2021 RLWC

[Demps]

Hope the French beat the Poms in the final ......

I will be cheering on Doueihi's Lebanon with @Demps when they lift the cup, though if Gildart gets England home I won't be too upset either.

Legend.

I'm just hoping it goes ahead and Lebanon fields a decent team.
A lot of good Lebanese players around.

 

[TillLindemann]

Hope the French beat the Poms in the final ......

I will be cheering on Doueihi's Lebanon with @Demps when they lift the cup, though if Gildart gets England home I won't be too upset either. Because surely if aussie nrl players can't compete aussie no nrl can't either

Can Lebanon supply a team with non Aussies in it? Do Lebanon actually have a comp in Lebanon? When you ask these questions you realize just cancel it for a year.

Australia and NZ won't be fielding teams, but at this stage that does not mean NRL players can't represent other countries though, and the Rugby League Players Association is pushing for just that. Though Lebanon does have a domestic competition, a few of them joined the squad at the last cup, and if more of them got a go this time, even better.

Next year would coincide with the FIFA world cup so would be terrible timing, it would waste all the money that's already been spent for this year (unlike the Olympics international league has very limited funds) and there's no guarantee Australia won't take the same approach then if V'Landys is still in charge.

PS the Wallabies are touring Britain later this year.

 

[frullens]

So disappointed in ARLC with this decision.

World cup is the only money making opportunity for international rugby league.

I really hope that the other nations still play and the NRL players are able to make it to play for their countries and stick it up Australia and NZ.

This is why Australia gets a very bad wrap in the international space, prioritises NRL over international footy.

They could bring in USA and Canada teams to make the 16.
Or create an 'invitational' Australia and NZ team from overseas based players.

Tonga v England in the final would be amazing. Stuff Australia

 

[kiwitiger]

Hope the French beat the Poms in the final ......

I will be cheering on Doueihi's Lebanon with @Demps when they lift the cup, though if Gildart gets England home I won't be too upset either. Because surely if aussie nrl players can't compete aussie no nrl can't either

Can Lebanon supply a team with non Aussies in it? Do Lebanon actually have a comp in Lebanon? When you ask these questions you realize just cancel it for a year.

Australia and NZ won't be fielding teams, but at this stage that does not mean NRL players can't represent other countries though, and the Rugby League Players Association is pushing for just that. Though Lebanon does have a domestic competition, a few of them joined the squad at the last cup, and if more of them got a go this time, even better.

Next year would coincide with the FIFA world cup so would be terrible timing, it would waste all the money that's already been spent for this year (unlike the Olympics international league has very limited funds) and there's no guarantee Australia won't take the same approach then if V'Landys is still in charge.

PS the Wallabies are touring Britain later this year.

Good point about the football world cup didn't think of that.
But let's be honest there was no world cup between 2000 and 2008 or 1977 and 1988 so it's no real biggie on the rl calendar. Is not really been ever seen ad that important.

 

[TillLindemann]

So disappointed in ARLC with this decision.

World cup is the only money making opportunity for international rugby league.

I really hope that the other nations still play and the NRL players are able to make it to play for their countries and stick it up Australia and NZ.

This is why Australia gets a very bad wrap in the international space, prioritises NRL over international footy.

They could bring in USA and Canada teams to make the 16.
Or create an 'invitational' Australia and NZ team from overseas based players.

Tonga v England in the final would be amazing. Stuff Australia

I hope Serbia gets a call up too. They only just missed out in the qualifiers, and they are one of the 'good guys' of international league in that they are really developing their domestic comp and used almost exclusively domestic players in the qualifiers - against teams like Greece and Italy stacked full of Australians.

Famous club Red Star Belgrade wants to eventually get a league team in Super League.

 

[hobbo1]

Hope the French beat the Poms in the final ......

I will be cheering on Doueihi's Lebanon with @Demps when they lift the cup, though if Gildart gets England home I won't be too upset either.

Legend.

I'm just hoping it goes ahead and Lebanon fields a decent team.
A lot of good Lebanese players around.

