Union Hypocrisy Strikes
Rugby Union is currently crying foul over claims by rugby league fans that they claim are attempting to downgrade their World Cup.
It seems the union bosses and fans alike who continuously criticised our own World Cup in 2000 cannot accept that their code faces similar problems on an international level.
At the time of our World Cup league constantly faced criticism from ‘rugby’ particularly directed at the over usage of the grandparents rule and residency rules, also used by the IRB, and the lack of competition apart from the 3 powerhouse nations, Australia, New Zealand and England.
The union world cup can only boast 5 sides at most capable of winning their showpiece event and has failed to provide viewers with an upset throughout the competition as yet. On top of this only one close contest has been provided. This coming from a game between Fiji and the United States of America, a side whose backline includes Phillip Eloff (South Africa), Riann Van Zyl (South Africa), Mike Hercus (Australia), Jason Keyter (South Africa/England), and Mose Timoteo (Samoa).
Apart from the make up of the Eagles team the Scottish and Japanese team also boast New Zealand imports amongst others so perhaps before the supposed ‘World’ game of union criticises the state of international league perhaps they should look in their own backyard.
Rugby League’s World Cup suprisingly offered a number of upsets by the likes of the Cook Islands and Samoa and all contests not involving the likes of Australia, New Zealand and England were relatively close and entertaining.
Whilst admittingly at a stronger position than league on an international level the clear gaps between the top five and those under them is growing larger at a rapid rate. Many international union bodies are also facing financial problems as rugby league continues to make inroads in traditionally rugby union dominated areas such as the likes of New Zealand, the south of England, Wales and New Caledonia. Rugby League also continues to improve in France following the appalling treatment directed at our game by the rugby union influenced governments which attempted to destroy rugby league following its rapid rise in the country and the threat it posed to the insecure rugby authorities.
John O’Neil has also criticised the ARL for scheduling their Kangaroo Tour to coincide with the Union World Cup, an unreasonable claim as the correlating seasons of the English and Australian domestic seasons leaves little alternatives available. The Kangaroo tours are also traditionally played at the conclusion of the Australian domestic competition so there is no reason there would be a difference in scheduling now.
Interestingly O’Neill has not criticised the AFL for scheduling their International Rules fixtures against Ireland during the World Cup nor Baseball who are currently holding their World Series tournament.
So to all the union supporters crying foul of criticism faced from rugby league’s legion of fans all I can say is ‘good riddance’.
Ben Cheeseman
Rugby Union is currently crying foul over claims by rugby league fans that they claim are attempting to downgrade their World Cup.
It seems the union bosses and fans alike who continuously criticised our own World Cup in 2000 cannot accept that their code faces similar problems on an international level.
At the time of our World Cup league constantly faced criticism from ‘rugby’ particularly directed at the over usage of the grandparents rule and residency rules, also used by the IRB, and the lack of competition apart from the 3 powerhouse nations, Australia, New Zealand and England.
The union world cup can only boast 5 sides at most capable of winning their showpiece event and has failed to provide viewers with an upset throughout the competition as yet. On top of this only one close contest has been provided. This coming from a game between Fiji and the United States of America, a side whose backline includes Phillip Eloff (South Africa), Riann Van Zyl (South Africa), Mike Hercus (Australia), Jason Keyter (South Africa/England), and Mose Timoteo (Samoa).
Apart from the make up of the Eagles team the Scottish and Japanese team also boast New Zealand imports amongst others so perhaps before the supposed ‘World’ game of union criticises the state of international league perhaps they should look in their own backyard.
Rugby League’s World Cup suprisingly offered a number of upsets by the likes of the Cook Islands and Samoa and all contests not involving the likes of Australia, New Zealand and England were relatively close and entertaining.
Whilst admittingly at a stronger position than league on an international level the clear gaps between the top five and those under them is growing larger at a rapid rate. Many international union bodies are also facing financial problems as rugby league continues to make inroads in traditionally rugby union dominated areas such as the likes of New Zealand, the south of England, Wales and New Caledonia. Rugby League also continues to improve in France following the appalling treatment directed at our game by the rugby union influenced governments which attempted to destroy rugby league following its rapid rise in the country and the threat it posed to the insecure rugby authorities.
John O’Neil has also criticised the ARL for scheduling their Kangaroo Tour to coincide with the Union World Cup, an unreasonable claim as the correlating seasons of the English and Australian domestic seasons leaves little alternatives available. The Kangaroo tours are also traditionally played at the conclusion of the Australian domestic competition so there is no reason there would be a difference in scheduling now.
Interestingly O’Neill has not criticised the AFL for scheduling their International Rules fixtures against Ireland during the World Cup nor Baseball who are currently holding their World Series tournament.
So to all the union supporters crying foul of criticism faced from rugby league’s legion of fans all I can say is ‘good riddance’.
Ben Cheeseman
