Statement from the RLIF Board meeting - March 28th 2017

[CQ Italia]

I kind of agree with you.
It's frustrating when people hold up the pacific islands as the great hope of international footy.

A successful Fiji would be an amazing underdog story, a minor curiosity in world sport, and a major embarrassment for the big 3. But ultimately it's not going to change the direction of respect of international Rugby League. (Especially when most of their players grew up playing the game in Australia anyway).

But really it's not gonna happen. Unless they unearth their own Thurston-like player in the halves.
A Fijian heritage player of this stature who grew up in Australia would likely play for Australia.
A Fijian born and raised player of this stature is borderline impossible due to the quality and depth of local football played in Fiji. Even someone with raw talent would lack the education and competition. Most sadly of all, if they were brought over at a young enough age, they would likely jump to the Kangaroos for the money anyway when the residency period allows.

I'd like to see an NRL club go after Amenoni Nasilasila, 2 x world champion 7s halve, RL junior & I think represented Bati Residents, missed out on Olympics as the coach brought in all the pro Fijians

 

[jim_57]

I kind of agree with you.
It's frustrating when people hold up the pacific islands as the great hope of international footy.

A successful Fiji would be an amazing underdog story, a minor curiosity in world sport, and a major embarrassment for the big 3. But ultimately it's not going to change the direction of respect of international Rugby League. (Especially when most of their players grew up playing the game in Australia anyway).

But really it's not gonna happen. Unless they unearth their own Thurston-like player in the halves.
A Fijian heritage player of this stature who grew up in Australia would likely play for Australia.
A Fijian born and raised player of this stature is borderline impossible due to the quality and depth of local football played in Fiji. Even someone with raw talent would lack the education and competition. Most sadly of all, if they were brought over at a young enough age, they would likely jump to the Kangaroos for the money anyway when the residency period allows.

I tend to agree, I'd love to see the Pacific Islands flourish to a point where they produce NRL players and their natipnal team on their day can spring an upset against the "big 3" and I think they are on their way. The only one I'd ever have hopes of doing it consistently is PNG with a much bigger population than the rest, but that is only if more players start coming to Australian clubs as juniors.

The major hope has always been France, who may finally be on an upward trajectory with Toulouse doing well and players scattered through English clubs, still a long way to go there though.

Depending on Toronto's Success Canada could be a darkhorse for first team outside the "big 3" to win a world cup, but quite a while away from that as well.

 

[jim_57]

I'd like to see an NRL club go after Amenoni Nasilasila, 2 x world champion 7s halve, RL junior & I think represented Bati Residents, missed out on Olympics as the coach brought in all the pro Fijians

Or a Fiji NSW Cup team would be a damn good start for these types of players. I'm amazed an NRL side hasn't linked with PNG Hunters and I'd be amazed if one isn't linked with a Fiji side if it evers gets off the ground.

 

[adamkungl]

Or a Fiji NSW Cup team would be a damn good start for these types of players. I'm amazed an NRL side hasn't linked with PNG Hunters and I'd be amazed if one isn't linked with a Fiji side if it evers gets off the ground.

Apparently the Visa process is the reason PNG blokes dont get much of a run here. Government makes them jump through a million hoops and have so much money in the bank to prove they won't do a runner. Even with business sponsoring and vouching for them it's tough.

Maybe this isn't so much an issue now with the Hunters coming over every couple of weeks?

 

[jim_57]

Apparently the Visa process is the reason PNG blokes dont get much of a run here. Government makes them jump through a million hoops and have so much money in the bank to prove they won't do a runner. Even with business sponsoring and vouching for them it's tough.

Maybe this isn't so much an issue now with the Hunters coming over every couple of weeks?

A good handul of Hunters have made their way to NRL or other QLD Cup sides since so it appears to be happening more frequently, whether that means it's an easier I'm not so sure.

I'm surprised more English clubs don't look at PNG players, especially Hunters. I'm sure a few of them could do a job in SL and most of them would excel at Championship level without a high asking price. Might be a Visa issue as well.

