Listening to the interview with Jon Dutton on Sky, he gave the distinct impression that the competition will go ahead with or without Australia and New Zealand. I think the only thing that will stop it, is if NRL clubs refuse to release players.
Looks like it's postponed until next year according to a report I've just read.
Spelly.
At least it might give some time to sort out next year's operation.
I wonder whether covid will still be around in 2022? The sport is a complete joke, when other Australian/NZ sports seem quite willing to participate abroad this year.
Well we are going to look awful foolish if they pull out again next year and the tournament goes ahead anyway which could have been done this year.
All three of your comments are very interesting, and make a lot of sense, but......
As I've said many times recently, whatever they arrived at, there'd be loud shouts of "Wrong!"
I'm still not sure that the decision is correct, but I 101% accept it, coz I repeat yet again, that Jon Dutton is blameless in this sorry affair!
I'm presuming that our tickets will be held over until the new dates, similar to when Wembley was fan-less last year.
Let's hope that Covid is just a bad memory, by the time it finally kicks off. Fingers crossed!
Spelly.
I am afraid that they have bowed to the strength of the NRL and Sky. I guess any thought of extra Government funding to cover the losses of postponing this event, is unlikely. Maybe the NRL will cover the losses.
I am afraid that they have bowed to the strength of the NRL and Sky. I guess any thought of extra Government funding to cover the losses of postponing this event, is unlikely. Maybe the NRL will cover the losses.
I wonder if all my free tickets will be valid next year or will i be issued new ones.
I'm equally disappointed, and unsurprised by the decision, and to be honest, I'm far from convinced that it'll still go ahead next year, with the word "cancelled" replacing the current "postponed" one.
In my opinion, international football should be at the forefront of our game, but I'm afraid a (very) lot of our Antipodean cousins (and some Brits as well) are of a dissimilar viewpoint.
My mates and I (and I'm sure we're not on our own by a long way) have shelled out a lot of money on tickets, for a comp that might now not even happen!
It was mentioned on the radio this morning, that when (if?) it's held next year, the dates will have to be tweaked, as there'll be an overlap with the soccer equivalent, and stadia which were booked, may not be available in twelve months' time.
It's a huuuuuuge can of worms, but for the umpteenth time, I say that Jon Dutton and Co are guiltless in this very sorry episode!
Spelly.
Apart from NZ and GB/ England,who was the last side to beat the Australian national team ?
Apart from NZ and GB/ England, who was the last side to beat the Australian national team ?
Tonga beat 'em not that long ago.
They've beaten all the "big three" recently-ish.
Could be dark horses if and when the WC is played, and they'd be my second choice to win it after us.
Spelly.
Covid will still be around in 2022. Whether the World Cup goes ahead will largely depend on how it is being handled. I’d like to think vaccination levels/pre infections would make it hard for the virus to spread quickly and that a proper competition can take place in front of full crowds.
Aussies are well behind us re Covid and just where they will be next year nobody knows.
Come to that, as you say MT, just where we and the NHS will be next year nobody knows. Medics are still finding out how Covid works and politicians are looking at what's best for them as usual.
Not good for anyone atm but getting a serious squad together has to be the Vikings priority. Good podcast from James btw regarding this. Good Championship signings v ex SL is the question.
So, the Aussie RL team won't come here. But, the All Blacks and Aussie RU team are in talks to play their 3rd Bledisoe Cup game here later this year!
New dates announced.
The five-week competition will now take place between Saturday, 15 October and Sunday, 19 November 2022, in between the Commonwealth Games and the Fifa Football World Cup.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/58339345