brendothejet
First Grade
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As a plethora of internationals rarely screen graces the Rugby League paddocks of the globe a general buzz has arisen about the upcoming 2008 Rugby League World Cup Finals.
With the big five guaranteed a place, the hardworking Fiji Bati and the powerful and destructive Tonga earning their spots the places remaining become thin, though the teams that remain are many.
Right from the very first European qualifiers it was evident it was going to be a tough slog for many of the teams. When you add to this the troubles of the world forcing games to be moved, even cancelled, a long road got just that bit longer.
Currently we are foccused on the goings on of Europe, but, there is one team who've been toiling away for a while and could quite well be on the verge of something.
The U.S.A Tomahawks.
In a bit of a Rugby League no-mans-land the Yanks have spent a good ten years building a comp, developing the game and their players, and testing themselves at the highest levels available.
America should be looked upon as a huge success. They tour regularly to foreign shores for tournaments, they recieve inbound tours every year and put on a good show and every year they grow their comp in sensible, yet exciting ways.
The first time I discovered the AMNRL there were 4 teams. In a few short years they have more than doubled this.
When the final round of matches comes up the US will face some seasoned and stiff opponents in the likes of Samoa, Lebanon and probably Wales.
All three of these add some of their own spark to the tournament but the USA, they make people sit up and take notice.
Everybody knows about the British Isles involvement in RL. Everyone knows the PAcific Islanders are brilliant, but to see the Yanks here would turn heads, not just here, but in the US itself giving the game a much needed promotional boost.
NOw I don't propose that the American's get in because it will help the tournament. They should get in because they have been building for it for so long. I know the same could be said about any other country, but America is so much more of a RL frontier. A frontier that needs to be captured and shown the biggest stage of the game.
Imagine the RLWC being beamed into US homes as the Tomahawks take on Australia or Fiji or France! Just one win would be enough to make the people sit up and take notice.
Look I wish all of the teams could come, but, they cant.
I love the hard work the Welsh have done rebuilding the game. I love the success story of the lebanese. I love the intencity and passion of the samoans.
But.
For the first time in my life, I want more Americans in australia.
at least for a few weeks of football....
With the big five guaranteed a place, the hardworking Fiji Bati and the powerful and destructive Tonga earning their spots the places remaining become thin, though the teams that remain are many.
Right from the very first European qualifiers it was evident it was going to be a tough slog for many of the teams. When you add to this the troubles of the world forcing games to be moved, even cancelled, a long road got just that bit longer.
Currently we are foccused on the goings on of Europe, but, there is one team who've been toiling away for a while and could quite well be on the verge of something.
The U.S.A Tomahawks.
In a bit of a Rugby League no-mans-land the Yanks have spent a good ten years building a comp, developing the game and their players, and testing themselves at the highest levels available.
America should be looked upon as a huge success. They tour regularly to foreign shores for tournaments, they recieve inbound tours every year and put on a good show and every year they grow their comp in sensible, yet exciting ways.
The first time I discovered the AMNRL there were 4 teams. In a few short years they have more than doubled this.
When the final round of matches comes up the US will face some seasoned and stiff opponents in the likes of Samoa, Lebanon and probably Wales.
All three of these add some of their own spark to the tournament but the USA, they make people sit up and take notice.
Everybody knows about the British Isles involvement in RL. Everyone knows the PAcific Islanders are brilliant, but to see the Yanks here would turn heads, not just here, but in the US itself giving the game a much needed promotional boost.
NOw I don't propose that the American's get in because it will help the tournament. They should get in because they have been building for it for so long. I know the same could be said about any other country, but America is so much more of a RL frontier. A frontier that needs to be captured and shown the biggest stage of the game.
Imagine the RLWC being beamed into US homes as the Tomahawks take on Australia or Fiji or France! Just one win would be enough to make the people sit up and take notice.
Look I wish all of the teams could come, but, they cant.
I love the hard work the Welsh have done rebuilding the game. I love the success story of the lebanese. I love the intencity and passion of the samoans.
But.
For the first time in my life, I want more Americans in australia.
at least for a few weeks of football....