Even if we did attempt to proceed without Australia and New Zealand, what would be the chances of Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, PNG etc making the trip? On the low side probably. And then you would have the need to restructure/redraw and reschedule the competition. Should postpone it now rather than pointlessly dragging it out.
It would be a nonsense for the RLWC21 to go ahead without Australia and New Zealand. I am not surprised at the decision in view of the rising covid cases and the uncertainty of international travel. You would hope that those organising the event had planned for this eventuality.
I think there is no alternative but to cancel the event, but maybe go ahead with some kind of competition involving those who can travel.
I can't see how anyone in the UK can 'guarantee' that it will go ahead even with just local players! Some sort of competition could be accomplished but certainly not a 'World Cup'.
SL clubs are struggling to meet their fixtures as are Championship clubs.
The govt logic of 'wide open today but must have passport next month' is illogical to say the least. Isolation pinging going mad and no sign of lessening.
The sad thing is that nobody here seemed to see that the Aus/NZ isolation policy, from the outset in NZ certainly, could be at odds with the UK approach.
And yet the Wallabies are coming to Wales on October, the NZ cricket team have already been to the UK and the Aussies and NZ are sending athletes to Tokyo for the Olympics ?
Pathetic and cowardly decision
Clare Balding was on BBCBreakfast this morning when the news broke, as President of the RL she was disappointed, and said she thought there should be more talks with Australia and New Zealand to try and get them to come, before calling it off.
International Rugby League is basically sanctioned by the Australian Rugby League board. The World Cup won't happen without them, even if we wanted it to.
First priority is to try and get them to change their mind, find out why their Rugby Union national team can tour the UK at the same time but their RL one can't.
My mate at the Lions has suggested on another thread to delay it till 2023, rather than battle for viewers, attendees, sponsors, et al, with the round ball brigade next year,
Not summat that'd crossed my mind at all till I read it, but in my opinion, there's logic in what he suggests.
Your thoughts please.
Spelly.
Isn't the Union WC in 2023?
Isn’t the Union WC in 2023?
There's always going to be competition for viewers and spectators be it in football, cricket, RU, Tennis or Darts. Laughable for a sport whose fans call it the greatest game.
As was previously said, the NZ Cricketers were here less than two months ago without an issue.
But, seeing the amount of SL postponed matches due to Covid, perhaps they are less than satisfied that the Covid Protocols in RL here are of the same quality as say the ECB......
Covid or no Covid though, no-one is going to convince me that the Australians are genuinely bothered about the International Game.
The Aussies have shafted the game. They dont want players to isolate for 14 days as it will mess up the NRL pre season. We have just held the Euros here, GB Lions are away in South Africa. Really dissapointing when the SL and international game needed it most with all thats gone on. The game over here was already in trouble as it is!
On reflection, if Australia/NZ can't be persuaded to change their minds, the competition should go ahead as scheduled without them. A big idea with this competition was to have the Women's and Wheel Chair competitions integrated into a single event. It would be unfair on participants in those competitions and players from other countries, who are committed to taking part, to miss out because of the selfish motives of the NRL.
There are six fixtures in Round 1 involving Australia/NZ. Maybe to avoid losing these fixtures, an exiles team comprising Australasian players in UK and France could be brought in to play friendly matches on those dates ie not part of the competition.
It could turn out to be a boost for the event, with the publicity that has and will be generated with the withdrawal of Australia and New Zealand; and the organisers standing up and saying we can deliver the event without them. I think it has been mentioned that Australian/NZ players are not happy with the decision being taken without any consultation. This approach may well force the Australian/NZ authorities to change their minds.
It may be less costly to go ahead with possibly a loss in sponsorship and sale of tickets, than to cancel it all together. It may well , however, actually raise the profile of the game.
One game. Together. Let's go for it.
The Aussies have shafted the game. They dont want players to isolate for 14 days as it will mess up the NRL pre season. We have just held the Euros here, GB Lions are away in South Africa. Really dissapointing when the SL and international game needed it most with all thats gone on. The game over here was already in trouble as it is!
This has been the problem for years though. Oz thoughts in this order are;
1 Origin
2 NRL
3 Internationals.
They could probably send over 3 or 4 teams to a W.Cup that would be ultra competitive. Internationals should be the absolute pinnacle in any sport, but it's not due to the lack of quality/intensity around the world. Added to that is the fact that they have all the financial clout and aren't reliant on a World Cup being a success and easy to see why they're not fussed.
To the post above that I believe the Covid protocols are quite strict and a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes at the RFL (Not from the higher ups, but from the day to day staff), but certain teams are clearly just ignoring the guidelines.
On that note fair play to Hull KR for switching at late notice and going over to play Catalans when they didn't have to.
Why not a Northern Hemisphere Cup then?
We can have our own champions and a World playoff whenever it suits. All the wheelchair etc events can take place as planned between those nations that are present.
The Aussies can hold a Southern Hemisphere Cup event if they wish, including the Pacific Nations and NZ whenever the pandemic eases over there.
Nothing to stop it, but lets face it who will care? If you take out (The) 2 of the biggest teams out of the football World Cup for whatever reason it matters less as there are still prob. another 10 good teams.
If you take 2 out of 3 (or 3 out of 4 if you include Fiji) out of it then the comp is a bit of a farce.
Only losers all around here sadly. The game would benefit from a strong International game, as all sports do, but in this case the biggest team just don't care as they're alright Jack with their own domestic comps.
Would be interesting/frightening to see business plans of the relevant organisations that were dependent on having a successful World Cup.