Expanding the WCC v The International Game

[MossdaleRhino]

So the current hot topic is the expansion of the WCC after Rhino's great win v Manly, and I listened with interest to all sides of the argument put forward by the guys on Boots n All last night, especially Stevo's fear that it would erode the International game. So I got to thinking, why not hold Four Nations Tournaments and an expanded World Club Tournament, bi-annually, in alternate years. The Four Nations would run as it does now, with the bi-annual World Club being contested by four teams, they being the winning and losing sides from each respective GF here and in the NRL.
The tournament could be held as a round-robin tournament, with each round of games being held as double-headers to keep supporters interested. Hold it over three weeks in the same period when the Four Nations is usually played, and the World Club Champions would be crowned after the final game when the final group table is decided.
So each of the Tournaments could run side by side, in alternate years, and in that system the expanded World Club tournament could not be accused of eroding the honour of International Rugby League, as Stevo's argument last night was suggesting.
So in year 1 you would have a Four Nations, Year 2 Expanded World Club, year 3 back to the Four Nations and so on..... Thoughts guys?

[eddington]

Why 4 teams in the WCC?
Yet again we are diluting tournaments.
I want a proper test series v the Aussies win or lose.

[MossdaleRhino]

I would also add to my blueprint above, in non Four Nations years, that England RL could still have an International programme at full and Knights level some time during the season. As for an Ashes series against the Aussies, yes I loved those too, but I just can't see us going down that road again. My perception now is that the powers that be see far more value in international club games, hence the calls for an expansion of the World Club tournament.

[Rhinomike1958]

Mossdale Rhino,

I never considered such an idea but I am very impressed. The idea of a round robin of double headers sounds fabulous. I fully support such an idea.The 4 teams you specified playing each other over weeks 1, 2 & 3. Great format and should generate much interest. Initially play the games in the UK and once the format is established, potentially take it down under on a rota basis. I wonder if such an option has been considered by the powers that be. Great idea.

Best Wishes,

Rhinomike 1958

(02-23-2012 05:55 AM)MossdaleRhino Wrote:  So the current hot topic is the expansion of the WCC after Rhino's great win v Manly, and I listened with interest to all sides of the argument put forward by the guys on Boots n All last night, especially Stevo's fear that it would erode the International game. So I got to thinking, why not hold Four Nations Tournaments and an expanded World Club Tournament, bi-annually, in alternate years. The Four Nations would run as it does now, with the bi-annual World Club being contested by four teams, they being the winning and losing sides from each respective GF here and in the NRL.
The tournament could be held as a round-robin tournament, with each round of games being held as double-headers to keep supporters interested. Hold it over three weeks in the same period when the Four Nations is usually played, and the World Club Champions would be crowned after the final game when the final group table is decided.
So each of the Tournaments could run side by side, in alternate years, and in that system the expanded World Club tournament could not be accused of eroding the honour of International Rugby League, as Stevo's argument last night was suggesting.
So in year 1 you would have a Four Nations, Year 2 Expanded World Club, year 3 back to the Four Nations and so on..... Thoughts guys?

[Yetti]

I like your idea Mossdale but you are immediatley erdoing the international game by only having the four nations every two years, instead of every year. What about world cup? what if that fails on a world club challenge year, how would you accomdate that?

I'm not an anti expansion by any means and I think the idea of expanding the concept has legs, it's how we integrate it all.

[LeedsBarmyArmy]

Thought it was a good discussion on Boots n All, Hetherington had a dig at Steve-o and he was not happy about it haha!

[The Swede]

I think, again, like Wolfie's saying, there are too many ideas in league that are good in principle. For our best four (hypothetically Wigan, Warrington, Saints, Leeds) to take on their best four (hypothetically Manly, Melbourne, Wests and the Warriors) (maybe) would be an absolutely fantastic competition and a very interesting gauge of how far we are behind or, at the same score, how close we genuinely are to the NRL. Indeed, a bi-annual tournament could well be a good and useful alternative to an international schedule.

However, firstly will this completely forsake the international schedule? Will this more than provide an alternative to, rather replace the international game? If so, I don't agree with it at all; although that is just a possible upshot, rather than what's actually being suggested. Secondly, where do you fit it in? 8 teams means more games, more games means more dates, so the scheduling is a problem, whether it replaces an international calendar or not. Thirdly, linking in with the previous point, more games is not a option for the NRL sides for mine, so the overarching issue of convincing them to an expanded World Club Championship is problematic in itself.

As long as it doesn't totally dilute the international game or make it 'second best', I'm all for it. As long as these and other problems can be overcome, then I'm all for it.

[george hotel1895]

It is my believe that International football should take priority over an expanded WCC. For the people in France, they would sooner see France play England than Leeds v Manly.

[Mooooove]

What about the players, they moan now about too many games.
Maybe they will want SL down to 10 teams, 18 games, this will allow them to then play 4 x 4 WCC.

[rhinos4life]

how about:

Game 1 Leeds vs Manly
Game 2 St Helens vs Melbourne
Game 3 Wigan vs Wests
Game 4 Warrington vs Warriors

Game 5 winner game 1 vs winner game 2
Game 6 winner game 3 vs winner game 4

Game 7 looser game 5 vs looser game 6

Game 8 winner game 5 vs winner game 6