Yes, it feels like a missed opportunity not have games in NZ and Fiji.No nz hosting games is just stupid
I'd suggest they are saving NZ for hosting in their own right (maybe with a game or two in Fiji) a later tournament (though that might be giving them too much strategic credit!).Yes, it feels like a missed opportunity not have games in NZ and Fiji.
never going to happen (Accor), Sydney is even more apathetic to IRL than Brisbane! Id have a pool game at commbank, then semi or final at allianz depending on who pays most to host the final.I would be tempted for the Men's world cup to only have two games in Sydney. Kangaroos first game at Allianz and the Final at Accor and try sell them out.
Prob nz govt didn’t bid for itI'd suggest they are saving NZ for hosting in their own right (maybe with a game or two in Fiji) a later tournament (though that might be giving them too much strategic credit!).
Either that or the Aus Govt is chipping in some hosting cash and demanding its only in Aus and PNG
I wouldn't call us apathetic. The last few big finals at Suncorp 2017 WC, 2014 4N, 2010 4N have all been very healthy and heads and shoulders above crowds any other city in Australia or New Zealand have produced.never going to happen (Accor), Sydney is even more apathetic to IRL than Brisbane! Id have a pool game at commbank, then semi or final at allianz depending on who pays most to host the final.
Ideally
Semi 1 - Suncorp (Aus v ?)
Semi 2 - AAMI (NZ V ?)
Final - Allianz
or flip Allianz and Suncorp depending on hosting money offered
Maybe play the final in Perth or Melbourne?I wouldn't call us apathetic. The last few big finals at Suncorp 2017 WC, 2014 4N, 2010 4N have all been very healthy and heads and shoulders above crowds any other city in Australia or New Zealand have produced.
I would call the ARLC apathetic towards the Kangaroos brand. They've let it fall so far from its peak. If they want the public to care then they first need to care about the value and prestige of the jersey. I don't think the Kangaroos even pop into the mind of most Australians these days when you think of national sporting teams and that's f**ked.
2017 WC Final drew 40k at SuncorpMaybe play the final in Perth or Melbourne?
History shows us NSW and QLD don't care about international footy
40k to a wc final featuring australia Is sht. I was there, the whole weekend was poorly executed.2017 WC Final drew 40k at Suncorp
2017 WC SF Drew 22k at Suncorp
2014 4 Nations DH drew 47k at Suncorp
2010 4 Nations Final drew 44k at Suncorp
2008 WC Final drew 50,500 at Suncorp
2008 WC SF drew 26k at Suncorp
We'll show up, but the ARLC need to show some respect to the international game and make it seem important.
Shit compared to what? We are talking potential venues in Australia and Brisbane is heads and shoulders above any other city to host the final when it comes to supporting the international game.40k to a wc final featuring australia Is sht. I was there, the whole weekend was poorly executed.
England, where the game is much smaller, managed 67k for the last final not even featuring the home nation.
The video illustrates everything that's wrong with having 16 teams. Having an Italian, Irish.. etc team full of heritage players ( Nathan Brown playing for Italy lol ) does nothing to grow the sport in those countries. Italy currently doesn't have a domestic competition.
Bro, if you're wanting to exclude heritage teams then the PIs (except Fiji) are screwed.The video illustrates everything that's wrong with having 16 teams. Having an Italian, Irish.. etc team full of heritage players ( Nathan Brown playing for Italy lol ) does nothing to grow the sport in those countries. Italy currently doesn't have a domestic competition.
Do people really want to watch an Irish or Italian team that doesn't actually have any Italians or Irish ?
The better decision is to reduce the teams to 10 making the tournament more profitable and using that money to invest in growth areas.
Countries where league is growing could desperately use some money to grow the game ( Jamaica, Serbia, Ghana ) even France, where league is established would benefit greatly.
Maybe in 10 years we can introduce more countries who can field a team without relying on heritage players and not be blown put by 90pnts.
I was disappointed that they reduced the numbers down to 10.The video illustrates everything that's wrong with having 16 teams. Having an Italian, Irish.. etc team full of heritage players ( Nathan Brown playing for Italy lol ) does nothing to grow the sport in those countries. Italy currently doesn't have a domestic competition.
Do people really want to watch an Irish or Italian team that doesn't actually have any Italians or Irish ?
The better decision is to reduce the teams to 10 making the tournament more profitable and using that money to invest in growth areas.
Countries where league is growing could desperately use some money to grow the game ( Jamaica, Serbia, Ghana ) even France, where league is established would benefit greatly.
Maybe in 10 years we can introduce more countries who can field a team without relying on heritage players and not be blown put by 90pnts.
This is a good example of how to to use heritage players. Having 2 per team would help the lower tier countries, but last WC Jamaica and Lebanon only had 1 player each from thier domestic comps. If reducing the WC to 10 teams could save money and invest in countries like Lebanon surely that's a win.I get the argument about excluding heritage teams but as @Matua El Mazri and Co for example at the 2000 WC kick started Rugby League in Lebanon which today is played in schools and Universities. If we had an international governing body with some serious cash behind it to incest in promising nations, Lebanon could be a serious RL nation today.
Tonga as well.Bro, if you're wanting to exclude heritage teams then the PIs (except Fiji) are screwed.
Reducing it to 10 is a smoothbrain moment though.All teams at the world cup should have a certain amout of players from their domestic comps, too encourage the game to grow at domestic level in them countries.