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.