 

[The Partisan]

It's frustrating when people hold up the pacific islands as the great hope of international footy.

Yes this irks me as well. Interviews with any current / ex player re International development almost default automatically to 'yeah, need to help out the Pacific Islands'.

Wonder if it is a case of only being familiar with this region and no other developing areas ...or good old lack of education and ignorance.

Personally I'd like to see an 'RL International Awareness' week thrown into the NRL calendar. Maybe round the mid season tests. Get players out and talking to different communities, educational institutions, business networks re the growing global appeal / potential of the game.

 

[Force]

Not happy with the Asia-Pacific qualification process

6 teams could pre qualify and thus lock out every other Asia Pacific nation

Oz, NZ, PNG, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji

Could all make the quarter finals

Which means rest of Asia Pacific is locked out of the RLWC2021

I thonk we need to be smarter here
It should only be the final 4

Everyone else needs to qualify

Thus we create interest in the RLWC Qualifiers and they become a worthy TV event

I agree with this.

If all 6 Pacific teams qualify via the World Cup quarter finals then the rest miss out. Im just puzzled why Europe get 7 allocated places when their 7th place team will likely produce Cricket scores at the World Cup. I would've much rather had the 7th spot from Europe, the Middle East/Africa and the 2nd spot for the America's be placed up for grabs in a tournament for the others who missed out on qualifying like the rest of the teams in Asia/Pacific, America's etc...So you'll have teams like Canada,Jamaica,Cook Islands, Niue, Lebanon, Sth Africa etc...playing for the 3 final spots.

 

[IntRLEnthusiast]

The thing with the pacific sides is that if they start competing with the top nations and getting more games against them then more players will likely commit to them. I think it can only be a good thing if Pacific Nation won a big competition and can't see it being embarrassing for the game. Look at the Fijian Olympic Rugby 7's, it was a great story!! The other thing is that there might not be huge money in it from the actual nation but with all the economic immigration that happens it means that many pacific nations have more people living outside their nation then inside.

 

[roughyedspud]

Which is why 9s is important...A 2nd tier nation is far more likely to win the 9s world cup than they are to beat any of the big three in a test

 

[bowes]

Not happy with the Asia-Pacific qualification process

6 teams could pre qualify and thus lock out every other Asia Pacific nation

Oz, NZ, PNG, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji

Could all make the quarter finals

Which means rest of Asia Pacific is locked out of the RLWC2021

I thonk we need to be smarter here
It should only be the final 4

Everyone else needs to qualify

Thus we create interest in the RLWC Qualifiers and they become a worthy TV event

If the top 6 qualify automatically then the 7th place team enters a playoff against the winner of Middle East/Africa. This is wrong in itself as both Cook Islands and Lebanon could put 70 points on Russia or Serbia, one of whom will qualify. In fact the third place Americas team could thrash Russia or Serbia as well

 

[bowes]

http://www.rlif.com/article/8247/statement-fr

At its meeting on 28 March 2017 the RLIF Board made substantive progress to broaden and strengthen International Rugby League.


RLIF Emerging Nations World Championship


In support of the RLIF strategic plan ‘Global Conversion’ the Board determined to support an Emerging Nations World Championship in 2018. Each team will be required to be entered by the RLIF Member Nation and will be required to meet the RLIF eligibility regulations. The RLIF determined that a measure of success for the event and RLIF’s investment of $100,000 will be the legacy provided by players returning to their home nation to expand and further develop the sport. In addition to the Emerging Nations World Championship expressions of interest had been received by RLIF from regions to compete in their own competition. Whilst being unable to financially support such a competition the RLIF Board endorsed up to four regions participating in a parallel competition.





RLIF Rugby League World Cup 2021 Qualification

In respect of the qualification process for the RLIF Rugby League World Cup 2021 it was agreed that this would be a 16 -team tournament. Seven teams will be qualified from Europe, 6 from Asia Pacific , 2 from the Americas and one from a play-off series hosted in Middle East/Africa . The Quarter-Finalists in the 2017 RLIF Rugby League World Cup will qualify as of right.

