Pacific Championships 2024

[England87]

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[England87]

It 100% can be done mate. That Tongan rugby side is about 50% local born and developed to at least school boy age.

jeez mate I thought we were trying to make the same point lol

Ok sure, if we think sourcing players for a top international team from a country with a population of 100,000 is sustainable then let's go for it I guess

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

It 100% can be done mate. That Tongan rugby side is about 50% local born and developed to at least school boy age.

If the Tongan RL side were like that I'd have a lot more interest in them, but I doubt they'd ever be anywhere near as good as the current side. But I appreciate your optimism.

 

[England87]

You don't think League can do what Union does? Offer their best 15/16 year olds scholarships in a NRL system?

 

[England87]

For example, each year a rotating NRL club could be assigned to Pacific Island nation where they sign 5 players under 20 that can be salary cap exempt for 5 years.

Poach the best Union guys who dont want to learn Japanese. Hold an NFL style international combine etc. The athletes are there.

 

[Wb1234]

For example, each year a rotating NRL club could be assigned to Pacific Island nation where they sign 5 players under 20 that can be salary cap exempt for 5 years.

Poach the best Union guys who dont want to learn Japanese. Hold an NFL style international combine etc. The athletes are there.

Bulldogs-Silktails partnership to strengthen Fijian pathways

The Kaiviti Silktails have announced a three-year partnership with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

www.nrl.com

‘Deal made sense’: Bulldogs open fresh NRL pathway as Gould unveils new rising recruits

‘Deal made sense’: Bulldogs open fresh NRL pathway as Gould unveils new rising recruits

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Wb1234]

 

[Clarkent]

If NRl had any sense they'd move to rep weekends and have state of origin and Island of Origin series. 3 matches in NZ mid season between Samoa and Tonga would be awesome and build a massive rivalry that would sell out stadiums over there. Tell the Feds it will keep china out and they will likely fund it as well!

 

[titoelcolombiano]

If NRl had any sense they'd move to rep weekends and have state of origin and Island of Origin series. 3 matches in NZ mid season between Samoa and Tonga would be awesome and build a massive rivalry that would sell out stadiums over there. Tell the Feds it will keep china out and they will likely fund it as well!

If the crowds are as big as we think they'll be, running a three match series alongside Origin at big stadiums would probably work and with good player payments the Islander players can then be given a choice. Pick and stick, Origin or Tonga v Samoa. You'd probably find most would choose T v S if it's built up to its potential and Origin reverts back to Kangaroo potential players only.

 

[Clarkent]

If the crowds are as big as we think they'll be, running a three match series alongside Origin at big stadiums would probably work and with good player payments the Islander players can then be given a choice. Pick and stick, Origin or Tonga v Samoa. You'd probably find most would choose T v S if it's built up to its potential and Origin reverts back to Kangaroo potential players only.

Origin would suffer if all those island players leave Origin so there's no chance they'll change the rules anytime soon. Origin profits the nrl millions of dollars no way they'll do something to weaken it

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Origin would suffer if all those island players leave Origin so there's no chance they'll change the rules anytime soon. Origin profits the nrl millions of dollars no way they'll do something to weaken it

I don't think it will. I and millions of others will still watch if NSW field Latrell, Lomax, Moses and Barnett etc in the place of To'o, Chrichton, Haas and Luai or if QLD fielded Cobbo, Flegler, Collins and Gilbert instead of Tuilagi, Tino and Nanai.

The game would gain three extra marquee fixtures which would rate pretty well in Australia (obviously nowhere near Origin ratings), but would help really drive viewership in NZ as well as selling out stadiums like Suncorp, Eden Park and Allianz. Another three asset games for the NRL to sell

 

[taste2taste]

You don't think League can do what Union does? Offer their best 15/16 year olds scholarships in a NRL system?

2 years ago the NRL started a pathways program where the best Tongan schoolboys tours Australia for 2 weeks.

Last year the cowboys signed a player and this year the Rabbitohs signed 2 and there were a couple of other kids in talks with clubs but not sure if they got signed.

Since the introduction of this concept the number of Tongan school kids playing league has doubled.

But don’t get too excited about an influx of Tongan talent ,to put it in context, the panthers have more players in their catchment area than the entire island of Tonga. But if there is a superstar in Tonga he won’t be missed by NRL scouts.

sorry no link, you know how to use google

 

[taste2taste]

I don't think it will. I and millions of others will still watch if NSW field Latrell, Lomax, Moses and Barnett etc in the place of To'o, Chrichton, Haas and Luai or if QLD fielded Cobbo, Flegler, Collins and Gilbert instead of Tuilagi, Tino and Nanai.

The game would gain three extra marquee fixtures which would rate pretty well in Australia (obviously nowhere near Origin ratings), but would help really drive viewership in NZ as well as selling out stadiums like Suncorp, Eden Park and Allianz. Another three asset games for the NRL to sell

Would the players choosing to play for Samoa and Tongan get paid 30k ? Or 3k

if not, they are going to choose origin.

samoa v Tonga without their best players doesn’t have as much appeal

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Would the players choosing to play for Samoa and Tongan get paid 30k ? Or 3k

if not, they are going to choose origin.

samoa v Tonga without their best players doesn’t have as much appeal

Like Origin, it would take time to build the series. But if you are selling out the three games, Aus and NZ TV pay a bit for it (again, not anywhere near the value or origin), State Govts and NZ city councils bid to host matches (large fan base willing to travel for these matches), there's no reason why player payments for the series can't get to say 10k at that point it's large enough anyway. If they are truly passionate about the Tonga and Samoa jersey then you've got your own well paying, well promoted, well viewed series.

On a side note, the women's Origin players are paid 30k per game and WSOO has not built up to a level to justify the pay packet yet, so if Tonga v Samoa can create all the value described above, which is realistic, why shouldn't they get that too?

 

[RedVee]

Like Origin, it would take time to build the series. But if you are selling out the three games, Aus and NZ TV pay a bit for it (again, not anywhere near the value or origin), State Govts and NZ city councils bid to host matches (large fan base willing to travel for these matches), there's no reason why player payments for the series can't get to say 10k at that point it's large enough anyway. If they are truly passionate about the Tonga and Samoa jersey then you've got your own well paying, well promoted, well viewed series.

On a side note, the women's Origin players are paid 30k per game and WSOO has not built up to a level to justify the pay packet yet, so if Tonga v Samoa can create all the value described above, which is realistic, why shouldn't they get that too?

They would have T vs S for the women on the same bill I guess