The 2008 World Cup - Will it happen??

[Copa]

WTF is going on??

More than just RL teams and administrators have to get ready for this sort of event.

I bet vast numbers of RL fans don't even know they are planning a WC for 2008.

Will the event even be happening?

 

[bowes]

If they don't I might give up bothering with rugby league, at least union can organise events.

The details of qualifying are out in March, but they are leaving it late.

 

[Copa]

If they don't I might give up bothering with rugby league, at least union can organise events.

The details of qualifying are out in March, but they are leaving it late.

Well I hope they have the finals info out by March also.

 

[screeny]

Latest I heard was that February RLEF meeting will herald the definite announcements re structure and qualifying formats. Der Kaiser mentioned that Richard Lewis was adamant that the tournament's organisation was well in hand but no announcments were to be made until the Aussies and Kiwis had agreed on certain fundamental issues, like tournament sharing etc.

However, since then the NRL clubs have all come out and poo pooed the March date that the RLEF meeting seemed to suggest was set 'in stone', suggesting that perhaps the RLEF and the NRL seiged RLIF are not on the same wave length.

I know, I know, it's hard to believe that two major bodies in RL are not perfectly in synch, but what the hey.......

If we get more dilatory fudging in February then I'd be inclined to think that it won't happen.

 

[brendothejet]

This is pretty negative talk guys.

Surely we can leave this paranoia stuff out...

 

[carlnz]

it will happen, no doubt about it. Just because nothing has been made public to us does not mean nothing is going on..

 

[brendothejet]

Exactly.

Besides i don't think anyone on here should be talking negatives about the 08WC.

Unless your PolyWorrier...

 

[dimitri]

By now we should have been started to hear about partners and sponsors for the rlwc 08!!!

These must been announced ASAP to ensure the success of the tournament


Over the coming months I will be putting forward some of my suggestions on how I believe we can make RLWC 08 the most successful ever. Some of the ideas will use comparisons from the ruwc and some will be fresh.

Part 1 - Co-branding/strategic partnerships/joint promotions

While many other sports have a long history of successful co-branding and strategic partnerships at an international level, RL definitely does not, (possibly due to the fact that we don't have a proper international board)

Whilst the recent RUWC had many examples of successful co-branding and joint promotions, the most recent rlwc had very little besides the lincoln financial sponsorship.

Below are some possible partnerships which I think will work well.


TAB
Although some people may not think it to be ideal for a betting agency to be one of the main partners with a sport, many sports have been able to do this, even the Sydney Swifts netball team!!!

RL has a long association with the TAB and is one of the most popular sports betted on, and there exists a massive opportunity for joint promotions leading up to and throughout the RLWC with all the betting agencies across the nation.

Perhaps run a competition or something similar, but also ensure that there is plenty to be gambled on - eg top tryscorer (each game and for the tournament) top pointscorer, margins, etc etc etc etc

Ensure that RLWC 08 advertising material is displayed in all TAB's around the nation!

Bundaberg Rum
Although I don't particularly like using a sponsor which was one of the ruwc blue ribbon sponsors, Bundaberg Rum has also shown its support of rugby league since the ruwc with sponsorship of the kangaroos and test matches. RLWC marketing collateral should be printed on all Bundy Rum bottles leading into the world cup and once again competitions to win tickets should be on the label.

A Major Bank
We all bank, and we all read bank marketing collateral! By aligning ourselves with a bank and producing joint collateral we can tap into a large audience and hopefully a large advertising budget!

A Major Credit Card
Similar to how the RUWC and Commonwealth Games have used VISA - I think it is imperative the we do the same either with VISA or someone else- which can be promoted for purchasing of tickets and many other promotions.

Powerade/Coca Cola
Recently Powerade has sponsored the Kangaroos, and ran a series of advertisements with the subject "save the best for last" or similar. Joint promtions and co-branding of bottles/cans would be a great way to promote the RLWC especially since their is already an existing partnership there!

Ice-Creams/Chocolate bars
Similar to how the powerade advertisements would work it would be an excellent idea to do the same with an ice-cream and chocolate brand, especially icecreams/chocolates which would be sold inside the grounds. Once again it would be great to have promotions on wrappers! Some examples which would provide a good fit include: Milo icecreams, Maxi-Bon and Crunchie.

Electronics
"Buy a plasma screen to watch the RLWC and you could find yourself at the final watching it live" - Phillips and Harvey Normany both have long associations with RL and representative league and would provide an excellent fit, as well as possibilites for tv ads and competitions.


Junior / School Teams
Most importantly RL has many junior teams and many many schools who participate in RL. Something similar to this was done for the tri-nations test in 2005 however I thought it was done very poorly. Instead local representatives should be contacting all local clubs - eg st george reps would contact brighton seagulls, arncliffe scots, riverwood, penshurst, hurstville etc, offering coaches and administrators very attractive "special release" tickets and team packages for RLWC games.

We cannot do something like what was done in 2005 where they didn't do much more than a put it on the nrl and arl websites and a few other small ads.

All junior clubs would surely like to take some of their players to the RLWC if the prices are right.

