Why is representing your country so devalued in RL?

[kiwileaguefan]

So far the All Blacks have played 10 Tests (3 vs England, 3 vs Aussie, 2 vs Argentina and 2 vs SA), and they still have four tests to go. Added to that, a normal Super Rugby season is 16 games (3 more games if you make the GF). So all up an All Black player could potentially play a maximum of 33 games. I am taking into account that they wont play NPC rugby...as nearly all of them didn't this year.

Now an Australian League player this year would have played 5 Tests (assuming they make the Four Nations Final), 3 SOO, 24 NRL Games (up to 4 more games if you make the GF). So that's a total of 36 games potentially...

Now i have not even looked at a Super League player...the key factor is the NRL is up to 28 games a season vs 19 for Super Rugby...until the NRL/Super League reduce the regular rounds, i wouldnt expect more internationals to be played...

If NZ and England could regularly beat Australia, that will only help..

 

[Bombay Devils RLFC]

state of origin devalues international RL... simple

It may but it really is the fault of countries such as England who thought they could simply turn up and win games against other countries rather than develop the code properly.

I also prefer the internationals to be the pinnacle but until their is real competition then SOO will be No.1 in this country at least.

 

[Joker's Wild]

state of origin devalues international RL... simple

Well no its not "simple" at all. SOO only effects Australian players, whats the other countries excuse?

 

[WireMan]

Well no its not "simple" at all. SOO only effects Australian players, whats the other countries excuse?

In the biggest RL market in the world people talk (incorrectly) of origin being the pinnacle of the game so that has an effect.

Couple that with players like Uate and Tamou and it clearly effects more than 'Australian' players.



On internationals, in union the 6 nations is played during the season and players have clauses in contracts to ensure they are released.
In league, club rugby is king.

Just look where the money is in both sports.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

At the end of the day the answer is simple: the international game needs more prestige.

Prestige comes from:

- genuine eligibility rules
- competitivity
- spectacle
- regularity
- media complicity
- high class sponsors
- presentability (signage, lighting, referreeing, broadcast quality, commentary)

International RL has about 1 of those and needs to work at getting the others in place.

 

[maccattack]

The players take it seriously. Especially those from the smaller nations.

 

[JoeD]

Money? What are the match payments compared with $50k/game SOO?

 

[Joker's Wild]

In the biggest RL market in the world people talk (incorrectly) of origin being the pinnacle of the game so that has an effect.

Couple that with players like Uate and Tamou and it clearly effects more than 'Australian' players.



On internationals, in union the 6 nations is played during the season and players have clauses in contracts to ensure they are released.
In league, club rugby is king.

Just look where the money is in both sports.

Both of whom at the time fit the criteria as being "Australian"

Speaking of which, the NRL has adjusted the eligibility rules to further restrict who is able to play SOO yet we STILL see people whinging that SOO is the reason for the poor Int'l game. What exactly are the other countries outside of Australia doing to help?

 

[franklin2323]

Speaking of which, the NRL has adjusted the eligibility rules to further restrict who is able to play SOO yet we STILL see people whinging that SOO is the reason for the poor Int'l game. What exactly are the other countries outside of Australia doing to help?

The hatred of origin blinds them to the fact. Origin or no Origin this tournament is the only footy the poms will play this year. 0 home tests.... But hey SOO is the problem

 

[maple_69]

The same reason I treat Vindaloo as the premier dish within the Indian cuisine rather than Butter Chicken which is objectively more enjoyable. I walk away from a struggle with a hot vindaloo feeling like I've achieved something great. I walk away from a butter chicken knowing I've had a nice night dining out.

 

[BrisbaneRhino]

Wasn't it Australia who KO'd a 3 test series in England next year? Luckily the kiwis see some value in it.

The impact of Origin in terms of playing is overstated - there aren't many players in Origin who could play for other countries. It does exist though, and it wouldn't weaken Origin at all if a couple of players played for their state and NZ rather than Aus.

The key though is England and NZ being regularly competitive. Without that its hard to push internationals too far. With it, Origin would automatically take a back seat over time, as Origin couldn't realistically claim to be the pinnacle if Australia lose half the time to England or NZ.

NZ are on an upwards trend as the number of NZ eligible players across the NRL continues to rise. Hopefully they can be more competitive mid-season as well, but in any event they aren't too far off.

England are the problem. We saw against Samoa what basic problems they have as a team. SL isn't as strong as the NRL, and never will be - the number of quality players just isn't high enough and RU is a far bigger worry in terms of poaching than it is in Aus. More players to the NRL will help, but it inevitably also weakens SL, so the balance has to be right.

I don't have a solution, but international RL has real potential to benefit both SL and NRL massively in terms of money and prestige. Its the game's loss if its never realised.