World Cup

[milton]

Which smaller nation do you think would add the most interent in the world cup besides the 5 already there. Teams like Russia, USA, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Netherlands, Georgia, Serbia etc.

I think the West Indies side would or Jamaica, whatever they would be called. They would be a very interesting team to watch and i hope they make it.

 

[screeny]

Which smaller nation do you think would add the most interent in the world cup besides the 5 already there. Teams like Russia, USA, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Netherlands, Georgia, Serbia etc.

I think the West Indies side would or Jamaica, whatever they would be called. They would be a very interesting team to watch and i hope they make it.

Honestly, the ones who add the mosdt to the tournament, or in other words the ones who'll attract the biggest crowds, so I suppose the islands or Lebanon. And I think the cooks have been doing everything right recently.

 

[dimitri]

Honestly, the ones who add the mosdt to the tournament, or in other words the ones who'll attract the biggest crowds, so I suppose the islands or Lebanon. And I think the cooks have been doing everything right recently.

would have to be lebanon!!!

could add so much to the tournament

and they would sell out - parra or belmore every game - even get decent crowds at sfs or homebush

 

[bowes]

Wales, Ireland, Lebanon, Tonga, Cook Islands

 

[carlnz]

Fiji have always done well to attract crowds, i love their style of play.

I watched them play Tonga in 2004 Pacific Rim and the scores was 30-0 to Tonga after 20 mins. The Fijians just threw their bodies on the line and held the Tongans to a respectable score. I really hope Fiji make the World Cup.

 

[joshreading]

Lebanon is a must (crowds and quality - you have to rememeber they can beat France)

West Indies could actually be a great option - aussies already have a connection through the cricket - if you could get Lara or some well known cricketer to comment on them for ads it would help immensely)

 

[YANTO]

Lebanon is a must (crowds and quality - you have to rememeber they can beat France)

West Indies could actually be a great option - aussies already have a connection through the cricket - if you could get Lara or some well known cricketer to comment on them for ads it would help immensely)

France I think would be a better side than played in the Med Cup.
remember more than half the team stayed in France to run the Aussies close......

 

[screeny]

France I think would be a better side than played in the Med Cup.
remember more than half the team stayed in France to run the Aussies close......

Yanto, take a look at the squad list for 2002. Full, full strength France and that was the biggest massacre of the lot. I wish it weren't so, but to date, and going on recent history, Lebanon are superior to France.

Given France's work and development in the past 12-18 months I would love to see these teams go at it now! It'd be a humdinger, especially considering the scores that undoubtedly need settling! Imagine them in the World Cup group stages, real atmosphere in a cauldron in Australia!

It kind of gives comps like the med Cup a bit of an endorsement as they've gone to contribute something towards int'l RL's traditions and sparse history (in recent times).

 

[hutch]

i would prefer to watch a team such as france playing the game the way they have been brought up playng it in france, then a team such as lebanon playing the way they have been brought up playing it in australia. france or russia for me!

 

[screeny]

i would prefer to watch a team such as france playing the game the way they have been brought up playng it in france, then a team such as lebanon playing the way they have been brought up playing it in australia. france or russia for me!

I totally agree, but we cannot debate the fact that Lebanon, possibly above any other nation outside Australia and NZ, will attract the most number of spectators in Sydney, and that's just good news for the tournament and int'l RL.

 

[Sharkie™]

the USA, after they took it to Australia in the liberty bell cup (eventually to be run down), id like to see how they have progressed and learnt from that game.

 

[Sharkie™]

have any teams been decided as being dffinent besides the obvious such as Australia and NZ...
what is the process for teams to be included into the cup????

 

[Mr_Ugly]

have any teams been decided as being dffinent besides the obvious such as Australia and NZ...
what is the process for teams to be included into the cup????

Not sure what you mean. If you are asking who automatically qualifies, it has been well publicised that England, France, Aust, NZ and PNG are already in. Qualifying details for the rest will be released in March, everything going according to plan.

Of the 5 places left, 2 and a 1/2 of these are rumoured to be going to European teams. One would think that there would probably be a couple going to the Pacific Island nations, leaving 1/2 a spot for everyone else (i.e. best of the rest vs 3rd place European qualifier).

Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[screeny]

well, it hasn't even definitely been decided it's a 10-team tournament has it, just officials stating that is was the more likely option, which just about shows what stage we're at.

When was the 2008 WC announced, again? Was it in 2003?

February is the month where all should be revealed.

 

[Mr_Ugly]

The decision for a 10 team comp was made at the last RLIF meeting at the end of the Tri-nations series. As such, I understood that was it, and they are now just working on details such as organising qualifiers.

 

[Sharkie™]

k that clears it up thanks, now i have a better under standing of what to expect...

 

[bowes]

Not sure what you mean. If you are asking who automatically qualifies, it has been well publicised that England, France, Aust, NZ and PNG are already in. Qualifying details for the rest will be released in March, everything going according to plan.

Of the 5 places left, 2 and a 1/2 of these are rumoured to be going to European teams. One would think that there would probably be a couple going to the Pacific Island nations, leaving 1/2 a spot for everyone else (i.e. best of the rest vs 3rd place European qualifier).

Anyone else have any ideas?

Europe's done as 2 rounds with the winner of a B comp entering the main qualifiers done over 2006/2007 so teams play each other twice. Not sure how many teams in the final round.

There's an Atlantic Cup of USA, West Indies and South Africa (possibly Argentina) where the winner gets a playoff (I hope as opposed to automatic qualification). And a Pacific qualifier of Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Cook Islands (they might try to get Japan in as well), although I've heard rumours of 3rd getting a playoff. Don't know if this means a 3-way playoff, or if Europe gets the playoff or Pacific does. I'm not sure they're 100% decided yet, but I think thye know just aren't releasing details til Feb or March when they know which teams are taking part.

 

[jvujosevic]

World Cup (March 2008) - format still to be confirmed by RLIF

- 10 teams – Group of 4 + 2 groups of 3
- New Zealand, Australia, France and England, PNG will automatically be in the WC.
- 2/3 slots open to European teams in addition to England and France.

2006

31st January – Nations require to be registered with RLEF for Euro Nations Cup B (beginning of World Cup qualifying)

April – June – European Nation Cup B

Oct/Nov – World Cup qualifying – Scotland, Ireland, Wales + 2/3 qualifiers from Euro Nations B

All 4/5/6 teams to play each other home or away over 2006 and 2007

(For Nations not ready to take part in Euro Nations Cup B, other opportunities will be explored for Development Internationals)

2007

Euro Nations B will run for all other nations not involved in World Cup process.

(For Nations not ready to take part in Euro Nations Cup B, other opportunities will be explored for Development Internationals).

Oct /Nov - World Cup qualifying continuation from 2006

Top 2 in qualifying group to go forward to World Cup
Third place to automatically qualify or may have play off game with USA/South Africa etc( dependant on RLIF final decision on hemisphere allocation)

Summary

This would provide a pathway for all teams to get to the World Cup, starting with 2006 Euro Nations B.

A number of years for qualifying will help to identify those countries, who are capable of sustainable efforts and can build a legacy from World Cup participation beyond 2008.

A central criteria for competing countries, is the “domestic” players utilised in the games.

Proposed “domestic” scale
2006 - 6 out of 20 man squad.
2007 - 6 out of 20 man squad.
2008 - 6 out of World Cup squad.

 

[Mr_Ugly]

Oct/Nov - World Cup qualifying - Scotland, Ireland, Wales + 2/3 qualifiers from Euro Nations B

Wow! Thanks for the info James -- you're a deadset legend!

BTW, should that read Scotland, Ireland, Wales and RUSSIA???

 

[Mr_Ugly]

With the ENC now being a World Cup qualifying competition and France already admitted to the WC, does this mean they are going to pull out of the ENC?

If so, what are they going to do for competition in the interim (particularly with the Tri-nations in the Southern Hemisphere for the next couple of years)?

With Eng / Aus / NZ playing Tri nations, and everyone else having to play qualifying matches, it is really important that France and PNG get in some meaningful competition between now and March 2008!