Random topic of day, haven't really watched much of the international games that have been on and not much interest in them at all other then avoiding injury to our representatives. How can the nrl make these games mean more ??
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Tonga v Samoa tomorrow will be a good game. Both teams are full of stars. Iongi playing 5/8 is going to be an interesting one to watch.
That will be a good game for sure, but don't really see any stakes behind the game it's like an exhibition? Just no feeling to it
This will be a better game than Australia v Poms, you might not have feelings for it but, i can guarantee Tonga and Samoa will have plenty.
Yes, should be a great game, ionngi at 6 should be interesting
I like the fact that those with Samoan or Tonga'n heritage - also other nations, have players jumping across from Australia The Aussies have enough players to make 2 top line teams.
It makes for stronger opposition and more intrest throughout international league
Even more interesting would be if Iongi carves up at 6, another chapter to our 5/8 dilema.
The AustralianRugby League Commission (ARL) are in charge of the Australian team and the International Rugby League (IRL)are in charge of the international games, but i get your meaning, the NRL still have a huge say in both organisations via committee members .
First of all, I love international Rugby League, it should be elevated to the pinnacle of representative honours.
First problem i see is that all Countries are not equal, all countries don't have the access to elite players. Look at Brad Takarangi and Tepai Moeroa last week representing the Cook Islands. A lot of countries wouldn't even beat a genuine top 8 NRL team. So it's not considered elite. Let's just take the top 3 or 4 /5 teams. Australia, New Zealand, England, Tonga, Samoa as real international teams.
We need to have a window where these teams can play a series against each other so supporters can get involved in it. Perhaps play this instead of an old 9's comp that used to be played. Perhaps reduce origin to 3 weeks not the current 6 weeks and use those 3 weeks. Which ever way an international window needs to be found to involve the supporters, find some continuity and familiarity with a series each year.
Pay the players, all players a significant amount to make it elite, to strive for, to want to be apart of it.
An advertising budget needs to be huge and funded. Allow sponsers to sponser players that are representing their country. These sponsers get to advertise that they are associated with rep player (blah blah). A constant presence in advertising year round, getting supporters involved and talking about international footy. Making it elite.
" we have a game against England tonight / just after midnight. its being shown on 9 and fox, but i havnt seen any advertising, any highlight reels of past international deeds flooding the advertising, nothing to make it noteworthy or elite in my mind. It's like it's been sent to purgatory and not on any one's radar. Sad really.
Media and reporting needs to lean towards elevating the international games.
Bring back International footy cards for the kids with players in rep jerseys, to be collected, admired and swapped.
'Play the games at times that kids can watch, support and be inspired for the future.
Make the games affordable to attend to get sell out crowds.
Give club land dispensation on the salary cap for injured players that get injured during international duty. ie like for like, Loose a $1mplayer due to injury you get an extra $1m on the salary cap to spend on bringing in new players.
Some of these ideas would surely help.
I think mixing international games in with origin time would be the way to go, if they are actually serious about making the game more global it has to be stronger at the international levels. Maybe stop the comp for 3 weeks and come up with some fixtures to put around origin ? Putting it at the end of the nrl season makes it feel like an afterthought and kind of annoying
I get what you're saying Eli, but I like the fact we get to enjoy some footy games during the off-season. Just like Blue Eel said, it's poor marketing/advertising that's making it feel like an afterthought.
Each club should nominate a nation where they send coaches and help develop talent there.
Also NRL should raid South Africa they have basic skills like pass tackle kick from union nrl offer best talent move to Australia ( SA have high homicide rates ) .5-10 they become real test nation.
I think there should be 3 international tests for Fiji, PNG, Samoa & Tonga (changing who they vs) every year while Origin is on and have a North NZ vs South NZ every year at the same time. This will also fix the Origin elegability as you can't play Origin and then for another Country. Origin is an Australian concept and should stay that way. Imagine playing for Australia but you couldn't play for your state? That makes no sense and now gives these smaller nations regular games together and they don't have to worry about playing Origin as they have their own fixture series.
I think the regular season should stop for 3 weeks mid season while these games are on. Now there is more TV rights available which equals more money available for the game. I think each of the international series should have one game played in one of the countries playing (maybe one in each) to build the game there and the rest played in Australia as that's where the money and crowds will be. Packing out one of those games in each country and one in Australia wouldn't be too hard. North vs South NZ would also likely be similar to Origin here.
More games played every year with more growth in the smaller nations and more money for the game. It's a win, win for all involved. Even the local NRL teams get 3 weeks of recovery mid season, minus those playing in those games but they get moneterilly compensated.