Pacific Championships 2024

[Clarkent]

@Matua Thoughts?

 

[Matua]

@Matua Thoughts?

I'll have to watch this after work.

Do you have some bullet points?

 

[Billythekid]

@Matua Thoughts?

Thought this was a good interview tbh. The international schedule clearly comes off as a hodge podge last minute thing that makes little sense and whilst not everyone can articulate why it does filter through to the fans.

I agree with him about NZRL. I don’t know the ins and outs of who’s to blame but their brand has significantly diminished and they feel a bit left out right now. If Tonga and Samoa are able to get this series going and build it into something big whilst NZ are left in the dust that’s a huge failing.

There were a couple of things I do disagree with somewhat. Islanders or even Kiwis playing SOO doesn’t devalue the concept and makes a ton of sense. A lot of these players see themselves as from NSW and QLD but also identify strongly with their heritage. Having them play both for say QLD and Tonga is a good thing for both competitions.

The orca situation I don’t know much about but from the outside it doesn’t seem that different to what’s happening in Australia. There are a shitload of different bids some from the same area trying to get their foot in the door. Ultimately it’s up to the NRL to pick the best one but I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad or embarrassing thing to have multiple bids.

 

[Coastbloke]

So Origin tickets are on sale 5 months out.

Pacific Championships on sale a month before.

Got it..

 

[Last Week]

So Origin tickets are on sale 5 months out.

Pacific Championships on sale a month before.

Got it..

They could have forward planned for all of this right as the CBA with the Players Association was signed.

There is one reason and one reason only why they don't and it's simply that it's not high on their priority. They can pretend all they like with trophies, new competitions, etc etc, but fact is it's an afterthought and they're just trying to capitalise on the increase of interest in Tonga and Samoa.

 

[isaiah]

I remember a Tonga v Samoa game I took my son to on the Gold Coast. Best finish ever

 

[titoelcolombiano]

So Origin tickets are on sale 5 months out.

Pacific Championships on sale a month before.

Got it..

There's a slight difference in popularity and revenue of those tournaments. I mean, the RLWC schedule and tickets are out 12 months in advance and hosts are known years before the event.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

They could have forward planned for all of this right as the CBA with the Players Association was signed.

There is one reason and one reason only why they don't and it's simply that it's not high on their priority. They can pretend all they like with trophies, new competitions, etc etc, but fact is it's an afterthought and they're just trying to capitalise on the increase of interest in Tonga and Samoa.

It's the NRLs job primarily to run the NRL. The fact that the national governing body of Australia steps in and has organised a 6 nation Pacific Championships and also intervenes to ensure England aren't left out in the cold is commendable. God knows what we'd have if left up to the IRL

Relax, Pacific Championships were awesome, Kangaroo tour will be awesome and the 2026 world cup will probably be the most competitive and exciting yet.

 

[Perth Red]

It's the NRLs job primarily to run the NRL. The fact that the national governing body of Australia steps in and has organised a 6 nation Pacific Championships and also intervenes to ensure England aren't left out in the cold is commendable. God knows what we'd have if left up to the IRL

Relax, Pacific Championships were awesome, Kangaroo tour will be awesome and the 2026 world cup will probably be the most competitive and exciting yet.

Its in the ARLC's constitution they have a responsibility for:
organise and conduct Australian representative games
liaise with IRL and other countries in the fostering and control of RL throughout the world

Whilst the IRL does a good job organising at the developing nation level in reality at the top nations its the countries governing bodies in control of what games get played. IRL board is dominated by RFL,ARLC and NZRL.

Always said 2% of every RL tv deal, Int merch sales and game day revenue from Int matches around the world should go to the IRL for management and development of Int RL.

 

[AdelaideSharky]

Its in the ARLC's constitution they have a responsibility for:
organise and conduct Australian representative games
liaise with IRL and other countries in the fostering and control of RL throughout the world

Whilst the IRL does a good job organising at the developing nation level in reality at the top nations its the countries governing bodies in control of what games get played. IRL board is dominated by RFL,ARLC and NZRL.

Always said 2% of every RL tv deal, Int merch sales and game day revenue from Int matches around the world should go to the IRL for management and development of Int RL.

I've had my differences with you in the past over certain things but I completely agree with you on this one.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Its in the ARLC's constitution they have a responsibility for:
organise and conduct Australian representative games
liaise with IRL and other countries in the fostering and control of RL throughout the world

Whilst the IRL does a good job organising at the developing nation level in reality at the top nations its the countries governing bodies in control of what games get played. IRL board is dominated by RFL,ARLC and NZRL.

Always said 2% of every RL tv deal, Int merch sales and game day revenue from Int matches around the world should go to the IRL for management and development of Int RL.

What of those requirements are they not doing?

 

[Coastbloke]

ARLC and Vlandy’s fans: The NRL/ARLC/Vlandys have International footy in their best interests and is payrolling the Pacific Championships

Also ARLC/Vlandy’s: We won’t play International rules and won’t bring over a Pom ref to make it look professional and not amateur. Also, who is this International Rugby League

 

[Éamonn an Chnoic]

ARLC and Vlandy’s fans: The NRL/ARLC/Vlandys have International footy in their best interests and is payrolling the Pacific Championships

Also ARLC/Vlandy’s: We won’t play International rules and won’t bring over a Pom ref to make it look professional and not amateur. Also, who is this International Rugby League

Pfft, IRL is a shit organisation. Why is bowing to them the measure of a quality come?

I judge the comp on its merits and it has international RL in the best position since the 90s

 

[Éamonn an Chnoic]

@Matua Thoughts?

the first 5 minutes is a premium whinge, but the later parts are a decent listen.

they are right that they missed the boat on the match vs Tonga (no one to blame but themselves).

id advocate a tri-series with Tonga and Samoa or a Four nations with PNG as well.

 

[Éamonn an Chnoic]

^^^
That rubbish about the international calendar being rushed (its not great, but best it has been in 30+ years) and the rubbish about the Roo-England tour being jealousy of tonga/samoa is just sour milk (i see the ashes as being part charity for the English team, part market testing the interest in England)

England needs to focus on developing a decent local rival or if not a decent simulation of Origin

 

[Last Week]

^^^
That rubbish about the international calendar being rushed (its not great, but best it has been in 30+ years) and the rubbish about the Roo-England tour being jealousy of tonga/samoa is just sour milk (i see the ashes as being part charity for the English team, part market testing the interest in England)

England needs to focus on developing a decent local rival or if not a decent simulation of Origin

The annoying thing is is that if the RFL could generate real interest in France or Wales and those nations could somehow become competitive with England, it wouldn't take much before the southern hemisphere nations would be begging to tour the north. It is financially the most medium to long term realistic option the game has internationally.

Incredibly frustrating at the lack of resources put into Europe.