What would be the biggest upset in week 1?

[giboz71]

ok
but
France aren't a tier 1 nation and they aren't regarded a tier 1 nation by anyone and tier 1 nations don't get any special funding from any RL body.. so what funding will be affected exactly?

It’s not from the RL body. It’s from the government. Funding for sports in France is dependent on whether you’re regarded as what I would term “Tier 1”. Clearly the national rugby side would qualify for example. Soccer obviously as well.

France are currently ranked 6th in RLIF rankings prior to the tournament so that qualifies them as Tier 1 sport in the country.

If they went out in straight sets after the World Cup and day fell out of the top 10, this puts this funding at risk.

That’s how it got described to me if they lost against Lebanon (assuming they lose against England and Australia as well).

 

[adamkungl]

It’s not from the RL body. It’s from the government. Funding for sports in France is dependent on whether you’re regarded as what I would term “Tier 1”. Clearly the national rugby side would qualify for example. Soccer obviously as well.

France are currently ranked 6th in RLIF rankings prior to the tournament so that qualifies them as Tier 1 sport in the country.

If they went out in straight sets after the World Cup and day fell out of the top 10, this puts this funding at risk.

That’s how it got described to me if they lost against Lebanon (assuming they lose against England and Australia as well).

Ok that's interesting.
Sorry, confusion was over the tier 1 concept - under the RLIF only Australia NZ and England are regarded as tier 1. Obviously different under government bodies.

 

[giboz71]

Ok that's interesting.
Sorry, confusion was over the tier 1 concept - under the RLIF only Australia NZ and England are regarded as tier 1. Obviously different under government bodies.

Yeh, should have changed my terminology.

The govt funding is massively important for French Rugby League as it funds juniors, stadiums and clubs like Toulouse who are trying to get into Super League.

If they bomb at this world cup, that funding may get pulled or drastically cut. So the French boys are treating the Lebanon game as their grand final and are massively up for it.

 

[Evil Homer]

Really not sure Toulouse are being funded by the French government. But good that they're fired up for the game.

 

[giboz71]

Really not sure Toulouse are being funded by the French government. But good that they're fired up for the game.

Toulouse would still benefit from stadium upgrades and juniors etc.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Take the poms at + 16 point headstart, what's sportsbet thinking

I see why they have them at 16 start - Average points difference between the two sides is almost 19 points per game since GB split up. I know what you mean though, I think England are better than this and I really hope they make a fist of this tournament.

2016 Four Nations: Australia 36 – England 18
2014 Four Nations: Australia 16 – England 12
2013 World Cup: Australia 28 – England 20
2011 Four Nations Final: Australia 30 – England 8
2011 Four Nations Group: Australia 36 – England 20
2010 Four Nations: Australia 34 – England 20
2009 Four Nations Final: Australia 46 – England 16
2009 Four Nations Group: Australia 26 – England 16
2008 World Cup: Australia 52 – England 4

I hope that the future allows these two sides to play each other more. Nine times in nine years is not enough, it would have been seven if England didn't make the four nations finals in 2009 and 2011.

 

[adamkungl]

I hope that the future allows these two sides to play each other more. Nine times in nine years is not enough, it would have been seven if England didn't make the four nations finals in 2009 and 2011.

Should be double that.
The backbone of international Rugby League should be
EVERY YEAR
Aus v NZ x3
Aus v Eng x2
NZ v Eng x2
Eng v Fra x3

 

[roughyedspud]

But there isn't the physical time to do that pal..

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Should be double that.
The backbone of international Rugby League should be
EVERY YEAR
Aus v NZ x3
Aus v Eng x2
NZ v Eng x2
Eng v Fra x3

Yep - plus annual Euro, Pacific and Atlantic cups

 

[adamkungl]

But there isn't the physical time to do that pal..

There is though

 

[Pommy]

There is though

Whilst I admire your ambition I do not see that being workable in reality, not for a long time anyway. If England can make the proposed annual test against the Kiwis during origin 2 actually happen I will be amazed.
How many times a year do England play southern hemisphere sides? I cant even see 3 games against France year taking off as it is likely to be very one sided.

 

[Rhyno]

England beating Australia would be the biggest upset in rugby league history

 

[Golden point]

Lebanon over France.. I don’t trust France at these tournaments.

I want France to do well but I think Lebanon with Fitler coaching will want it to much.

I'm not sure I would even call it an upset. I have Lebanon as favorites.

 

[Golden point]

Scotland win over Tonga; there’s rightly a lot of hype about the Tongans whilst Scotland got stuffed by an U23s team.

Good thing the Scottish like the cold.
They're gunna need a long ice bath after this! Massive powerful side- that run hard! Tonga by 40.

 

[adamkungl]

Whilst I admire your ambition I do not see that being workable in reality, not for a long time anyway. If England can make the proposed annual test against the Kiwis during origin 2 actually happen I will be amazed.
How many times a year do England play southern hemisphere sides? I cant even see 3 games against France year taking off as it is likely to be very one sided.

"We can't play more games because we currently don't play many games" isn't really a great excuse though is it

 

[Pommy]

"We can't play more games because we currently don't play many games" isn't really a great excuse though is it

Not but it’s not without merit either. How do you fit these games in to the calander? Do you intend to keep playing club games whilst players are playing rep games? If so I think there’s going to be serious backlash from clubs and fans.

 

[adamkungl]

Not but it’s not without merit either. How do you fit these games in to the calander? Do you intend to keep playing club games whilst players are playing rep games? If so I think there’s going to be serious backlash from clubs and fans.

3 local region tests or 1 travel test mid-season.

No excuse for NZ or any of the Pacific nations not to be able to play a game aligning with each Origin match - if it's rejected while Australia is allowed to strip out 2 teams worth to play amongst itself, it's gross favouritism at best and borderline racism at worst.
England playing France or Wales midseason is a lot less of a time hit than travelling to the south, and we all know the SL season is a month too long anyway.

5-6 tests in October-November
No reason why this can't happen. We come close most years with WC or 4N anyway. The problem is Australia taking a year off. Instead of this, if player burnout is an issue have Aus rep players stagger their leave periods over the 3 years between World Cups instead of pulling the entire nation from the calendar for a year.

That's all possible with minimum change to the current calendar. If the NRL and SL seasons were shorter, and they should be even before we take into account the rep calendar, it opens up more opportunities.

 

[GongPanther]

England beating Australia would be the biggest upset in rugby league history

I'm heavily sensing an England win. I've smacked a monkey on em @ $6.00.

 

[flamin]

1) Scotland v Tonga - RIP Scotland’s forward pack.

2) USA v Fiji - amateurs and semi-pros going up against some of the game’s best.

3) England v Australia - Australia won’t be complacent for the first game. Wayne will be hoping for a repeat of 08 with the Kiwis - you only have to beat Australia once and that is in the final.

 

[adamkungl]

I've got England and all other favourites in a multi at $14 lol