General Article
PACIFIC RUGBY LEAGUE FOUR NATIONS - PNG, SAMOA, TONGA, FIJI
Monday 30 Oct 2006 12:58
by Richard Cowley (Reader Submitted Article)
The 2006 Rugby League Gillette Tri-Nations has put International football back on the map in Australia. The hype and media exposure of the Tri Nations has eclipsed any previous Rugby League international series in recent memory. The next three games will be a great build up to the final at Aussie Stadium on the 25th of November.
The 2006 tri-nations are a great buildup to the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. What is going to fill the international void in 2007? The 2007 tour by the New Zealand All Golds is a great start. We have the remaining European qualifying games that will provide the two qualifiers for the RLWC. Last but not least the play offs for the 10th and final spot in the RLWC.
Here lies the opportunity for the Rugby League International Federation to assist in the development of the 2nd tier pacific rugby league nations. Money is one of the main reasons these 2nd tier Pacific Nations struggle to compete with the big three. It is going to take some time to get them to a stage were they can genuinely compete. The RLIF must implement a long-term plan to assist these nations. This may be in terms of assisting these nations with obtaining corporate sponsorship or even TV exposure. The money generated from this will assist in the ongoing development of the local leagues and also assist in strengthening their international teams.
A Pacific Four Nations competition including Pupa New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji would be a great place to start. This would increase the current exposure Rugby League has in these countries. The RLIF can assist with providing prize money for the tournament. This will help in attracting more big name players from the NRL and Super League. These big name players will also increase the media exposure, which will in turn attract more sponsorship dollars for the tournament.
To increase the international appeal of the Pacific Four Nations a shot at the last placed Gillette Tri-Nations team would be up for grabs. Think of the exposure it will give the game internationally! It will also provide more money for the top pacific team. Long term the Pacific Four Nations will be able to stand on its own two feet when the top pacific team starts knocking over the last placed Tri-Nation team.
Fast forward to the 2012 Rugby League World cup. Wouldnt it be great for international rugby league if 10 teams had a genuine chance of winning the world cup? The Rugby League International Federation has the opportunity to make a difference with a long-term plan. They need to start planning now with the lead up to the 2008 RLWC. If they dont implement a long-term plan these 2nd tier teams will have little hope of developing any further. Lets hope the RLIF is not short sighted and have the intelligence to plan long term.
We live in hope!
Richard Cowley
International rugby league observer
PACIFIC RUGBY LEAGUE FOUR NATIONS - PNG, SAMOA, TONGA, FIJI
Monday 30 Oct 2006 12:58
by Richard Cowley (Reader Submitted Article)
The 2006 Rugby League Gillette Tri-Nations has put International football back on the map in Australia. The hype and media exposure of the Tri Nations has eclipsed any previous Rugby League international series in recent memory. The next three games will be a great build up to the final at Aussie Stadium on the 25th of November.
The 2006 tri-nations are a great buildup to the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. What is going to fill the international void in 2007? The 2007 tour by the New Zealand All Golds is a great start. We have the remaining European qualifying games that will provide the two qualifiers for the RLWC. Last but not least the play offs for the 10th and final spot in the RLWC.
Here lies the opportunity for the Rugby League International Federation to assist in the development of the 2nd tier pacific rugby league nations. Money is one of the main reasons these 2nd tier Pacific Nations struggle to compete with the big three. It is going to take some time to get them to a stage were they can genuinely compete. The RLIF must implement a long-term plan to assist these nations. This may be in terms of assisting these nations with obtaining corporate sponsorship or even TV exposure. The money generated from this will assist in the ongoing development of the local leagues and also assist in strengthening their international teams.
A Pacific Four Nations competition including Pupa New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji would be a great place to start. This would increase the current exposure Rugby League has in these countries. The RLIF can assist with providing prize money for the tournament. This will help in attracting more big name players from the NRL and Super League. These big name players will also increase the media exposure, which will in turn attract more sponsorship dollars for the tournament.
To increase the international appeal of the Pacific Four Nations a shot at the last placed Gillette Tri-Nations team would be up for grabs. Think of the exposure it will give the game internationally! It will also provide more money for the top pacific team. Long term the Pacific Four Nations will be able to stand on its own two feet when the top pacific team starts knocking over the last placed Tri-Nation team.
Fast forward to the 2012 Rugby League World cup. Wouldnt it be great for international rugby league if 10 teams had a genuine chance of winning the world cup? The Rugby League International Federation has the opportunity to make a difference with a long-term plan. They need to start planning now with the lead up to the 2008 RLWC. If they dont implement a long-term plan these 2nd tier teams will have little hope of developing any further. Lets hope the RLIF is not short sighted and have the intelligence to plan long term.
We live in hope!
Richard Cowley
International rugby league observer
