Four Nations leads the way to future success for Rugby League in 2015

It has been a hugely impressive Four Nations tournament. Six out of the seven matches were very competitive from the beginning to end and before the tournament no one would have predicted that. An average of 40 points scored per match and 7 tries per match made for a very entertaining and pulsating tournament. New Zealand throughly deserved their victory and despite the notable absentees I do not think the tournament suffered too much.  I honestly feel that there were plenty of positives to take from the tournament.

Firstly, the performance of the Samoan team was incredible and I just hope the momentum can be maintained and Australia/New Zealand do not poach their best players. Along with the other Pacific Island nations they need regular International matches to improve and grow the game. There is a fantastic opportunity for Rugby League in the region to really stamp its authority and make itself the game. Rugby Union is not particular strong and there is no doubt that the players are more suited to Rugby League. It is now up to the authorities to create clear pathways and structure for these nations so that they can all develop and close the gap on the top 3. There is no doubt the quality of players that come from the Islands and no reason why these nations can not be a major force in International Rugby League.  I know the NRL have launched their Pacific Islands Strategy and I really hope that this is a success. 

Secondly, I am very happy that New Zealand won the final. They are a quality side who has improved massively over the past 10 years having now won 4 major International tournaments in that time. Also given the fact that Australia did not have a full strength side it would have been awful for the game had they won the tournament. Their interest in the International game would certainly have suffered further and led to further ridicule of its state.  At least now Australia know they need to be at full strength to win international tournaments - something that has not been the case in the past. 

A negative for me was the performance of the England team. Yet again they played the role of the 'nearly men'. It was incredibly frustrating for fans to again see opportunities missed. The loss of Sam Burgess was huge but whether his presence would have changed matters we will never know. For me Steve McNamara is a problem and should be replaced. He is the Steve McClaren of Rugby League. We do have some terrific players like James Graham however other 'stars' like Sam Tomkins were disappointing. I was looking for an improvement in his game after a year in the NRL but I did not see one.  He looks far too light and still vulnerable under the high ball. I do still live in hope that one year I will see England win a major International tournament. 

Another sad sight was some of the crowds however I am aware that some of the matches were played in 'non Rugby League areas' and so it is understandable. Although having said that an average gate of 20,000 per game is 'good' for Rugby League. Hopefully this will also improve in the years to come specifically looking at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. Also the news of a second New Zealand side possibly joining the NRL in 2018 is positive and will spread the game outside of Auckland. 

Going forward I am hoping that the new International calendar from 2018 will be announced soon. This 12 year calendar will hopefully provide a clear structure and schedule that will benefit all nations so we do not find ourselves in a situation where nations go years without a match. This is totally unacceptable and I am praying this will soon be a thing of the past. 

Next year New Zealand are touring England and this is fantastic news. Hopefully we will see three awesome test matches in front of full houses. The sooner the dates and venues are announced the better. I hope they do it early and really market it. The Rugby Union World Cup will be on a similar time so they will need to work overtime to get it noticed nationally. I have little faith they will but one does live in hope. I know the Rugby Union World Cup will be everywhere and more than likely just to rub it in the likes of Kyle Eastmond and Sam Burgess will be poster boys. However the Rugby Union World Cup final is on the 31st of October. Now hopefully the League tests can be scheduled to go into early November. The Super league Grand Final is on October the 10th so at least two/three weeks off before Internationals will mean they should not face direct competition from the Union. 

With regards to other off-season internationals for the emerging nations I am not aware of ANY that are currently scheduled.  This cannot stay this way. 

For example - My idea: 

 -       Scotland should be playing Samoa in a three match series

 -       France should be playing Fiji in a three match test series

 -       Ireland should be playing Tonga in a three match test series 

 -       Wales should be playing Papau New Guinea in a three match test series

and possibly Italy should be playing the Cook Islands in a three match series.

Also they need to think outside the box. I would advocate having Australia go to emerging Canada/USA to help drive interest, similar to New Zealand in the Rugby Union earlier this year going to the USA.  They want a year off - fine - but make them do something positive. Having recently read of Canadian ambitions they would surely welcome such a visit. Also it would be a nice build up for the 2017 World Cup for both USA and Canada who hope to qualify. Just an idea but one that people should be talking about.  

Now ideally the 3 match test series would take place in the European nations however I would not mind them going to Pacific Islands if they are able to accommodate them. 

This I think would be a great off-season International schedule. All of these sides need regular international matches and by playing their southern hemisphere counterparts. I am sure it would make for great viewing. A three match test series could also gather media attention and will have a greater impact than a one off test match. Get the venues right and the ticket prices right and hopefully we can get some very exciting matches played in front of full houses. 

