Repression of rugby league : Information to share and discussion.

[Stallion]

I think the issue with the 2017 World Cup was entirely Rugby League's. Pathetic advertising/promotion anywhere and the inability/decision to secure grounds in heartland regions like Sydney and Brisbane for marquee matches were the biggest issues and had nothing to do with the cricket.

Here in Melbourne I think I saw maybe a dozen posters around the city (mostly at AAMI Park). There was nothing on local radio or in Newspapers. Channel 7 basically did most of the promotion.

It felt like the NRL had every intention of distancing itself from the WC. I saw better promotion for Melbourne Storm and Melbourne Rebels games down here.

That alone was a huge problem. I met with some RL Journo's and historians in Melbourne who had travelled from the UK and they were amazed at how little promotion there was for the game, and that's saying something given the profile of RL in the UK today.

One guy came to follow Wales and look at their schedule - Game 1 - Port Moresby, Game 2 - Townsville, Game 3 - Perth, then he had to cover a game in Melbourne for a UK magazine.

That amount of travel is absurd for 3 games.

Another was reporting on the England games, a marquee team and they played at Melbourne (twice), Sydney, Perth, Auckland and Brisbane.

Having the games spread out so far, across a number of countries makes it hard and very expensive for fans to travel to and support. These are facts which I think are very important yet often ignored. A lot of the problems Rugby League faces today stem from it's own poor management first. Be it planning, inaction or an unwillingness to fight.

That's not to say that there aren't other outside factors, but I think in a line of conversation like this, it is wise to look at the game's own failings first and foremost.

The game can never grow and expand if it is poorly run, regardless of the antics of other sports. A well run game can withstand the attacks of outside influences. A poorly run game will continue to be trod upon by them.

The game's governing body has long needed and appears to be heading in the direction of finally having some ticker.

It needs to stand up to both the RFL and NRL and tell them clearly "The RLIF runs Rugby League. Not the NRL. Not the RFL."

For too long the International body was dictated to by the major nations.

Some excellent points Madunit. You bring up that a marquee participant(England)did not play the Kangaroos in places like NSW (heartland area). A very salient point! This was to my eye the biggest mistake when seeing the embarrassing opener in Melbourne. And yes the marketing , pricing, promotion, advertising and scheduling was very poor. Think the cup final scheduling just capped off a poorly organised tournament. (which was my angle) Completely agree with your appraisal Madunit. And such issues dobstem from poor decisions made by the administrators within rugby league. The appointment of a tournament organiser of AFL background was a major mistake. Wonder who came up with that one? (Somebody within rugby-league admin?-that's for sure :but who!?) Until identifying the poor decision makers this code will keep making fundamental mistakes. Incompetent administrators are holding this great code down . It's weeding them out that's another challenge and priority for rugby league.

 

[madunit]

Some excellent points Madunit. You bring up that a marquee participant(England)did not play the Kangaroos places like NSW (heartland area). A very salient point! This was to my eye the biggest mistake when seeing the embarrassing opener in Melbourne. And yes the marketing , pricing, promotion, advertising and scheduling was very poor. Think the cup final scheduling just capped off a poorly organised tournament.

It was woeful, especially for 2017 in the country where the game is at its peak.

Rugby League shot itself in the foot.

 

[Stallion]

It was woeful, especially for 2017 in the country where the game is at its peak.

Rugby League shot itself in the foot.

Absolutely! It was a shambles. The sudden departure of the tournament organiser(a month prior to world cup! ) suggested all was not above board. The people whom appointed that particular organiser should carry the can for what was an underwhelming world cup. Or at least be aportioned accountability/blame to this sporting disappointment. Instead it's sheepishly going through to the keeper I suggest.

 

[Stallion]

Another event being played at the same time isn’t being opressed though.

Agree. Moreso the coincidence of this happening. Especially with both sports being aware that these major events were happening a long time prior to them being played. Some proactive negotiations or decisions were not made.

 

[Pommy]

Agree. Moreso the coincidence of this happening. Especially with both sports being aware that these major events were happening a long time prior to them being played. Some proactive negotiations or decisions were not made.

As I have said CA probably didn’t care and you haven’t given one alternative action that RL could have taken.

 

[Stallion]

Added to an underwhelming world cup I suspect that the same person or persons have had influence in the Kangaroos not hosting the Lions in NSW during their southern Pacific tour in October / November this year.
I also suspect the same people or person has reduced the viewing audience/awareness of the World nines to just Pay tv coverage instead of free to air simulcast coverage. Perhaps a rat or plague in rugby league's administration!?

