Why does rugby league have trouble expanding internationally compared to other codes

[Perth Red]

We can't even build on our strength (the clubs) to develop decent international exposure and feel. A proper WCC and world club nines would be a start. Then a proper international calendar, then support for 2nd tier nations to strengthen ie Remove salary cap for players signed from Wales Union, let Les Catalans spend what they like as long as its on French players, support regular well paid fixtures for PI nations so players can choose them as first choice rep without losing salary etc etc.

No will, no way.

 

[Stewbum]

We can't even build on our strength (the clubs) to develop decent international exposure and feel. A proper WCC and world club nines would be a start. Then a proper international calendar, then support for 2nd tier nations to strengthen ie Remove salary cap for players signed from Wales Union, let Les Catalans spend what they like as long as its on French players, support regular well paid fixtures for PI nations so players can choose them as first choice rep without losing salary etc etc.

No will, no way.

I doth appoint you IRL Commisioner.

Please duly reward me with the head of the QRL job.

 

[Perth Red]

I think it would only work if I was appointed emperor of global RL. In true Star Wars fashion I would dissolve the senate as it is ineffective and rule the galaxy with an iron fist. That would soon sort RL out!

 

[gUt]

We can't even build on our strength (the clubs) to develop decent international exposure and feel.

PNG Hunters

 

[CowboyFuriousFury]

To think it was RL that come up with the world cup way before Union and if only they had the foresight to use the world cup as a catalyst to spread the game into developing countries decades ago perhaps the international game would of being way stronger.

But the short-sight, club first mentality has put the code to a stand-still it's frustrating as a fan to see a code with so much potential just stand still and does nothing.

 

[Captain Apollo]

Really, it's the "cub first mentality" restricting rugby league? Hmm, doesn't happen in other sports eh? Tell that to Will Genia.

Personally there is no"one" factor, it is a combination of them. One thing though is people seem to think that if the NRL diverted its financial resources we would have this thriving international competition. If you think that then I think you are gravely mistaken as to how far an Australian dollar is going to go.

Further it is not the NRL's job to propagate rugby league in other countries.

Also you also ignore the impact of the players on this. Whenever there is an increase in revenue flowing into the game what do we hear? Players demanding an increase in the salary cap both here and in the ESL. Hence if you want revenue for expansion at international level, ways need to be looked at to generate that revenue at international level so it can be spent at that level. The IRL has what 1 full time staff member iirc.

That said competitiveness is one area that international rugby league games need, and let's face it, England are the ones who are way behind both the Kiwis and the Kangaroos in this area. I mean the simple fact that players who are reserve grade talents in the NRL go to the UK and become "star" players in the ESL tells a lot about England's standing I'm afraid.In the short term improving the standard of the ESL would be a start, especially if we ever want to see a genuine, regularly competitive England International rugby league team.

 

[docbrown]

Personally there is no"one" factor, it is a combination of them. One thing though is people seem to think that if the NRL diverted its financial resources we would have this thriving international competition. If you think that then I think you are gravely mistaken as to how far an Australian dollar is going to go.

Further it is not the NRL's job to propagate rugby league in other countries.

I don't think any reasonable person is suggesting that it's one sole factor.

But regarding what the NRL's job is -- if the argument is that there aren't enough quality players to sustain expansion sides doesn't logic dictate that you should expand your player pool? WA, SA & Victoria are worthy of investment but if you want to get there faster then go where there's an existing base where people already play league or can be adapted from union. In the NRL's backyard that's PNG, New Zealand & the Pacific Islands.

Part of the rationale for creating the Hunters is to get more talent into the NRL because the clubs are too lazy to scout there. It's for both the NRL's & PNG's mutual benefit.

 

[Stewbum]

Remember people that the PNG Hunters is just regaining what we had in 1996. The Port Moresby Vipers were in the Qld Cup for a few seasons but all went to hell during and after Superleague.

That said, the Vipers were old-style PNG - flair in attack but zero defence. The Hunters are a well drilled, fit, and importantly physically big side. The backs are virtually indistinguishable from the forwards. The Hunters are a huge step forward for PNG.

Much like with the Hunters, expanding the NRL is only turning back the clock 20 years to reclaim that lost progress. An important step, but hardly something to crow about...

