Expanding the WCC v The International Game

[MossdaleRhino]

(02-23-2012 08:07 PM)Farmduck Wrote:  

(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.

Yeah that's kind of the point with this debate isn't it. In England, and among supporters here, there's always been a slight suspicion that the visiting Aussie sides don't take the WCC as seriously as the SL side does. I've never really bought into that theory, however, if the Aussie clubs, supporters, and NRL don't support any expansion of the World Club competition, then it isnt going to work is it? There has to be equal enthusiasm for this in both hemispheres or we could well be flogging a dead horse with this debate.

[5point]

The main sticking point is the number of games in a season. The NRL is all for local expansion so that won't get any easier. Would be better for the NRL to go to a US style conference system where you y teams in your own conference twice and the other once. SL could go down similar route if it ever expands further. This would leave room for a proper expanded WCC. There really is no need to play 26, 27 or more games in a competition that will be settled by an end of season four week play off tournament. Can't see this ever happening though as the NRL teams won't give up the TV income. It's shortsighted though as diversity would be better for the coffers in the long run.

I don't buy into the argument that it would detract from the international game - the Aussies don't want a four nations this year anyway.

[rhinos4life]

maybe have nrl p1 vs sl p1
nrl p2 vs sl p2
nrl p3 vs sl p3

best of 3. one more match for each cluub. 3 great games.

[Ryan H 23]

If the wcc was to be expanded I'd quite like to see the format of:

Superleague champions vs NRL champions

Challenge cup winners vs Toyota cup (or whatever it's called now) winners

Have it as straight knock out so then you are only adding 1 extra game to the series.

[Euro]

Toyota Cup is for U20's only. NRL teams can only win one domestic trophy.

It should be after the GF. Over 3 weekends. 4 from the NRL, 4 from SL. QF, SF, Final.

Wk 1 - GF winners v Seed 4 from Oz(last yr, that would have bn the Broncos)
GF runners-up v Seed 3 etc...

Wk 2 - Semis, yes I know you could end up with a situation where all the Aussies win, but tough, that's where marketing and a few free tickets to companies come in. Would you go and watch the mighty Storm v Warringah-Manly at say Headingley, of course loads should go. But would you go?

Oh, and 2 refs.

[Ryan H 23]

Fair enough my mistake I thought the Toyota cup was the Aussie equivalent of the challenge cup.

I'd go to watch 2 nrl teams play yeah, because I wouldn't normally get the opportunity to see what the NRL has to offer