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We can host Tri Nations: Webcke
05:59 AEST Wed Nov 10 2004
Straight-shooting Kangaroos prop Shane Webcke can see no reason why the Tri Nations wouldn't be a success in Australia - provided rugby league officials think outside the square and market the tournament properly.
Webcke declared his confidence in Australia's ability to host the tournament as English officials branded this year's Tri Nations a raging success and announced Saturday night's Great Britain-Australia game at Wigan's JJB Stadium was a sell-out.
Rugby Football League boss Richard Lewis also offered to hand the tournament over to Australia next season - an offer that has previously been declined by the Australian Rugby League, who fear they could take a hit in the hip pocket if it was played in the southern hemisphere.
That attitude riles Webcke, who believes international rugby league has a place in Australia provided it is marketed correctly.
"I think that's the key - it has to be properly promoted," Webcke said.
"I can't see any reason why it shouldn't be (a success). Take it to the places where we will get crowds. If the Sydneysiders don't want to watch it let's take it somewhere where people will.
"There's plenty of venues around that you'll pack out.
"These are great games of footy. I know a lot of people back home watch it. Why wouldn't they come out if the spectacle is at home?"
It's hard to believe the Kangaroos would fail to draw decent crowds in areas such as Newcastle and Townsville - centres that live and breath rugby league
Brisbane has also been an international wasteland in recent seasons - it's been five years since a Test was played at Suncorp Stadium - while Perth and Adelaide have been starved of rugby league since the end of the Super League war.
"You're taking the best of the best to these people and I think you'll find Australian people in general will go and watch a good sporting spectacle," Webcke said.
"If you take it to those other centres like Adelaide and Perth...I think you'd soon sell it.
"You have to think outside the square a little bit...it may not be as simple as put the poster up people will roll up. They may have to roll their sleeves up a bit more and properly promote it, like our cousins in rugby union do.
"Even the games of absolutely no consequence they just promote them right.
"It's about promotion and making people feel a sense of event. If we do that people will go and watch it, it doesn't matter if they're league fans or not.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=21891
©AAP 2004
05:59 AEST Wed Nov 10 2004
Straight-shooting Kangaroos prop Shane Webcke can see no reason why the Tri Nations wouldn't be a success in Australia - provided rugby league officials think outside the square and market the tournament properly.
Webcke declared his confidence in Australia's ability to host the tournament as English officials branded this year's Tri Nations a raging success and announced Saturday night's Great Britain-Australia game at Wigan's JJB Stadium was a sell-out.
Rugby Football League boss Richard Lewis also offered to hand the tournament over to Australia next season - an offer that has previously been declined by the Australian Rugby League, who fear they could take a hit in the hip pocket if it was played in the southern hemisphere.
That attitude riles Webcke, who believes international rugby league has a place in Australia provided it is marketed correctly.
"I think that's the key - it has to be properly promoted," Webcke said.
"I can't see any reason why it shouldn't be (a success). Take it to the places where we will get crowds. If the Sydneysiders don't want to watch it let's take it somewhere where people will.
"There's plenty of venues around that you'll pack out.
"These are great games of footy. I know a lot of people back home watch it. Why wouldn't they come out if the spectacle is at home?"
It's hard to believe the Kangaroos would fail to draw decent crowds in areas such as Newcastle and Townsville - centres that live and breath rugby league
Brisbane has also been an international wasteland in recent seasons - it's been five years since a Test was played at Suncorp Stadium - while Perth and Adelaide have been starved of rugby league since the end of the Super League war.
"You're taking the best of the best to these people and I think you'll find Australian people in general will go and watch a good sporting spectacle," Webcke said.
"If you take it to those other centres like Adelaide and Perth...I think you'd soon sell it.
"You have to think outside the square a little bit...it may not be as simple as put the poster up people will roll up. They may have to roll their sleeves up a bit more and properly promote it, like our cousins in rugby union do.
"Even the games of absolutely no consequence they just promote them right.
"It's about promotion and making people feel a sense of event. If we do that people will go and watch it, it doesn't matter if they're league fans or not.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=21891
©AAP 2004
