International Pacific Championship

[Fonzie]

Its a damn shame- I used to love the great britain tours- the 1990 series in nz was my favorite league series ever- every game was super close with nz piping u in the third test care of a hugh mcgahn masterclass in chch.
Freeman and goulding going at it none stop.. great days (omg im starting to sound like bruce) Its true though- the game just seemed bigger back then.
We always talk about growing the game and england is such a massive market- 60 million people? twice nz, aust and all the islands put together and they already have an established professional comp and theyre coming off the back of a successful series against tonga- its the obvious market to target- meanwhile we're playing games in vegas...
Until the game starts looking at the bigger picture the australian trial will always be the pinnacle of this sport unfortunately.

Vegas has one advantage over England - it isn’t already controlled by English rugby league administrators

 

[Defence]

Vegas has one advantage over England - it isn’t already controlled by English rugby league administrators

England has multiple advantages over veags- the main one being realistic potential to grow the game.

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

The Southern Hemisphere is now doing to England what England has done to France and other NH nations for ages - not bothering to play them because there’s no money in it worth the bother.

England made their own bed by failing to develop NH opposition, and failing to create financially compelling conditions for teams to tour.

A bit unfair. British RL was hamstrung for 100 years by rugby union and the fall out from 1895, never forgave us and many still haven’t . French clubs even had their assets seized and were closed down by the collaborator Vichy government during the war. We’d have had a better chance if the Welsh had grown a backbone and joined northern union, some class of people with the same issues as northern union.

The game grew faster and took over in Australia because of the absence of the British class system and the amateurism nonsense.

It’s not been for the want of trying

 

[Fonzie]

A bit unfair. British RL was hamstrung for 100 years by rugby union and the fall out from 1895, never forgave us and many still haven’t . French clubs even had their assets seized and were closed down by the collaborator Vichy government during the war. We’d have had a better chance if the Welsh had grown a backbone and joined northern union, some class of people with the same issues as northern union.

The game grew faster and took over in Australia because of the absence of the British class system and the amateurism nonsense.

It’s not been for the want of trying

All of this is true, but the fact remains that this outcome was not inevitable in 1995, when the game was relatively well placed.

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

All of this is true, but the fact remains that this outcome was not inevitable in 1995, when the game was relatively well placed.

There’s still time. Professional rahrah is struggling, clubs are going bust. Probably because it’s about as interesting as watching paint dry.

Difficult to grow the international game when your only rival is France though

 

[Defence]

All of this is true, but the fact remains that this outcome was not inevitable in 1995, when the game was relatively well placed.

I wonder what would've happened if union didn't go professional when it did. In frank bunce and walter littles book they said that the whole all black backline was set to play in the nrl in 1996 if that hadn't happened.

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

I wonder what would've happened if union didn't go professional when it did. In frank bunce and walter littles book they said that the whole all black backline was set to play in the nrl in 1996 if that hadn't happened.

The strongest Welsh league team I can remember was leading up to and in the 1995 World Cup. Once rahrah went pro they all went back, resulting in the strongest Lions team there had been for decades

 

[Defence]

The strongest Welsh league team I can remember was leading up to and in the 1995 World Cup. Once rahrah went pro they all went back, resulting in the strongest Lions team there had been for decades

Yeah I believe they made the semis of the world cup that year? jonathon davies etc... seemed they were on the up.

 

[Zaggo]

Based on recent performances I'd say England is in a tricky spot. Way too good for the likes of PNG or Fiji (and as we saw, way too good for Tonga), but likely a tier below the Kiwis and Roos.

I'd like to see NZ tour England as I think it would help grow the game, but more important in the short term is getting good quality games in NZ. It should never be years between NZ/AU games here.

 

[SBW1]

Toa not really upto a three game series in England I am afraid. Tonga probably would have beaten Toa had they played this year. Keep playing Pacific nations and the odd test against Oz and us. They will need a new coach, and a few players jump ship from Oz and possibly NZ. With the moment the Kiwis have you would be mad to not be on the bandwagon.