Should 6 teams not pre-qualify via the RLIF RLWC17 Quarter-Finals from Asia-Pacific then the 16th place will be awarded to Middle East/Africa.

Should 6 teams pre-qualify via the Quarter-Finals from Asia-Pacific in 2017 and Lebanon do not qualify via the Quarter- Finals in 2017 then the 16th place will be determined by a play-off hosted in Middle East/Africa between the Middle East/Africa Champions and the 7th placed nation in Asia-Pacific.

Should 6 teams pre-qualify via the Quarter- Finals from Asia Pacific and Lebanon qualify via the Quarter Finals in 2017 that a play-off be held hosted by Middle East/Africa between the highest placed team in Middle/East Africa excluding Lebanon, the 3rd placed team in the Americas and the 7th placed team in Asia-Pacific.

RLIF Chairman Nigel Wood commented;

“The Board were mindful that every nation should have an opportunity to participate in a qualification process for the RLIF Rugby League World Cup in 2021. This solution provides every nation with that opportunity whilst rewarding success for eight of our Members who reach the Quarter-Finals of the 2017 RLIF Rugby League World Cup.”



FIRL (Italy)

The RLIF Board received a report that FIRL (Italy) had now fully complied with all criteria regarding RLIF Full Membership and therefore the RLIF Board now recommends to the Members at the AGM that Italy become a Full Member of RLIF.

Nigel Wood commented;

“Italy has demonstrated through its development programmes as well as its success in qualifying for the 2017 World Cup that the nation fully merits becoming a Full Member of RLIF. The Board will make the required recommendation to the Members at our next AGM and we warmly congratulate the Officers of FIRL”



The International Calendar



Substantive progress was made with the International Calendar.

RLIF Chairman Nigel Wood commented:

“This meeting received the Tier One Nations proposed programme for the next four-year cycle together with the RLF Global Events. The RLIF Chief Executive David Collier will now work with our Continental Federations and our International Competition Group chaired by Graeme Thompson to bring forward proposals to our 9 May Board meeting concerning complementary Continental competitions and matches to expand Tier Two and Tier Three Nation international fixtures.

Whilst the detail of the matches will not be finalised until the Autumn RLIF is delighted to have identified a full programme for the next four-year cycle to enable the completion of the International Calendar.”

The Board agreed that in 2019 the November tours by England to Australia and New Zealand should be complemented by an RLIF Nines World Cup. Expressions of interest to host the RLIF Nines World Cup have been received and a full report will be made to the 9 May Board meeting. Following an evaluation of the 2019 RLIF Nines World Cup the Board will review whether the 2023 RLIF Global Event should be a Nines World Cup or a 13 a side event.



RLIF Board meeting summary



Nigel Wood summarised the meeting:

“This has been an historic meeting for RLIF. Detailed discussions concerning the International Calendar have been progressing for more than a year. Today we have progressed those discussions, made substantive progress with the Calendar and supported all levels of our Membership. Further detail will be discussed at our May Board meeting in Sydney when we look forward to detailing the breadth of international rugby league being played throughout our 68 member nations”.

Ends

Contact detail media@rlif.com

The playoff structure here clearly should say 2nd in the Americas and not 3rd (if 6 Pacific teams and Lebanon make the quarterfinals) as entering the 3rd place team would leave 17 qualifiers. Still not sure why 7th in Europe gets into the world cup without a playoff

 

[adamkungl]

I agree with this.

If all 6 Pacific teams qualify via the World Cup quarter finals then the rest miss out. Im just puzzled why Europe get 7 allocated places when their 7th place team will likely produce Cricket scores at the World Cup. I would've much rather had the 7th spot from Europe, the Middle East/Africa and the 2nd spot for the America's be placed up for grabs in a tournament for the others who missed out on qualifying like the rest of the teams in Asia/Pacific, America's etc...So you'll have teams like Canada,Jamaica,Cook Islands, Niue, Lebanon, Sth Africa etc...playing for the 3 final spots.

