World Cup embarrassment

[Perth Red]

PNG are great, and need NRL team soon - they'd have to be next ahead of Perth unless they prove this weekend that they support RL.

Hopefully we can match Sydneys outstanding effort at the Weekend!

 

[Warriors Fever]

I've got to say that I absolutely love this world cup!
The blow out scores aren't a problem at all, it is a clear indication that some countries like Fiji, Tonga, Samoa,Png and Ireland are stepping up. I also thought France are doing ok, so what Aussies gave them a bit of a touch up but they went with them for a while and played some good footy. Lebanon are only doing well because of the heritage players but with some follow up work we will have them get better and maybe in 4 years we will see more playing the game in Lebanon and then we can find some talent there .
This is awesome! We now have a regular international event! One that countries around the world will want to be a part of!

The underperformed teams this year have been given a gauge for where they need to be.

This is no longer some side show where anything could happen. You need to be on your game!
Scotland has got the message and has sent a few boys packing.

You have to love the guys saying this thing is a joke bla bla..... mark my words. The AFL are absolutely green with envy. As are other code.

It is done.

Rugby League is now an international game!

My thoughts exactly, if you look at it with a half full glass you'll see a couple of these blowouts as teams improving. Fiji for Instance arguably have a better side this World Cup, said with Ireland, png, etc

 

[Warriors Fever]

Yes and it is utterly dominated by the USA (they've lost twice.........ever). It is still attracts global broadcast deals, global sponsorship deals and fill stadia. RL is not as popular as basketball but it is good to see a model for us that shows that it doesn't affect the growth of your sport internationally if one country dominates it.

Have a look at some of the crowds for the last one, some crowds as low as 3000 and a final of 13,000
(Just to say that even a world sport like basketball isn't immune Yi stinker crowds) so we shouldn't beat ourselves up when we get low crowds in minnow matches

 

[Pedge1971]

Hopefully we can match Sydneys outstanding effort at the Weekend!

I hope Perth does. Would be great for the tournament.

 

[expansionist]

Something needs to be done about the ridiculous mismatches. It's not a good look for the game and does nothing to promote it. 74-6, 52-6, 50-6, 58-12 etc.
They need to do something like change the eligibility criteria and encourage players to play for other countries. They could also enter an Indigenous Australian side - that would be another side capable of keeping within 18 points of Australia.
It's gotten to the point that I don't even support the kangaroos, I just support whoever is playing against them.
Anyone agree or feel similarly?

I know what needs to be done: Play more often

 

[Bobby DIGital]

They need to do something like change the eligibility criteria and encourage players to play for other countries.

There's actually more blowouts due to the eligibility rules as they are. Italy certainly wouldn't be whoopin' ass if all their players ate pasta every day.

 

[Stallion]

Inclement weather did not help the game at the SFS last Saturday night. It was really bad luck for organisers! Hopefully a decent roll up this Saturday for the Kangaroos v Lebanon with weather being good. Cross fingers! I suspect large tv audiences for both the Kangaroos game and NZ v Tonga. Btw NZ v Tonga should have been played at a bigger ground with a bigger crowd a certainty.

 

[Front-Rower]

I know what needs to be done: Play more often

Pathways, infrastructure, specialised coaching need to come way before just playing more often. For goodness sake most of these guys who are playing for teams outside of the bigger 3 or 4 teams have skill sets below a reserve grade standard.

 

[Tigers1986]

Ticket prices are a joke - that's what is killing the crowds. $55 to sit near the goalline is obscene for basically a Kangaroos training run. $20 behind the sticks is still a bit steep.

Promote the international game to the kids and make tickets cheaper. Fill the grounds, put on novelty acts and cultural celebrations of the nations involved, you have a winner.

 

[StadiumXIII]

Pathways, infrastructure, specialised coaching need to come way before just playing more often. For goodness sake most of these guys who are playing for teams outside of the bigger 3 or 4 teams have skill sets below a reserve grade standard.

Maybe strengthening the qualifying pathway to the WC!!

Inclement weather did not help the game at the SFS last Saturday night. It was really bad luck for organisers! Hopefully a decent roll up this Saturday for the Kangaroos v Lebanon with weather being good. Cross fingers! I suspect large tv audiences for both the Kangaroos game and NZ v Tonga. Btw NZ v Tonga should have been played at a bigger ground with a bigger crowd a certainty.

TV audiences have been great! rugby league is made for live TV. NZ have been great overall at hosting all their matches!! you would think rugby league is more popular over there then Australia judging by crowd numbers. Looking forward to NZ vs Tonga if not a scare a shock victory!

Ticket prices are a joke - that's what is killing the crowds. $55 to sit near the goalline is obscene for basically a Kangaroos training run. $20 behind the sticks is still a bit steep.

Promote the international game to the kids and make tickets cheaper. Fill the grounds, put on novelty acts and cultural celebrations of the nations involved, you have a winner.

Guess they just wanted to make as much of a profit as they can not considering what fans can really afford. Oh well hoping Queensland can do a better job crowd wise.

 

[Bobby DIGital]

Looking forward to NZ vs Tonga if not a scare a shock victory!.

You can forget about that, cos it aint happening. We're going to hammer them to the floor. NZ by 40-50.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

You can forget about that, cos it aint happening. We're going to hammer them to the floor. NZ by 40-50.

Yeah, I get the feeling that Tonga have poked the bear

 

[Bennyfishel]

Something needs to be done about the ridiculous mismatches. It's not a good look for the game and does nothing to promote it. 74-6, 52-6, 50-6, 58-12 etc.
They need to do something like change the eligibility criteria and encourage players to play for other countries. They could also enter an Indigenous Australian side - that would be another side capable of keeping within 18 points of Australia.
It's gotten to the point that I don't even support the kangaroos, I just support whoever is playing against them.
Anyone agree or feel similarly?

 

[Bennyfishel]

With that kind of attitude you are obviously a BORN LOSER.

 

[Billythekid]

Ticket prices are a joke - that's what is killing the crowds. $55 to sit near the goalline is obscene for basically a Kangaroos training run. $20 behind the sticks is still a bit steep.

Promote the international game to the kids and make tickets cheaper. Fill the grounds, put on novelty acts and cultural celebrations of the nations involved, you have a winner.

It doesn't even make them extra money either. Better off filling the stadium with tickets that cost $20 than having a less than half full stadium. You sell more merchandise, you sell more food and drink and the big crowds encourages people to get to other matches. Why are we gauging fans with expensive tickets? The tournament turned a profit before a ball was kicks supposedly. Now we should be trying to raise the profile of the matches with big crowds.

 

[Joel-22]

With that kind of attitude you are obviously a BORN LOSER.

Yep, that makes LOTS OF SENSE

 

[Joel-22]

Joel must of missed out on hugs as a kid. The WC is a good time to celebrate the great game of Rugby League. Despite the very weak opening and Australia's lame as "We are one nation" crap. I have enjoyed it. The different styles and faces we get to see playing league is awesome or as we say in NZ. Chooooooice or Chur!

You must be a little bitch in real life to go looking for confrontation in an internet forum.

 

[Perth Red]

Big difference in price in perth for main stand $63 or behind stcks $20. I can see the main stand being a bit spartan

 

[Stallion]

Big difference in price in perth for main stand $63 or behind stcks $20. I can see the main stand being a bit spartan

That's another dissapointing example of poorly thought out ticket prices in this tournament!

 

[Tigers1986]

When you see tickets for $55+ you're thinking nosebleeds at the grand final or origin, not a world cup pool match.