Is this an NRL decision? If so, will the likes of Josh Hodgson be "allowed" to come here?
I'm far from surprised at what they've said, but still bitterly disappointed, that there'll be (at best) a diluted World Cup, and summat that's cost my mates and I a lot of money!!
As was posted earlier, international football is not top of the NRL's priorities, so I would suggest that V'landis and his merry men will lose precious little sleep over what they've declared!
There's no perfect solution here, but what is the least imperfect? I wish I knew!
Spelly.
They don't want to come, full stop.Nothing to do with covid.
The old saying that 'an ill wind.....' and just wonder would we have had as much mention of RL on good old BBC if there had been no issue?
Do you not think that it could be a better World Cup, with the lesser teams having a greater chance of progressing to the later stages? If England do win it, my guess is that it will only be the rugby league community that will see it as a hollow victory. We do seem quite good at running our own game down- although the RFL are quite good at it too!!! A victory would be reported in the "non-rl" news as "England win RL World Cup". The history books would show England as World Champions. There is also the women's and wheel-chair competitions that will give added publicity.
On radio Merseyside tonight, John Lawless was saying it shouldn’t go ahead now, but also, it might be hard to play it next year., not only is it the football World Cup at the same time, and the BBC might not cover the competition in as much detail as they were going to this year, but a lot of the stadium’s they were going to play at, won’t be available next year, as they have to be booked years in advance.
Moving it on a bit, if.........
YOU were Jon Dutton, and YOU were asked "Should RLWC21 go ahead as scheduled?" What would YOUR answer be?
I am still hugely undecided, so can you convince me either way please?
Spelly.
I understand that the NRL have an independent Commission that runs their game, negotiates TV deal etc, in other words looks after the money and business side. Much, I suspect, like some wanted us to hand our game over to when we are trying to negotiate with TV companies.
From the news that we have the Commission has said that they are focused on being ready for next season rather than the World cup.
John Wells made the point that the Aussie players have a very strong players Union. The Union's response might change things.
Sad news indeed, but if the decision is made to play the comp, there would still be time for AUs and NZ to change their minds given the reported players response.
if not USA have already put themselves forward to take one place, and maybe an ANZAC team from British based players
unknown as to how much cash would be lost if rearranged or cancelled
Maybe too much of a challenge but looking at the way that RU handle the 'local' European competitions, Six Nations etc, some of them are not truly competitive but serve to give many players a shot at international competition. Their games always seem to be well supported.
There is an opportunity for Championship players to be given a leg up, maybe by expanding the eligibility for Ireland, Scotland etc. The games would be competitive simply because of the opportunity.
Compared to a true World Cup it maybe second best but better than just giving up surely?
I think it will shock Australia if the RLWC21 goes ahead without them. They clearly want it cancelled. Whoever wins it will be in the history books as World Champions, with little reference to the Aussies wimping out.
It will give the "lesser" teams more to play for and will perhaps make for more competitive matches.
Cancelling the competition would be a PR disaster for RL in this country, whilst going ahead with the women's, men's and wheelchair competition will get more publicity and may even raise the profile of RL.
I wouldn't be surprised if a U turn was made.I don't think they envisaged the reaction to this.
I wouldn’t be surprised if a U turn was made.I don’t think they envisaged the reaction to this.
totally agree sinbad, think they should push on regardless and await the response from the NRL. - sorry the AUs and NZ RFL
If the NRL decides to play hard-ball and won’t release any players who play for their country, that’s got to be the kiss of death to the tournament
There's a piece on the BBC's RL 'site today, and whilst it (still) doesn't say yay or nay, from reading between the lines, the cynic in me says it's not gonna happen this year.
Have a read of it please, and let me know if you (dis)agree.
Thank you.
Spelly.
There’s a piece on the BBC’s RL ‘site today, and whilst it (still) doesn’t say yay or nay, from reading between the lines, the cynic in me says it’s not gonna happen this year. Have a read of it please, and let me know if you (dis)agree. Thank you. Spelly.
There’s a piece on the BBC’s RL ‘site today, and whilst it (still) doesn’t say yay or nay, from reading between the lines, the cynic in me says it’s not gonna happen this year. Have a read of it please, and let me know if you (dis)agree. Thank you. Spelly.
Quite ambiguous really. I think are relying on player pressure to encourage the Australian.NZ governing bodies to change their minds. My guess is that it will go ahead with or without the Australian.NZ teams.