If France come in 2007, sure I don't think they should be relegated to Penrith stadium.
But I think the marketing of the Kangaroos, and whatmore the function of the Kangaroos has to undergo massive reform.
Firstly the marketing. When garner 'Test' match RL as the utmost level (even though it is currently superceded by SOO), therefore deserves the biggest crowds, biggest media exposure, biggest of everything.
Our sport has the potential to be all over every other sport in this country by being the highest quality at 3 levels.
Club, State and International.
We have the first 2 sorted out, now it's time to work on the third.
The fact remains no other sport looks like having top calibre entertainment at all 3 levels.
But the marketing has to be "watch the roos, the very best we can offer'. We still have this hang-up on trying to prove every match up is a struggle not decided until the 80th minute.
Cricket has this sorted, RU has this sorted. Market the abilities of the star individuals and the fact it is a congregation of 17 stars all at once. Likewise, walk before you can run.
RL rules regional Australia, and as a strength, RL should focus on making regional Australia inclusive of the game. We are currently happy to get 25-35,000 crowds for a game.
Well get these 25-35,000 crowds in as many places as possible.
Townsville, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Gosford, Canberra.
If you told these 5 cities they had the next 5 tests, all 5 tests would sell out and RL can scream from the roof tops "5 capacity crowds in a row".
Get the hype, give Sydney and Brisbane a one off taste, then shuffle it around again. Add Melbourne to the mix and eventually you'll have 8 cities in the mix who all want test match football.
It'll be the hype surrounding international football, and only international football, that will open the doors back up in Adelaide and Perth.
