Youth Four Nations

[Didgi]

Would it work? After having the Junior Aussies vs. Junior Kiwis a week or two ago, and with the Australian Schoolboys touring Europe, I think it could.

An under 20s competition that would follow the same format as the real deal, and be played as curtain raisers. The English have their academy sides, and fill the remaining spot, as in the big thing, by having a playoff between several nations' U20s sides. Surely there could be a decent fourth team there somewhere - if not, and I dont want to get too fanciful, there could be a combined U20s islander team, or U20s European team. The winner is crowned the youth world champions, etc. Gives all nations something really worthwhile to play for, puts these youngsters on a bigger stage than the one off junior tests or tours. Some of the young English guys are really good prospects, and I daresay there'd be some superstars in waiting hiding in PNG or France.

 

[jim_57]

France and Wales are competitive with England at junior level and I imagine PNG could put together a decent side.

I really like the idea.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

It would probably be similar to the Four Nations in that the big three would hammer the fourth side, maybe by not quite as much. At under 20s level there are a lot of NRL and SL players who would be able to play and the likes of France or Wales don't have many players at this level in this age group.

It would possibly be more competitive to have an under 18s or even under 16s tournament. France, Wales and especially PNG would be able to field decent sides. The big problem for PNG is that their players get no professional coaching development so while they have good raw talent in the 16 age group they fall away in 18s and 20s because in Australia those players have been part of professional coaching regimes for three or four years. Having said that Australia would still hammer PNG, Wales or France in under 16s and especially in under 18s. The Aussie Schoolboys generally win pretty comfortably when they play France or Wales. But it would still be more worthwhile to have these age groups play because if they are ever going to get up to scratch they need to be scouted by pro clubs. Of course the NRL could help out by giving PNG an NRL side. France could also do with a second club and Wales needs to build its junior base more than anything. It has a few hundred juniors and has already produced some decent young players, even though two of them are now playing for England Academy which defeats the whole purpose of developing them at all.

 

[saddog]

Many posters here seem to believe an NRL team in PNG would solve all their issues. The fact is you can't build an elite level team and club from the top down. What needs to happen is proper development structures are put in place there, adacdemy squads are created, talent identified and exposured to high quality coaching (from Aust guest coaches initially), then have inter-academy matches between major centres. This should lead to the best playing against QLD/NT teams from Connell and Meninga Cups, with the view that they field in these comps within a few years. Then a Q Cup team is implemented to take these kids into senior high level footy, and ultimately if the govtis fair dinkum with funds etc your NRL team looks far more capable of servicing itself with locally developed players with this elite development.

Many of us get excited about what Menzie yere has done in the 4 nations but the realisation is most clubs don't go after anyone that has not been identified by about 15/16. Picking up a 27 year old with plenty of raw talent but lots of flaws is not really an option.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Many posters here seem to believe an NRL team in PNG would solve all their issues. The fact is you can't build an elite level team and club from the top down. What needs to happen is proper development structures are put in place there, adacdemy squads are created, talent identified and exposured to high quality coaching (from Aust guest coaches initially), then have inter-academy matches between major centres. This should lead to the best playing against QLD/NT teams from Connell and Meninga Cups, with the view that they field in these comps within a few years. Then a Q Cup team is implemented to take these kids into senior high level footy, and ultimately if the govtis fair dinkum with funds etc your NRL team looks far more capable of servicing itself with locally developed players with this elite development.

Many of us get excited about what Menzie yere has done in the 4 nations but the realisation is most clubs don't go after anyone that has not been identified by about 15/16. Picking up a 27 year old with plenty of raw talent but lots of flaws is not really an option.

They're already doing it. They're putting under 16s and 18s together and trying to get the best players placed with the Qld NRL clubs for the Meninga and Connell Cups.

 

[Perth Tiger]

The fact is you can't build an elite level team and club from the top down.

The Melbourne Storm says otherwise.

Sure they were late to start any real development and it may not be the ideal way but it shows you can promote development from the top

 

[hutch]

i would prefer a 12 team under 20's world cup held every year. union and soccer hold youth world cups in developing countries every year, and it is a great way for countries to identify their future talent and get players to commit to that country in the future.

 

[Didgi]

Yea, it wouldn't be so much about finding balanced sides as giving the youngsters a stage to shine on. Sure, most would already be contracted to NRL or ESL clubs, but it would potentially unveil a couple of rough diamonds. Take a 19 or 20 year old Welshman, or PNG player, and in two, three years of training they're of a professional level - which in turn boosts their nation team's chances. Can anyone verify what Jim 57 said in that Wales and France are generally on par with England at unders levels?

 

[Evil Homer]

They are not on a par but they are competitive. They usually lose but don't get blown away, the games are normally very close.

 

[roopy]

Under 18s are the go - before they hit the workforce and while kids from minor nations can still sign for NYC teams, and the ESL equivalent.
The Fiji under 18s toured Australia this year and won 3 out of 3 games against sides just below SG Ball (NSWRL under 18s comp) level - and at least one member of the side now has an NYC contract, and a few more will trial before next season (with the Knights when they hold a camp in Fiji).

No club would be interested in a 20 year old from the Islands because they are not NRL ready, but every side in the NRL would send scouts to look at under 18s, and would sign a few on the strength of size and athleticism even if they were ordinary players at that age.

It actually doesn't matter how competitive the comp would be, because it would just be a cattle call for the clubs.

 

[Coastbloke]

Then the Fijians will all start doing a Uate and pracrise 'Waltzing Matilda.....'

Net worth....Nothing.

 

[Coastbloke]

Then the Fijians will all start doing a Uate and pracrise 'Waltzing Matilda.....'

Net worth....Nothing.

 

[roughyedspud]

They are not on a par but they are competitive. They usually lose but don't get blown away, the games are normally very close.

usually depends what england side we send too...

i know in the past at under 16's we've sent the school team that won the schools challenge cup to rep england in comps..

 

[hutch]

Then the Fijians will all start doing a Uate and pracrise 'Waltzing Matilda.....'

Net worth....Nothing.

not that i agree with uates switch at all, its a disgrace, but he has never played rugby league in fiji and only took it up after he moved to australia. you would hope that any players signed from a touring fijian side would stick to fiji in the future!