The NRL only cares about the NRL. Not about the sport, nor International RL, nor expansion.

 

[Perth Red]

And there was no nrl strategy around the hunters. It has come from Png and supported, eventually, by the QrL and funded by aid funding to png. The lack of nrl funding and expense model means they are already in strife.

 

[adamkungl]

Further it is not the NRL's job to propagate rugby league in other countries.

Disagree. As the most powerful and wealthy RL body in the world, I would argue it is well within both their responsibility and long term interest to grow the game outside its current boundaries, or to provide some of that wealth and power to an international body who will.

 

[adamkungl]

On topic, RL struggles to grow because it begun in the shadow of a larger code, and as a result of said shadow and the limited resources available has always had a shitty small-time attitude which results in shitty small-time short sighted decisions and petty infighting.

The most common example is "we need to strengthen the heartlands before we can expand" which is exactly what we've been doing for little result for over 100 years.

 

[Perth Red]

But its a great excuse for procrastination!

At a grass roots levelRL is expanding quite nicely, all be it slowly, across the world. It is taking that up to the next level where it constantly falls short. Getting competitive International teams out of amateur leagues is never going to happen. France and PNg would be the best hopes, lets face it PI are only reasonably competitive due to so many aussies/kiwis being eligible. Getting professional leagues in France and PNG should be the next goal.
And sign alot of welsh union players again!

 

[Stallion]

But its a great excuse for procrastination!

At a grass roots levelRL is expanding quite nicely, all be it slowly, across the world. It is taking that up to the next level where it constantly falls short. Getting competitive International teams out of amateur leagues is never going to happen. France and PNg would be the best hopes, lets face it PI are only reasonably competitive due to so many aussies/kiwis being eligible. Getting professional leagues in France and PNG should be the next goal.
And sign alot of welsh union players again!

I think it should be noted that when rugby league starts to sprout its roots in Central Europe they are met with difficult circumstances(getting grounds etc) and the RU body "offer" to take the code under its "warm"(not) arms. Guess what happens when the shit hits the fan and which competition is ousted?!
A superior rugby code(RL) is being held back in so many ways but the source of this bigotry is derived from the private schools of the world which in turn harness a bias against rugby league at the big end of town and in government agencies.
Unless we attack/identify the core issue of educational inequity then RL will always struggle. The poor administrators are a point, but this can be somewhat linked to the poor educational background that they may be spawned from. Perhaps its a deliberate plot by RU to supplant and spoil decent administrators which I suspect was the case in the "Super league" fiasco. If you note the game was starting to grow exponentially back then and then suddenly this "thing" from nowhere(actually the top end of town-News Ltd etc ) was happening before our very eyes. Coincidence ? I think not! Deliberate and targeted ? Yes

 

[roughyedspud]

Yep..struggling

 

[IntRLEnthusiast]

A professional league in France would be great because they play over our summer and we would be spared the Rugby League off season..

 

[roughyedspud]

The amount of money knocking around the french league is on a par with the bottom half of the championship and some QLD/NSW cup sides

 

[Usain Bolt]

Origin gets 4 times the ratings and crowds a test would get. That seems to be the main problem, most fans would rather their state beat the other state than their country beat another country/.

 

[roughyedspud]

2million people watched england v nz last weekend

 

[Perth Red]

Origin gets 4 times the ratings and crowds a test would get. That seems to be the main problem, most fans would rather their state beat the other state than their country beat another country/.

That's because
A) NRL is primarily a two state competition
B) all the money, marketing and hype has gone into origin to build it up
C) Origin is in middle of season when fans are switched on, IRL is post season when fans are over the game and taking a break.

Smith was on the right track, making kangaroo payments more than origin, talking up a kangaroo jersey as the pinnacle of a players career etc. Then we went a whole year without a meaningful kangaroo game sigh.

 

[adamkungl]

The amount of money knocking around the french league is on a par with the bottom half of the championship and some QLD/NSW cup sides

If we can fantasise about a US Pro league from basically nothing then surely we can do the same about a French one from far more solid foundations.. we all know they're probably both never gonna happen anyway lol.

If France got their national team on the pitch more often against worthwhile opposition (and were competitive) they might get the financial shot in the arm they need to take the comp up a level.