Not happy with the Asia-Pacific qualification process

6 teams could pre qualify and thus lock out every other Asia Pacific nation

Oz, NZ, PNG, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji

Could all make the quarter finals

Which means rest of Asia Pacific is locked out of the RLWC2021

I thonk we need to be smarter here
It should only be the final 4

Everyone else needs to qualify

Thus we create interest in the RLWC Qualifiers and they become a worthy TV event

If all 6 current Asia Pacific nations qualify the 7th still gets a chance via playoff.

But I agree with the general point that 8 qualifiers shouldn't be pre determined by the 2017 WC. Too many.

Also Asia shouldn't be grouped with Pacific, the gap in quality is too large.

 

[Force]

I agree, but I think we should definitely keep Pacific nations capped at 6. This may be an unpopular opinion but I would hate to see South Africa, Serbia, Canada or Phillipines etc lose out to Cook Islands or Nieu. Not saying they shouldn't be given the chance of qualifying against the likes of Samoa, Tonga etc, but not at the expense of other areas.

Why do you have it in for Cook Islands and Niue, both those teams can put 50 plus on those teams you favour.

 

[adamkungl]

Why do you have it in for Cook Islands and Niue, both those teams can put 50 plus on those teams you favour.

Because having a World Cup with more than half the teams being tiny island nations does nothing to grow the sport.

 

[Force]

Because having a World Cup with more than half the teams being tiny island nations does nothing to grow the sport.

With all due respect, it is a World Cup....you do the 'growing' of a sport at the grassroots level, not at the World Cup. Cant do a lot in a month or so tournament, once every four years. I would much rather see the best teams at the World Cup cos Cricket scores are uglier than smaller Nations being present.

 

[jim_57]

Why do you have it in for Cook Islands and Niue, both those teams can put 50 plus on those teams you favour.

I don't, they should have their chance along with Tonga, Samoa etc. But no way should we be gifting them a spot because they can throw heritage players together. The 2 countries combined have about 22k population, they shouldn't expect and easy ride to any sport's World Cup.

I'm pretty sure all World Cups have systems in place during qualifiers to protect against overrepresentation from specific areas, RL should be no different.

 

[Force]

I don't, they should have their chance along with Tonga, Samoa etc. But no way should we be gifting them a spot because they can throw heritage players together. The 2 countries combined have about 22k population, they shouldn't expect and easy ride to any sport's World Cup.

I'm pretty sure all World Cups have systems in place during qualifiers to protect against overrepresentation from specific areas, RL should be no different.

Most teams will feature heritage players, especially the Pacific Nations, Italy, Scotland etc....I agree they shouldn't be gifted a spot or expect an easy ride to the World Cup but should qualify via repechage tournament. The Nations who are gifted spots are teams like Lebanon (Middle East/Asia) 7th European team and the 2nd America's. They have an easy ride to a World Cup, all Im saying is the fringe teams should all play at a repechage tournament to see which team deserves to go through cos if the likes of Russia, Serbia, Canada, South Africa etc...can not beat the Cook Islands or Niue, then they shouldn't be at the World Cup cos they'll get flogged even more.

 

[adamkungl]

The next meeting hoping to finalise the calendar is this weekend in Sydney.

Might look something like this for the next 4 years

2018
- ENWC @ Sydney
- NZ touring North for 3 matches vs England or GB and possible 3 matches against others
- European 6N concurrent to NZ tour.
- Aus likely to play NZ once in October and no one else.
- Fiji + other Pacific nations possibly touring North as well
- Americas Cup 3N likely to continue annually
- Expansion of Pacific tests into Pacific Cup is a possibility

2019
- Nines WC
- GB touring South with 3 matches v Aus, likely to play NZ and Samoa/PNG/Tonga/Fiji
- Euro Cup 6N likely
- Americas Cup 3N

2020
- WC Qualifiers
- Kangaroo tour of UK and France
- Euro Cup 6N likely
- Americas Cup 3N

2021
- England WC