RLWC 2025

[siv]

You take those games to places like Gosford

 

[Perth Red]

Its a horrible backwards step for sure. Hopefully it only lasts one WC and we can go back to 16 teams. I enjoy the smaller nations playing each other as much as the big ones.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

I think it's a bit deceptive to say that the World Cup was reduced because of blow out scores.

It was reduced because of lack of revenue. Crowds just weren't there for the smaller/less competitive matches. They're a hard sell

The tournament broke even according to the IRL and without the additional costs of the covid delay would have made a small profit. So I'm not buying the saving money excuse. Besides, it's the IRL's job to grow the game, so if a 16 team WC can make a small profit then that's what we need to do.

The 2013 and 2017 editions made small profits with 14 teams. There is absolutely no good financial reason to cut it back to 10.

 

[Perth Red]

The tournament broke even according to the IRL and without the additional costs of the covid delay would have made a small profit. So I'm not buying the saving money excuse. Besides, it's the IRL's job to grow the game, so if a 16 team WC can make a small profit then that's what we need to do.

The 2013 and 2017 editions made small profits with 14 teams. There is absolutely no good financial reason to cut it back to 10.

Maybe only way they could get Aus or NZ to host it? The risk lies with the hosting org not the IRL. I can imagine NRl not wanting take any risk.

 

[taste2taste]

The tournament broke even according to the IRL and without the additional costs of the covid delay would have made a small profit. So I'm not buying the saving money excuse. Besides, it's the IRL's job to grow the game, so if a 16 team WC can make a small profit then that's what we need to do.

The 2013 and 2017 editions made small profits with 14 teams. There is absolutely no good financial reason to cut it back to 10.

But does it do anything to grow the game having an Italian or Jamacian team full of heritage players getting zero media attention in thier home countries ?

Wouldn't it be better having a smaller and more profitable WC so the money can go back into growing the game in these countries ?

This year has seen a record number of Internationals, all playing in thier home countries without heritage players. IMO this is a far better way to grow the game.

 

[Perth Red]

But does it do anything to grow the game having an Italian or Jamacian team full of heritage players getting zero media attention in thier home countries ?

Wouldn't it be better having a smaller and more profitable WC so the money can go back into growing the game in these countries ?

This year has seen a record number of Internationals, all playing in thier home countries without heritage players. IMO this is a far better way to grow the game.

Well Jamaica have just taken part in a tri nations with US and Canada, so Id say yes. The world cup should give the game profile in those countries it would never get otherwise.

 

[RedVee_8]

But does it do anything to grow the game having an Italian or Jamacian team full of heritage players getting zero media attention in thier home countries ?

Wouldn't it be better having a smaller and more profitable WC so the money can go back into growing the game in these countries ?

This year has seen a record number of Internationals, all playing in thier home countries without heritage players. IMO this is a far better way to grow the game.

Jamaica has a RL competition and is now getting into the schools.

 

[taste2taste]

Jamaica has a RL competition and is now getting into the schools.

Yes, the growth in Jamaica has been phenomenal, in 20 yrs it has gone from being an alien sport to having a 20 team domestic comp and played in schools.

Buts that's my piont, isn't it better to have a condescend and more profitable WC so more money can be put into growing the game in these countries?

Having a Jamaican team with 1 domestic player and a whole bunch of poms playing in a world cup on the other side of the planet is going to do zero to grow the game locally, ironically it'll have the reverse effect, chewing up money that could have been used to help them grow domestically.

Countries like Ghana, Serbia, Netherlands etc would benefit greatly with some cash, personally I don't like seeing this cash wasted on having Italy, Lebanon ( that don't actually have any players from those countries) chewing up funds playing in the WC

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Yes, the growth in Jamaica has been phenomenal, in 20 yrs it has gone from being an alien sport to having a 20 team domestic comp and played in schools.

Buts that's my piont, isn't it better to have a condescend and more profitable WC so more money can be put into growing the game in these countries?

Having a Jamaican team with 1 domestic player and a whole bunch of poms playing in a world cup on the other side of the planet is going to do zero to grow the game locally, ironically it'll have the reverse effect, chewing up money that could have been used to help them grow domestically.

Countries like Ghana, Serbia, Netherlands etc would benefit greatly with some cash, personally I don't like seeing this cash wasted on having Italy, Lebanon ( that don't actually have any players from those countries) chewing up funds playing in the WC

I can see where you are coming from.

However the status of being in a world cup has had positive impacts on Jamaica and Lebanon in particular. The 2000 Lebanon WC squad led by El Mazri literally kick started the game in Lebanon and these days it's played in schools and universities. Lebanon getting out of the group two WCs in a row has made the sports news in Lebanon.

 

[yakstorm]

Having a Jamaican team with 1 domestic player and a whole bunch of poms playing in a world cup on the other side of the planet is going to do zero to grow the game locally, ironically it'll have the reverse effect, chewing up money that could have been used to help them grow domestically.

