Expanding the WCC v The International Game

[MossdaleRhino]

Some interesting points raised by people, and as for the question of what would happen in World Cup years, well obviously in those years The World Cup would take precedence over any other tournament. One thing I have wondered though, is it's ok us here debating this so much, I wonder if Aussie fans and NRL officials are as enthusiastic for an expanded World Club tournament, because clearly unless both governing bodies get together to debate this we could be talking about it and throwing ideas around for ever more.

[rhinos4life]

(02-23-2012 06:07 PM)MossdaleRhino Wrote:  Some interesting points raised by people, and as for the question of what would happen in World Cup years, well obviously in those years The World Cup would take precedence over any other tournament. One thing I have wondered though, is it's ok us here debating this so much, I wonder if Aussie fans and NRL officials are as enthusiastic for an expanded World Club tournament, because clearly unless both governing bodies get together to debate this we could be talking about it and throwing ideas around for ever more.

it may be better to have the world cup every 3 years, so the same tournament doesnt get called off every time

[eddington]

Do we want to raise the profile of the international game or not?
For me internationals over WCC, whatever the format, every time

[MossdaleRhino]

(02-23-2012 06:28 PM)eddington Wrote:  Do we want to raise the profile of the international game or not?
For me internationals over WCC, whatever the format, every time

I get that point of view, and I don't have a problem with International Rugby League, if that proves to be a preference over a World Club tournament. One thing I would say though, is the more high intensity games our players get the chance to play against the Aussie sides, be it at Club or International level, the standard of our game and sides would surely improve. Is that not the reason that some of our best players go to play in the NRL, to improve themselves and become better players?

[Gateaux]

Getting rid of some/all internationals to play nrl v SL could be seen as a rather narrow minded way forward and certainly won't do a lot to help countries like France (unless Catalan are involved I guess)

[eddington]

(02-23-2012 06:36 PM)MossdaleRhino Wrote:  

(02-23-2012 06:28 PM)eddington Wrote:  Do we want to raise the profile of the international game or not?
For me internationals over WCC, whatever the format, every time

I get that point of view, and I don't have a problem with International Rugby League, if that proves to be a preference over a World Club tournament. One thing I would say though, is the more high intensity games our players get the chance to play against the Aussie sides, be it at Club or International level, the standard of our game and sides would surely improve. Is that not the reason that some of our best players go to play in the NRL, to improve themselves and become better players?

It hasn't improved so far and how will it improve if our best players go to the NRL? We need a smaller SL with more high intensity games - a 40+ margin every week is no good - and better coaching. The WCC is just a distraction.

[HKR AWAY DAYS]

(02-23-2012 06:51 PM)eddington Wrote:  

(02-23-2012 06:36 PM)MossdaleRhino Wrote:  

(02-23-2012 06:28 PM)eddington Wrote:  Do we want to raise the profile of the international game or not?
For me internationals over WCC, whatever the format, every time

I get that point of view, and I don't have a problem with International Rugby League, if that proves to be a preference over a World Club tournament. One thing I would say though, is the more high intensity games our players get the chance to play against the Aussie sides, be it at Club or International level, the standard of our game and sides would surely improve. Is that not the reason that some of our best players go to play in the NRL, to improve themselves and become better players?

We need a smaller SL with more high intensity games - a 40+ margin every week is no good - and better coaching. The WCC is just a distraction.

Last year, 12 of the 14 SL clubs registered 50+ scores against a rival (Warrington had the most and the league's overal total was around 25) before a team in the NRL did - and that was in round 22 of their season!

[MossdaleRhino]

(02-23-2012 06:51 PM)eddington Wrote:  

(02-23-2012 06:36 PM)MossdaleRhino Wrote:  

(02-23-2012 06:28 PM)eddington Wrote:  Do we want to raise the profile of the international game or not?
For me internationals over WCC, whatever the format, every time

I get that point of view, and I don't have a problem with International Rugby League, if that proves to be a preference over a World Club tournament. One thing I would say though, is the more high intensity games our players get the chance to play against the Aussie sides, be it at Club or International level, the standard of our game and sides would surely improve. Is that not the reason that some of our best players go to play in the NRL, to improve themselves and become better players?

It hasn't improved so far and how will it improve if our best players go to the NRL? We need a smaller SL with more high intensity games - a 40+ margin every week is no good - and better coaching. The WCC is just a distraction.

Interesting point of view, and to be fair Jamie Peacock has been saying something similar for quite some time now. But cutting the number of teams in Super League is something that could warrant another debate all of it's own.

[todd13]

here's an idea loads of holes in it i no but just a thought ...how about at the end of the normal season the top four in super league play off against the top four in the nrl and the teams finishing from fifth to eighth also play off one comp in england one in oz alternated each year the winner of the main comp is crowned world club champions the others crowned minor premiers with the four nations to follow it will never happen but just an idea

[Farmduck]

(02-23-2012 06:07 PM)MossdaleRhino Wrote:  I wonder if Aussie fans and NRL officials are as enthusiastic for an expanded World Club tournament, because clearly unless both governing bodies get together to debate this we could be talking about it and throwing ideas around for ever more.

I can't imagine any NRL club wanting it. The last time this happened, in 1997, it took up the middle of the season for tiny crowds and TV interest was so low that Channel 9 started it an hour later each week. By the 4th round it was on after midnight. The simple reality of modern professional sport is that, if the fans don't turn up and the TV audience doesn't watch it, then it doesn't happen.