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Where now for Tonga?

adamkungl

Immortal
Messages
42,971
This debate is going around in silly circles.

Tonga do not need to play in Tonga or be a developed country or sell tickets in Tonga to deserve a fair share of the cash.
Tonga RL by participating is selling tickets to fans of Tonga, whether they are Tongan or Kiwi or Aussie Tongans or people who just like the sport. Tonga RL playing big games with big players has undoubtedly increased the audience of International Rugby League.

But - the lions share of the cash will *always* go to whoever is the main financial backer of the event. Be it the RLIF, NRL, NZRL, or Duco events.
How much Tonga gets after that is open to negotiation.
If the RLIF is financially backing a tournament with Aus NZ and Tonga, the RLIF should take its cut and Aus NZ and Tonga should receive an equal share.
If the NZRL is financially backing a tournament with Aus and Tonga, the NZRL holds the cards. Again I would hope that they take the first cut and Aus and Tonga get an equal share.
 

Perth Red

Post Whore
Messages
69,520
Its good to see the Tongan govt chipping in to pay players but not sure how sustainable that would be? They need to get a decent long term sponsor on board.
 

Hello, I'm The Doctor

First Grade
Messages
9,124
Hard to say really.
The implication is, from the "Continental" name thats penciled in, that the best nations from each continent would participate.

However given the massive skew in talent towards the Pacific and Europe, this might be not the best way forward or even realistic.

Just a guess, but im certain that is not what they meant. That would basically be a shittier version of the World Cup...

It seems more likely they "Continental" refers to Europe and/or America. This would make sense for a bunch of reasons:

- Limit travel costs by separating Northern and Souther Hemisphere into Oceanic Cup and Continental Cup.
- A bland, inclusive naming scheme to allow nations to be included/excluded without much fuss.
- Gives contrast to the bigger WC event and context to each match.

I think it is FAR more likely that this Continental Cup is just the Europe/America equivilant of the Oceanic Cup
 

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