There are a few things wrong with this statement. Firstly, the Jamaican squad had 5 domestic players in it (Chevaughn Bailey, Khamisi McKain, Andrew Simpson, Marvin Thompson, Renaldo Wade) not 1.

Secondly, Jamaica enjoyed increased participation, media attention and sponsorship off the back of qualifying and taking part in the World Cup. From a Jamaica perspective, it was more positive being part of a RLWC than not in all KPIs, including finances.

The belief that less teams = more money for a RLWC is an unproven theory. The most profitable RLWCs of all time are 2013 & 2017. 2021 generated the most revenue of all time, however was also impacted by increased costs caused by the COVID delay and a near bankrupt IRL double dipping and collecting its 'fees' from the tournament both in 2021 and 2022 to keep the lights on.

When it comes to international tournaments, broadcasters and sponsors want 'persistent penetration', having something that is over in a few weeks or has minimal games is not valuable to them, as it doesn't allow them to build an audience or association.

All other major sponsors have realised this. Football & Rugby are both increasing the size of their tournaments, to ensure more games and longer tournaments. Cricket, whilst they have decreased the number of teams, they have kept roughly the same number of games (Gone from 14 teams playing 42 matches + 7 Finals to 10 teams playing 45 group games + 3 Finals) and improved the value by ensuring all the top teams play each other.

Of course there is a balance, and for every additional team and games, there are costs and not all match ups are considered equal by partners, but in typical RL style we are going the opposite direction of everyone else at the moment.

 

[Perth Red]

Yes, the growth in Jamaica has been phenomenal, in 20 yrs it has gone from being an alien sport to having a 20 team domestic comp and played in schools.

Buts that's my piont, isn't it better to have a condescend and more profitable WC so more money can be put into growing the game in these countries?

Having a Jamaican team with 1 domestic player and a whole bunch of poms playing in a world cup on the other side of the planet is going to do zero to grow the game locally, ironically it'll have the reverse effect, chewing up money that could have been used to help them grow domestically.

Countries like Ghana, Serbia, Netherlands etc would benefit greatly with some cash, personally I don't like seeing this cash wasted on having Italy, Lebanon ( that don't actually have any players from those countries) chewing up funds playing in the WC

Its good to have a pinnacle to aim for and a WC gives the game exposure in those developing countries.

Personally Id rather we went back to an emerging nations WC and and had two 12 team cups. That'd be more exciting and better development. The winners of the emerging nations WC get auto qualifying for the main WC following tournament.

Id have a triple header at every venue:
emerging nations WC game
womens WC game
Main WC game

Thatd be a great day out of international RL for fans.

 

[yakstorm]

However the status of being in a world cup has had positive impacts on Jamaica and Lebanon in particular. The 2000 Lebanon WC squad led by El Mazri literally kick started the game in Lebanon and these days it's played in schools and universities. Lebanon getting out of the group two WCs in a row has made the sports news in Lebanon.

The Lebanon example is why I wish we still had the World 7s / 9s at the start of the season. Lebanon went from a Seven's team in 1997, to a World Cup participant in 2000, to having a domestic competitions by 2002.

Fiji made it's jump to Rugby League in 92 after players wanted to take part in the Sevens tournament, Japan made it's first appearance in the 94 World Sevens, the competition also played a significant role in helping the game in other markets as well.

 

[Perth Red]

The Lebanon example is why I wish we still had the World 7s / 9s at the start of the season. Lebanon went from a Seven's team in 1997, to a World Cup participant in 2000, to having a domestic competitions by 2002.

Fiji made it's jump to Rugby League in 92 after players wanted to take part in the Sevens tournament, Japan made it's first appearance in the 94 World Sevens, the competition also played a significant role in helping the game in other markets as well.

we should have a world nines every two years. WA has bought the union world 7's for next year, already sick of seeig adverts for the bloody thing!

 

[yakstorm]

we should have a world nines every two years. WA has bought the union world 7's for next year, already sick of seeig adverts for the bloody thing!

It would at least give something else for emerging nations to try and qualify for, especially with the smaller World Cup.

 

[Perth Red]

It would at least give something else for emerging nations to try and qualify for, especially with the smaller World Cup.

And something else for nrl and RFL to sell and irl to earn money from to invest back.

 

[England87]

The perfect Rugby League world cup doesn't exist... Hold my beer.


Rugby League World Cup hosted by Australia, Fiji. Papua New Guinea & New Zealand (Samoa & Tonga do not have the infrastructure to host a tournament IMO) I have randomly drawn the remaining expected qualifying teams and thrown Ireland in their for shits and giggles.


Pool A
Australia (Host Nation)
Papua New Guinea (Host Nation - 3 games in Port Moresby)
Samoa
Tonga
France

Note - Pool A games played in Australia & Papua New Guinea except for Samoa v Tonga to be held in Auckland (Mt Smart) as the Opening Ceremony focussing on Pasifika history in Rugby League


Pool B
New Zealand (Host Nation)
Fiji (Host Nation - 3 games in Suva)
England
Lebanon
Ireland

Note - Pool B games played in New Zealand & Fiji except for England v Lebanon to be held in Parramatta & England v Ireland to be held on Gold Coast. This is to take advantage of the small amount of English tourism that traditionally travel down under for southern hemisphere world cups.