The Eastwood international ?

 

[frullens]

So disappointed in ARLC with this decision.

World cup is the only money making opportunity for international rugby league.

I really hope that the other nations still play and the NRL players are able to make it to play for their countries and stick it up Australia and NZ.

This is why Australia gets a very bad wrap in the international space, prioritises NRL over international footy.

They could bring in USA and Canada teams to make the 16.
Or create an 'invitational' Australia and NZ team from overseas based players.

Tonga v England in the final would be amazing. Stuff Australia

I hope Serbia gets a call up too. They only just missed out in the qualifiers, and they are one of the 'good guys' of international league in that they are really developing their domestic comp and used almost exclusively domestic players in the qualifiers - against teams like Greece and Italy stacked full of Australians.

Famous club Red Star Belgrade wants to eventually get a league team in Super League.

Yes great call!

Serbia are doing great things with the Bulgaria Super League and should definitely be in.

 

[TillLindemann]

From the BBC:

**Rugby League World Cup: Players' union criticises Australia and New Zealand withdrawal**

Players were not consulted before Australia and New Zealand withdrew from the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, a director of the Rugby League Players' Association (RLPA) has said.

The competition is scheduled to be held in England in October and November, but Australia and New Zealand have pulled out, citing "player welfare and safety concerns" related to Covid-19.

"I was thoroughly disappointed [with the decision]," said Christian Welch, a Melbourne Storm and Queensland prop forward.

"Having had discussions with players, they were really excited about the opportunity to go to England and participate in the World Cup for their nation.

"They had an understanding of the pretty harsh protocols and quarantine, so it was not going to be the most enjoyable trip compared to pre-Covid times, but the majority of players were really keen to give it a go - that's what's so disappointing.

"We had an RLPA board meeting the day before it was announced and the players were caught off guard as 24 hours later we were told the Kiwis and Australians had pulled out.

"The major reason given was player welfare but the body that represents the majority of players was not consulted."

After the Covid-19 pandemic brought sports leagues around the world to a halt last year, Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) was one of the first to return to action in May 2020.

But Welch felt the NRL should have done more to help the World Cup go ahead.

"The most telling thing is how the NRL was able to come back from Covid and found an amazing way of state border exemptions but it seems the NRL have just wanted to quit on the World Cup," added Welch.

"I feel for the players that would've dearly loved to have played for their country. The game was really taking off a few years ago but this has been unfortunate for the game."

 

[happy_tiger]

From the BBC:

**Rugby League World Cup: Players' union criticises Australia and New Zealand withdrawal**

Players were not consulted before Australia and New Zealand withdrew from the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, a director of the Rugby League Players' Association (RLPA) has said.

The competition is scheduled to be held in England in October and November, but Australia and New Zealand have pulled out, citing "player welfare and safety concerns" related to Covid-19.

"I was thoroughly disappointed [with the decision]," said Christian Welch, a Melbourne Storm and Queensland prop forward.

"Having had discussions with players, they were really excited about the opportunity to go to England and participate in the World Cup for their nation.

"They had an understanding of the pretty harsh protocols and quarantine, so it was not going to be the most enjoyable trip compared to pre-Covid times, but the majority of players were really keen to give it a go - that's what's so disappointing.

"We had an RLPA board meeting the day before it was announced and the players were caught off guard as 24 hours later we were told the Kiwis and Australians had pulled out.

"The major reason given was player welfare but the body that represents the majority of players was not consulted."

After the Covid-19 pandemic brought sports leagues around the world to a halt last year, Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) was one of the first to return to action in May 2020.

But Welch felt the NRL should have done more to help the World Cup go ahead.

"The most telling thing is how the NRL was able to come back from Covid and found an amazing way of state border exemptions but it seems the NRL have just wanted to quit on the World Cup," added Welch.

"I feel for the players that would've dearly loved to have played for their country. The game was really taking off a few years ago but this has been unfortunate for the game."