 

[Stallion]

As I have said CA probably didn’t care and you haven’t given one alternative action that RL could have taken.

I have given an action Pommy! It's the proactive approach prior to the playing of both events. Remembering this could have been avoided with decent negotiations. Don't think it was discussed or noticed. Poor planning and organising I suggest.

 

[Pommy]

I have given an action Pommy! It's the proactive approach prior to the playing of both events. Remembering this could have been avoided with decent negotiations. Don't think it was discussed or noticed. Poor planning and organising I suggest.

You can’t negotiate if CA aren’t bothered.

 

[madunit]

Added to an underwhelming world cup I suspect that the same person or persons have had influence in the Kangaroos not hosting the Lions in NSW during their southern Pacific tour in October / November this year.
I also suspect the same people or person has reduced the viewing audience/awareness of the World nines to just Pay tv coverage instead of free to air simulcast coverage. Perhaps a rat or plague in rugby league's administration!?

I wouldn't say there's a rat in the ranks.

More likely it was the NRL wanting to do something their way and the RLIF wanting it done a different way and some sort of spat between the two. NRL likes to think it runs the game at times.

 

[Stallion]

You can’t negotiate if CA aren’t bothered.

Maybe they could be? That's what wasn't explored! Meanwhile millions of dollars worth of exposure and advertising goodwill went down the gurgler on cup final night.

 

[Timmah]

Stallion, instead of continually suggesting who someone is, please use names and cite your source if necessary. I refer to the "AFL contractor" you seem to need to mention repeatedly.

 

[Timmah]

That's what wasn't explored!

How do you know this? Were you party to all negotiations. Please substantiate this claim.

 

[Stallion]

I wouldn't say there's a rat in the ranks.

More likely it was the NRL wanting to do something their way and the RLIF wanting it done a different way and some sort of spat between the two. NRL likes to think it runs the game at times.

Perhaps some questionable people on both camps? They seem to be making such mistakes consistently? And particularly pertaining to the international fixtures.

 

[madunit]

Cricket aren't threatened by Rugby League mate. Typically because they are played at different times of the year, and even when they are played in the same period, most cricket games are on during the day on big ovals and League games are on in rectangular stadiums at night. So there's generally little clashes in schedule. Given most of the World Cup games were played away from Sydney and Brisbane, there was even less threat to CA.

I'd also argue that the cricket schedule for future seasons is typically announced well in advance, and was probably set in place prior to the RLWC schedule was.

Look at this article for example. It shows that planning of the International cricket schedule has already allocated games until 2023.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...m/news-story/4411636d3ee0dd16bb25b19a1ef52774

No way would the RLWC have venues and the like confirmed that far in advance.

 

[Stallion]

Stallion, instead of continually suggesting who someone is, please use names and cite your source if necessary. I refer to the "AFL contractor" you seem to need to mention repeatedly.

Fair enough. Think it's Andrew Hill. Not sure. Someone to confirm please?

 

[madunit]

Perhaps some questionable people on both camps? They seem to be making such mistakes consistently? And particularly pertaining to the international fixtures.

I wouldn't say questionable.

More of a power struggle between the two, as I said earlier, the RLIF is starting to make it clear that they won't be pushed around by the NRL and RFL anymore.

 

[Stallion]

How do you know this? Were you party to all negotiations. Please substantiate this claim.

I suspect it wasn't approached. If so I'd suggest it would have been newsworthy?

 

[Timmah]

I suspect it wasn't approached. If so I'd suggest it would have been newsworthy?

Those are suspicions, which are fine to put forward. Please don't use them as the basis for your arguments when you cannot substantiate them.

Fair enough. Think it's Andrew Hill. Not sure. Someone to confirm please?

If you are unsure, why have you repeatedly asserted it without checking? Please be more careful when making arguments, do informed research and know who and what you are talking about. Less speculation and more facts.

 

[Stallion]

I wouldn't say questionable.

More of a power struggle between the two, as I said earlier, the RLIF is starting to make it clear that they won't be pushed around by the NRL and RFL anymore.

Agree with a power struggle .But to what end? The derailing of international rugby league fixtures?

 

[madunit]

Agree with a power struggle .But to what end? The derailing of international rugby league fixtures?

You must remember that the NRL is only interested in the NRL.

That is where the struggle lies. The RLIF trying to get the NRL to be more expansive in their approach.