Semi Final 1 (A1 v B2) to be held in Sydney (Allianz)

Semi Final 2 (B1 v A2) to be held in Auckland (Mt Smart)

Final to be held in Brisbane (Suncorp) to finish off a 7 week, 23 game tournament.

 

[Perth Red]

The perfect Rugby League world cup doesn't exist... Hold my beer.


Rugby League World Cup hosted by Australia, Fiji. Papua New Guinea & New Zealand (Samoa & Tonga do not have the infrastructure to host a tournament IMO) I have randomly drawn the remaining expected qualifying teams and thrown Ireland in their for shits and giggles.


Pool A
Australia (Host Nation)
Papua New Guinea (Host Nation - 3 games in Port Moresby)
Samoa
Tonga
France

Note - Pool A games played in Australia & Papua New Guinea except for Samoa v Tonga to be held in Auckland (Mt Smart) as the Opening Ceremony focussing on Pasifika history in Rugby League


Pool B
New Zealand (Host Nation)
Fiji (Host Nation - 3 games in Suva)
England
Lebanon
Ireland

Note - Pool B games played in New Zealand & Fiji except for England v Lebanon to be held in Parramatta & England v Ireland to be held on Gold Coast. This is to take advantage of the small amount of English tourism that traditionally travel down under for southern hemisphere world cups.


Semi Final 1 (A1 v B2) to be held in Sydney (Allianz)

Semi Final 2 (B1 v A2) to be held in Auckland (Mt Smart)

Final to be held in Brisbane (Suncorp) to finish off a 7 week, 23 game tournament.

Why wouldnt you have england and lebanon in pool A and tonga and samoa in Group B? That would generate bigger crowds

England drew well in perth, they need first game there, its on the way!

Id have

Pool A
Australia (Host Nation)
Ireland
England
Lebanon
France

Pool Venues
Commbank
Townsville
Gold Coast
Perth
Melbourne

Semi 1 Allianz

Final Suncorp

Pool B
New Zealand (Host Nation)
Papua New Guinea
Fiji
Samoa
Tonga

Pool Venues
Auckland
Christchurch
Wellington
Suva
Port Moresby

Semi 2 Eden Park


Or all the games in NZ, Fiji and PNG would be more fun! Australia to host in 2030, back to England and France 2034

 

[jim_57]

France needs to be at least co-host in 2024 for their 100 years.

It will be interesting to see how they do the pool groupings if they’re keeping the Super group from 2008 format.

Assuming “seedings” of:
1-2 - Australia & NZ
3 - England
4-5 - Tonga & Samoa
6-7 - PNG & Fiji
8-10 - Lebanon + 2 (Probably Cooks & France)

Should be something like:
Pool A - Australia, NZ, England, PNG
Pool B - Tonga, Fiji, France
Pool C - Samoa, Lebanon, Cook Islands

Cross pool game has to be Tonga V Samoa even though to probably shouldn’t be. Could potentially switch PNG with either of Fiji, France or Lebanon.

 

[Perth Red]

ENGLAND may head to New Zealand for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup - they want it.

A tendering process is going on to find the southern hemisphere host after France pulled out and the competition was delayed by 12 months.
And SunSport understands the Kiwis have signalled their intent to host it.

They may also link up with Pacific islands like Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea - who could all host men's group games.

New Zealand's only serious competitor is Australia, which co-hosted the 2017 tournament with its neighbour but had the final.

South Africa expressed an interest previously but the 13-a-side code has no real footprint in that nation.
International Rugby League chiefs have trimmed the men’s World Cup to 10 teams from 16 after being concerned at the number of blowout results last year.

And they revealed 22 expressions of interest from 11 countries have come in for the World Cups – with eight for the women’s version in 2028, five for the wheelchair in 2029 and seven for the men’s in 2030.
That leaves just two for hosting all three in 2026 but International Rugby League boss Troy Grant insisted: “We made the decision in July that future Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair World Cups would be staged as standalone events and the level of interest confirms that was the right decision.

“The response to the Invitation to Tender process also underlines the strategic approach behind the decision to reduce the size in order to cultivate more host countries, which will make rugby league a more global sport and the World Cups more accessible events.

“It is one of the many benefits of the international calendar that the IRL is able to schedule three World Cups in three years to provide more countries with an opportunity to host one or more of the game’s flagship tournaments.”

England face New Zealand trip for glory as they want to host 2026 World Cup

ENGLAND may head to New Zealand for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup – they want it. A tendering process is going on to find the southern hemisphere host after France pulled out and the compet…

www.thesun.co.uk

 

[Foreign Legion]

Uhm... any news?