Do they RLPA just take the opposite view from the NRL every time

 

[mike]

From the BBC:

**Rugby League World Cup: Players' union criticises Australia and New Zealand withdrawal**

Players were not consulted before Australia and New Zealand withdrew from the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, a director of the Rugby League Players' Association (RLPA) has said.

The competition is scheduled to be held in England in October and November, but Australia and New Zealand have pulled out, citing "player welfare and safety concerns" related to Covid-19.

"I was thoroughly disappointed [with the decision]," said Christian Welch, a Melbourne Storm and Queensland prop forward.

"Having had discussions with players, they were really excited about the opportunity to go to England and participate in the World Cup for their nation.

"They had an understanding of the pretty harsh protocols and quarantine, so it was not going to be the most enjoyable trip compared to pre-Covid times, but the majority of players were really keen to give it a go - that's what's so disappointing.

"We had an RLPA board meeting the day before it was announced and the players were caught off guard as 24 hours later we were told the Kiwis and Australians had pulled out.

"The major reason given was player welfare but the body that represents the majority of players was not consulted."

After the Covid-19 pandemic brought sports leagues around the world to a halt last year, Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) was one of the first to return to action in May 2020.

But Welch felt the NRL should have done more to help the World Cup go ahead.

"The most telling thing is how the NRL was able to come back from Covid and found an amazing way of state border exemptions but it seems the NRL have just wanted to quit on the World Cup," added Welch.

"I feel for the players that would've dearly loved to have played for their country. The game was really taking off a few years ago but this has been unfortunate for the game."

Do they RLPA just take the opposite view from the NRL every time

Seems they got butt hurt they weren’t consulted.

 

[TillLindemann]

From the BBC:

**Rugby League World Cup: Players' union criticises Australia and New Zealand withdrawal**

Players were not consulted before Australia and New Zealand withdrew from the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, a director of the Rugby League Players' Association (RLPA) has said.

The competition is scheduled to be held in England in October and November, but Australia and New Zealand have pulled out, citing "player welfare and safety concerns" related to Covid-19.

"I was thoroughly disappointed [with the decision]," said Christian Welch, a Melbourne Storm and Queensland prop forward.

"Having had discussions with players, they were really excited about the opportunity to go to England and participate in the World Cup for their nation.

"They had an understanding of the pretty harsh protocols and quarantine, so it was not going to be the most enjoyable trip compared to pre-Covid times, but the majority of players were really keen to give it a go - that's what's so disappointing.

"We had an RLPA board meeting the day before it was announced and the players were caught off guard as 24 hours later we were told the Kiwis and Australians had pulled out.

"The major reason given was player welfare but the body that represents the majority of players was not consulted."

After the Covid-19 pandemic brought sports leagues around the world to a halt last year, Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) was one of the first to return to action in May 2020.

But Welch felt the NRL should have done more to help the World Cup go ahead.

"The most telling thing is how the NRL was able to come back from Covid and found an amazing way of state border exemptions but it seems the NRL have just wanted to quit on the World Cup," added Welch.

"I feel for the players that would've dearly loved to have played for their country. The game was really taking off a few years ago but this has been unfortunate for the game."

Do they RLPA just take the opposite view from the NRL every time

If player welfare was the real reason (it wasn't) you would think they might have actually consulted the players.

 

[happy_tiger]

From the BBC:

**Rugby League World Cup: Players' union criticises Australia and New Zealand withdrawal**

Players were not consulted before Australia and New Zealand withdrew from the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, a director of the Rugby League Players' Association (RLPA) has said.

The competition is scheduled to be held in England in October and November, but Australia and New Zealand have pulled out, citing "player welfare and safety concerns" related to Covid-19.

"I was thoroughly disappointed [with the decision]," said Christian Welch, a Melbourne Storm and Queensland prop forward.

"Having had discussions with players, they were really excited about the opportunity to go to England and participate in the World Cup for their nation.

"They had an understanding of the pretty harsh protocols and quarantine, so it was not going to be the most enjoyable trip compared to pre-Covid times, but the majority of players were really keen to give it a go - that's what's so disappointing.

