Reflections on WC and the future

[Foreign Legion]

Surprise nation firm up bid to host 2030 Rugby League World Cup - Serious About Rugby League

A surprise nation seems to be in contention to host the 2030 Rugby League World Cup, following an Australia and PNG edition. The delayed World Cup in 2022, held in England, was the first to have a joint men’s, women’s and wheelchair competition, while the 2026 edition is set to have a similar...

www.seriousaboutrl.com

 

[Ideas Man Stephen]

South Africa hosting the 2030 RLWC. I don’t know how people can say that without bursting out in laughter

 

[Coastbloke]

South Africa hosting the 2030 RLWC. I don’t know how people can say that without bursting out in laughter

It would need massive Government and private sponsorship to succeed. If the Government can’t provide support for a Club competition I doubt they’d support a WC.

The other question is whether the population would support it by turning up. The WC wouldn’t be able to rely on fans from overseas arriving en masse. Sorry but the country is a absolute hole..

 

[adamkungl]

It would need massive Government and private sponsorship to succeed. If the Government can’t provide support for a Club competition I doubt they’d support a WC.

The other question is whether the population would support it by turning up. The WC wouldn’t be able to rely on fans from overseas arriving en masse. Sorry but the country is a absolute hole..

Like I said elsewhere I don't see how the game is realistically entertaining WCs in nations that are 1000 years off pro RL after the USA and France debacles around 2025.
Even in a good location RL fans aren't travelling for tests. That culture doesn't exist in the sport currently. The WCs we have get a barely pass mark off the backs of local population being already invested in the sport. The number of Aussies that went to the UK for the Ashes, despite the prestige (nostalgia) around that brand, would probably number in the dozens.

 

[Ideas Man Stephen]

I would love to see the IRL push for some Aus and US gov funding to tie in with the NRLs gov funding for a full Pacific Islands WC.

Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and PNG each hosting all group stage fixtures and each in their own group. QFs, SFs and Final in Aus and NZ.

That would be premium.

 

[stratocaster]

I would love to see the IRL push for some Aus and US gov funding to tie in with the NRLs gov funding for a full Pacific Islands WC.

Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and PNG each hosting all group stage fixtures and each in their own group. QFs, SFs and Final in Aus and NZ.

That would be premium.

I'd like to see the 2034 WC in New Zealand with PNG, Fij, Samoa and Tonga hosting at least one pool game each, possibly two. Rugby Union will never do anything like that.

Say if it was a 12 team comp.
New Zealand - NZ vs ENG, NZ vs WAL, NZ vs AUS, SAM vs TON, ENG vs WAL, FRA vs CIS, CIS vs WAL, All Finals
PNG - PNG vs AUS, PNG vs LEBN, PNG vs ENG
Fiji - FIJ vs FRA, FIJ vs SER, FIJ vs TON
Samoa - SAM vs FRA, SAM vs CIS
Tonga - TON vs SER
Australia - AUS vs LEBN, LEBN vs SER

 

[parrawentyfan]

Pacific World Cup.

Host one France game in New Caledonia and I'm sold. Lol

 

[England87]

There are no stadiums in Tonga or Samoa guys. Just a bunch of parks with the odd grandstand.

 

[Taking The Two]

If it’s a southern hemisphere tournament, it’s Australia and/or New Zealand, if it’s a northern hemisphere tournament, it’s England and a couple of games in France. I’m not sure why we need to have delusions of grandeur about countries that aren’t in a position to host the tournament or just aren’t interested in the sport.

 

[adamkungl]

I could see a NZ hosted tournament where each of the Pacific nations hosts their 2 lower drawing games. Would probably need to come with a modest investment in broadcast and stadium facilities. It would be something unique to RL that no other sport would ever bother doing in the Pacific.

 

[marlins2.0]

Only Suva, and maybe Apia at a pinch could host games, and I doubt either Fiji or Samoa would want to for revenue reasons.

 

[Coastbloke]

Sunday Telegraph ****holes Brent Read and Carayannis have a 2 page spread today with their 2026 predictions. It includes NRL, Origin, some Club news, T20 WC, Wallabies, ‘27 RUWC, Asian Women’s WC, F1 etc etc..

The glaring missing prediction? You guessed it. These are the journalists that are supposed to write about and claim to love our game. Absolute oxygen thieves.

 

[shadowformz]

The 19 NRL players eligible for England ahead of Rugby League World Cup - Serious About Rugby League

English players in the NRL aren’t as common as Australians playing Super League, but history has shown that the ones who excel can go on and leave a great legacy down under. From the Burgess brothers to James Graham, some of England’s best ever players have all made their mark in the Aussie...

www.seriousaboutrl.com