 

[Fonzie]

There’s still time. Professional rahrah is struggling, clubs are going bust. Probably because it’s about as interesting as watching paint dry.

Difficult to grow the international game when your only rival is France though

What time do you think there is, and what do you think they can do with that time? The game is effectively semi-pro, with no reserves to invest in future growth. Blow it up and start again.

 

[Worried2Death]

Samoa opt to play in this competition instead of tour England. An opportunity missed imho

RFL 'exploring options' after Samoa turn down tour of England in 2024​

Last updated on 4 hours ago4 hours ago.From the section Rugby League

The RFL has said they will update fans when there are "positive developments"
The Rugby Football League says it is "exploring all options" after Samoa turned down its invite for a three-match series in England next autumn.
It means England currently have no international fixtures scheduled for 2024.
Samoa instead intend to compete in the 2024 edition of the Pacific Shield alongside the likes of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
RFL chair Simon Johnson said the decision was "disappointing".

"We can't afford to dwell on it. They have made their decision," he said.
"We now owe it to Shaun Wane and the players, and to England supporters, to deliver meaningful international rugby league in 2024, and we are working with RL Commercial and [governing body] the IRL to make that happen.
"We'll make further announcements as soon as there are any positive developments."
England won their series 3-0 against Tonga, which was held in October and November in St Helens, Huddersfield and Leeds.
Both England's men's and women's teams will tour Australia in 2025.
New Zealand and Australia have also agreed to visit England in consecutive years after the 2026 World Cup.

That's a blow for northern hemisphere league
My dream solution would be a 3 test NZ v GB Lions series during State of Origin since neither of us are invited to that, played home & away alternate years.
NRL godfathers would never allow it but fuck em let's do it lads, it's time to rise up against our aussie overlords.

 

[Defence]

That's a blow for northern hemeisphere league
My dream solution would be a 3 test NZ v GB Lions series during State of Origin since neither of us are invited to that. Play it home & away alternate years.
NRL godfathers would never allow it but fuck em let's do it lads, it's time to rise up against our aussie overlords.

Hell yeah- love this- power to the people.

 

[Worried2Death]

Hell yeah- love this- power to the people.

View attachment 4364

We love you people's poet

 

[Tragic]

A lot of Ricks on here, all with silent P's.

 

[WahsaurusRex]

Golden Boot Nominees

Australia:
Harry Grant
Payne Haas
Cameron Murray
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Cook Islands:
Esan Marsters

England:
Matty Ashton
John Bateman
Mikey Lewis
Harry Smith

Fiji:
Jahream Bula
Tui Kamikamica

New Zealand:
James Fisher-Harris
Jahrome Hughes
Ronaldo Mulitalo
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Joesph Tapine

Papua New Guinea:
Edwin Ipape
Lachlan Lam

Samoa:
Su’a Faalogo

Tonga:
Addin Fonua-Blake

What’s the point in having “nominees” if you are going to put that many names out there for one award

 

[jonesy101]

Hope we don't lose Madge after this years effort.

Maguire on the chopping block over Blues Origin gig as Kiwis push revealed

Maguire on the chopping block over Blues Origin gig as Kiwis push revealed

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[juju]

Hope we don't lose Madge after this years effort.

Maguire on the chopping block over Blues Origin gig as Kiwis push revealed

Maguire on the chopping block over Blues Origin gig as Kiwis push revealed

www.foxsports.com.au

Surely would be a step backwards after how united the team seemed this campaign.

Hopefully the current players or Stacey hold some sway.

 

[Inruin]

Hope we don't lose Madge after this years effort.

Maguire on the chopping block over Blues Origin gig as Kiwis push revealed

Maguire on the chopping block over Blues Origin gig as Kiwis push revealed

www.foxsports.com.au

The NZRL would be dumb enough to sack him.

Probably replace him with some idiot too.

 

[jonesy101]

What’s the point in having “nominees” if you are going to put that many names out there for one award

Harry Grant should get it for winning us the Pacific Chamionship