognition of the value of the pacific region. This will create a gravity for the sport across the region including Australia.
Its only a matter of time before Test Football is held in high esteem again by all and sundry. Its not so obvious right now this year -- but it will become so.
They are saying that the australian Test side is the second most regarded national team in the country behind the cricket team. Thats something that has probably often been the case in the past, but its going to be so apparent in the years to come, that provided the competition for our country comes along continually and there's no reason why it won't be, then international league will take off.
International league has the potential to garner more attention than Origin in the world, and in this country I'd wager it will in fact be more dear to peoples hearts than origin over time. None of this diminishes origin too much at all, just that its shifted. They operate at different times of the year, and draw upon different elements for their success.
The emphasis has shifted and the onus is upon the national bodies to support the RLIF to continue its good work. The recent meeting in brisbane seemed to tentatively hash out issues that will place the international game at the peak of the sport again in years to come.
And so it should be. Origin is no longer the pinnacle, the test match did demonstrate that; but neither will origin diminish too much over time, given its history. Being the pinnacle does not have to mean its better as such - if that were the case then Origin would have been unassailable forever. Its better this way because 2 things can exist instead of one.
But I think your claim is correct. Its just not apparent to most people. The realignment of things has already begun. The difference is that Origin will no longer prevent test football from breathing. Thats the big change. Its like they have swapped positions, but it doesn't mean origin has to diminish.
Need we remind people that Origin started in 1980. Test football was pretty big back then and in the 90s. Its a fallacy to suggest it can't be like that again; or that Origin existing prevents test football [right now], or that test football can't be the pinnacle which by virtue of how it works is exactly what it is. Even after we just witnessed such a match with our own eyes. Denial..... things take a while to be accepted. Origin was though a shock to the system.
Your a dickhead if you think that Phil Gould and some tabloid fish wrap are represent Australian Rugby League fans views on the International game.
That's would be like me claiming that Steve-O and SKY TV represent the views off all English Rugby League fans.
Except scubby has a point; please let me explain my own follow-up point about his point. . First lets not interject into what Gould thinks or the papers, they just muddy the issues here. Lets consider that 'then' when Gould said that, and the future are two different things.
Lets consider people, you, me, the tv, as products of the environment they're in. In fact much of the press around this years Test has been incredibly positive and encouraging.
Link it all up.
Australia lost this match and people are scratching their heads here. As scubby notes, origin used to be the best X amount of players in the world, now its a bit less. Well origin can still be a grudge match with a few less of the best players in the world. But if that ever reaches the level of RU's Reds v Warratahs for 30 years in a row, then watch out Origin. But still, digressing here. ...
Hold that in your mind, and think of this: people are a bit amused, and mythed at the same time that Australia lost and NZ won so convincingly, and to rub salt into the wound (however small such a wound may be to you) the kiwi's have done it for the last 3 times. AND Australia is probably not going to be number one.
Now add insult to injury - our side is getting on a bit and the kiwi's are on fire. Whats in most peoples hopes is for some new and up coming players to come into the side over time and flog those bloody kiwi's. That generates interest. Now we have a contest and we're not sure if we'll win. We've got those Kiwi's smack-talking us, giving us little gestures. We've got former champions looking bewildered.
Next: what do you expect a team of champions to do? Next time they will dig in harder, and we know they will dig in harder. Its beyond the joke now, and the expectations for the next match will be high for a good contest, because now we know both teams are going to show up with their A++ game.
Its getting a bit of momentum. Its been gaining momentum for years. Then, coming on board in the years to come will be Tonga and Samoa, and an English resurgance -- these are like extra characters in a play, some you like, some you loathe, some add spice and some add sparkle. We'll probably start to pay closer attention to them all, and follow their rise and fall over the years like we do with NRL clubs.
There's your international test scene. Its definitely going to heat up. But the day that a test gets 4 million and Origin just 3 or 2, is a while off yet. But the day a test gets 2 million is close at hand and that is worth pursuing. Pinnacle? Yes. But see, technically they could both get 4 million. Its not like they clash at all. Still tests would be the pinnacle, and accepted they were the pinnacle at that.
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