 

[Copa]

This is pretty negative talk guys.

Surely we can leave this paranoia stuff out...

I'm usually pretty positive.

 

[dimitri]

I'm usually pretty positive.

i can understand - with all the RL administrative bodies and their poor attitude towards international league, how it is easy to get so frustrated!

 

[Pig Champion]

I was a bit scared when I saw Copa had started this topic but was relieved when I realised it was just a case of IRLA. Common to those who wish to see the promotion and progress of international RL, "International Rugby League Anxiety" happens quite regularly, unlike international rugby league. The only known cure is the governing bodies of RL getting their heads out of their collective a*ses.

 

[Copa]

I was a bit scared when I saw Copa had started this topic but was relieved when I realised it was just a case of IRLA. Common to those who wish to see the promotion and progress of international RL, "International Rugby League Anxiety" happens quite regularly, unlike international rugby league. The only known cure is the governing bodies of RL getting their heads out of their collective a*ses.

IRLA indeed!!!

 

[taipan]

As far as i understand it,it will go ahead.Feasibility studies by an organisation headed by John Quayle has looked into financing,venues and promotion.This was the same organisation involved in organising the union world cup.
New stadiums will be ready in Melbourne and the Gold Coast giving more venue options.The number of teams has settled at 10.Its up to nominating firm dates and marketing for the event which is to celebrate 100 years of the game in oz,so it will go ahead.OK its only 2 years away,but I dont think that is a handicap,it looks as if the ARL and ESL and others have spent a lot of time getting it right,rather than a hasty not really thought out event such as the 2000WC.Id rather it be done professionally ,than a stuff up.

 

[Woods99]

As far as i understand it,it will go ahead.Feasibility studies by an organisation headed by John Quayle has looked into financing,venues and promotion.This was the same organisation involved in organising the union world cup.
New stadiums will be ready in Melbourne and the Gold Coast giving more venue options.The number of teams has settled at 10.Its up to nominating firm dates and marketing for the event which is to celebrate 100 years of the game in oz,so it will go ahead.OK its only 2 years away,but I dont think that is a handicap,it looks as if the ARL and ESL and others have spent a lot of time getting it right,rather than a hasty not really thought out event such as the 2000WC.Id rather it be done professionally ,than a stuff up.

Okay, when will it be held, and when will the qualifying playing schedules be announced?

 

[taipan]

Okay, when will it be held, and when will the qualifying playing schedules be announced?

All in good time,you will be among the first to know bruvver.;-) feb/march mark it down in your diary.

 

[brendothejet]

Woods99,

you know its going to happen and are sh*t scared about the success it has the potential to enjoy.

Also your one insult (by then it will be 8 years old) will be null and void leaving you with nothing left to chew on except the bitterness inside.

i'll see you at the final:

France vs Australia
(France to win 22-16)

 

[Woods99]

Woods99,

you know its going to happen and are sh*t scared about the success it has the potential to enjoy.

When?

Also your one insult (by then it will be 8 years old) will be null and void leaving you with nothing left to chew on except the bitterness inside.

i'll see you at the final:

France vs Australia
(France to win 22-16)

How many French spectators will be there?

 

[Green Machine]

I wonder if the announcement for the preliminary rounds of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup is in as much doubt as the Wallabies appointing a new coach who is to George Gregan’s satisfaction.

 

[taipan]

When?



How many French spectators will be there?

Why are you so insistent and impatient ?.Appears you are wanting to book tickets early to get the best seat to real sporting spectacles.

How many French specos were there at the union WC in 2003 ?

Celebration of 100 years of rugby league in Oz,despite the discrimination against players by union authorities,employers and other union fans in the formative years.You should be so proud The game survived a war that would have flattened other codes,and still maintains a substantial lead in popularity over union in oz,and continues to grow.Not bad hey.

 

[Woods99]

Why are you so insistent and impatient ?.Appears you are wanting to book tickets early to get the best seat to real sporting spectacles.

Well, after the disappointment of 2004, I suppose a lot of people are are impatient to see something in writing.

How many French specos were there at the union WC in 2003 ?

I don't know. But I do know that just over 1000 spectators were at a league international between France and England a couple of months ago. Let us be generous and assume that half of them were French. If only 500 French supporters can be bothered travelling across the English Channel to watch their team play, I wouldn't be holding out high hopes for any more than a handful of French spectators here in 2008. If it happens.

Celebration of 100 years of rugby league in Oz,despite the discrimination against players by union authorities,employers and other union fans in the formative years.

Discrimination? In Australia? Do you mean the formative years when rugby union virtually disappeared in Queensland? Or the years when the international game here was only saved by the Fijian tour in the fifties?

I think you are confusing what happened in the north of England with what happened here. However, if you have any facts, I would be interested to hear about them.

You should be so proud The game survived a war that would have flattened other codes,and still maintains a substantial lead in popularity over union in oz,and continues to grow.Not bad hey.

I have never heard of a sport being flattened by having $400 million poured into it.

And rugby union is growing too, in Australia, and elsewhere in the world. Mostly on hard work by locals. It is kind of hard to imagine Western Sydney producing any international rugby union teams.