"We had an RLPA board meeting the day before it was announced and the players were caught off guard as 24 hours later we were told the Kiwis and Australians had pulled out.

"The major reason given was player welfare but the body that represents the majority of players was not consulted."

After the Covid-19 pandemic brought sports leagues around the world to a halt last year, Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) was one of the first to return to action in May 2020.

But Welch felt the NRL should have done more to help the World Cup go ahead.

"The most telling thing is how the NRL was able to come back from Covid and found an amazing way of state border exemptions but it seems the NRL have just wanted to quit on the World Cup," added Welch.

"I feel for the players that would've dearly loved to have played for their country. The game was really taking off a few years ago but this has been unfortunate for the game."

Do they RLPA just take the opposite view from the NRL every time

Seems they got butt hurt they weren’t consulted.

And if they made the opposite call ...RLPA just say the opposite .....we don't want another lockdown leaving and coming back ...etc etc

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

If the RLWC goes ahead with out Aus & NZ and an indigenous team and islander team compete I keep hearing something all our mothers use to say to us "it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt"

 

[Demps]


 

[lach4096]

Disappointing... huge step back for international rugby league

 

[Pascoes_barber]

Pissweak, very disappointing.

 

[Merlot]

shut it down,stop the spread of covid,they are not gods

 

[Russell]

Shocking call IMO.

IRL is integral to the game growing and ATM its struggling in England though doing better in other countries like France, Lebanon Greece etc.

Postponing it until next year will have terrible flow on effects. Will be on the same year as a soccer world cup...will get so much less coverage here (im in london right now). Not only that but all the sponsorship deals were done thinking it would have top billing...every game was going to be on BBC free coverage.

Prioritising NRL over IRL yet again...Seriously should have had a slightly shorter 2022 NRL season if lack of off season was that big a problem...

I agree 100%. The attitude that losing 2 weeks of an NRL preseason (for international players only), is too big a sacrifice for a world cup to go ahead is just disgraceful, and so NRL-centric. It is no wonder that the international game struggles when Australia has such an insular approach.

No country has done more to promote and keep international games going than Australia and New Zealand - usually at our cost.

Don't worry about that though - keep putting the boot in.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Disappointing... huge step back for international rugby league

How is it a huge step back?
They moved it by a year if anything it will help the emerging nations more than anything.

 

[TillLindemann]

Shocking call IMO.

IRL is integral to the game growing and ATM its struggling in England though doing better in other countries like France, Lebanon Greece etc.

Postponing it until next year will have terrible flow on effects. Will be on the same year as a soccer world cup...will get so much less coverage here (im in london right now). Not only that but all the sponsorship deals were done thinking it would have top billing...every game was going to be on BBC free coverage.

Prioritising NRL over IRL yet again...Seriously should have had a slightly shorter 2022 NRL season if lack of off season was that big a problem...

I agree 100%. The attitude that losing 2 weeks of an NRL preseason (for international players only), is too big a sacrifice for a world cup to go ahead is just disgraceful, and so NRL-centric. It is no wonder that the international game struggles when Australia has such an insular approach.

No country has done more to promote and keep international games going than Australia and New Zealand - usually at our cost.

Don't worry about that though - keep putting the boot in.

Nonsense.

When the brits tried to resurrect the Great Britain team and do a tour the Southern Hemisphere a couple of years ago (pre covid), Australia said 'nah, not interested, don't come here'.

When a test was going ahead in Denver, NRL clubs took a belligerent approach to players participating.

There's always been pressure on players to choose Origin rather than representing other nations.

If the NRL made any money out of the world cup - the Kangaroos would be there for sure, just like the Wallabies are going to the UK later this year. But as the money generated goes to international league, the NRL couldn't care less.

International league is a huge natural advantage rugby league has over AFL, but the powers that be in Australia do very little to promote it.

And no it is not at the NRL's cost, world cups are funded by IRL, usually on a shoe string budget and begging for government or sponsor funding.