Samoa would have the chance to maintain momentum and to 'go on tour' which is an experience that all ex-internationals be them English, Australian or a New Zealander enjoy. I really think this is a culture that should be endorsed. We saw how good it was in local communities when these sides arrived at the Rugby League World Cup last year.  While there they can visit schools, local clubs etc and help spread the game in Scotland. All of the sides could easily do this in those nations. This would also get media attention. 

Also for Scotland they face a Four Nations in 2016 and need matches and who better to play than Samoa. A side that have just performed so well in the 2014 Four Nations. It also helps to generate local interest a year out from the tournament and gives them a chance to test venues and attract new fans. Scotland will probably be out of the Rugby Union World Cup by then and as long as the tickets are marketed properly and reasonably priced people will come. There is also a real chance for coverage on the Scottish BBC channels. Avenues I hope would be explored.  Honestly this tour would be a win-win for all concerned.

It is a great dream of mine that this will happen despite having little hope it will happen. It is a fantastic chance that can not be allowed to pass. All of the nations will benefit hugely.   

I am also an advocate of a mid-season international break where home nations can play each other. This would need to be worked into the already full schedule but I feel given the restructuring of the League this is a possibility.  

I am positive looking forward for the game in 2015 and beyond. There is no doubt it faces major challenges but for probably the first time in my life the game is going forward. The right questions are being asked and ideas are being offered that will help the game both domestically and internationally. Losing the likes of Sam Burgess, Sonny Bill Williams and Jarred Hayne is tough for the game but the reaction is the key now and I feel that the game is getting stronger every year - maybe not at the rate I would hope but it is improving. Hearing of 7,000 people watching Canada play the USA in Canada is positive for the game. I just hope that countries like Canada who are clearly making huge progress and are very ambitious are helped. I also recently read of their ambition for having a side in Championship 1. Without doubt there is a huge market in that region. It should be explored to the max which for me brings in another issue of TV coverage of NRL / State of Origin and Super League being given to emerging nations to help drive support. Just another idea that needs to be addressed. I want the State of Origin series to be accessible all over the world. What better series to introduce a new audience to then that?  Also having South Africa, a Rugby Union dominated country, interested in hosted a World Cup is great. Their bid came completely out of left-field but should be welcomed. In the long term I would love to see it. Maybe in 2025/2029. The plan should be to award it 8 years in advance so that a serious 8 year strategy can be put into place. I also believe that the revival of GB Lions will come and that will only be positive for the game.  So there is plenty to be positive about despite many in Rugby League only ever wanting to be negative about the future. 

Personally I am going into the new domestic season looking forward to the new league structure and the expanded World Club Series. Just now hoping for an announcement of the post-season Internationals.....but will it come?

Ruthless Australia Reclaim The Rugby League World Cup

Australia win the World Cup for a 10th time

Australia produced a throughly professional and clinical performance as they thrashed New Zealand 34-2 in the Rugby League World Cup final at Old Trafford.

In a near faultless display the Kangaroos eased to their 10th World Cup win. New Zealand just could not compete and on this form it is clear to see why they can be seen as unbeatable.

Tries from Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater (2) and Brett Morris (2) as well as two penalties from Johnathan Thurston completed the scoring.

The match was seen by a record crowd for a Rugby League International of 74,468.

Overall, despite a predictable outcome, the tournament has been a success. There have been some huge positives that I hope the game can build on. More International matches and a clear structure for emerging nations is a must as we head towards the 2017 World Cup. Personally I saw more than enough to suggest that the tournament will get better and better in the years to come.   

The next World Cup is likely to be in Australia and New Zealand, however I hope that they manage to somehow incorporate the pacific islands into the plans. 

My Hopes For The Rugby League World Cup

                             

The Rugby League World Cup is now almost upon us. Squads have been selected, teams have arrived, warm up matches have been played and players have been sent home due to disciplinary issues (in England's case anyway). 

A World Cup which promises so much will start tomorrow will the double header in Cardiff. The overwhelming favourites Australia take on England which I hope will get the tournament off to a flying start. This is followed by Wales against Italy, which will also be an interesting match up. Much is expected of the tournament and hopefully more media coverage and the presence of Sonny Bill Williams means that many more may tune in who would not have before. 

I do believe that this tournament can get people watching and talking about Rugby League, I just hope it is for positive reasons. 

Here are my hopes for the tournament:

1)  Strong England Performance

This is what many in this country will be hoping for as a successful England will drive media coverage and interest in the game. Having spoken to the Rugby Football League (RFL) in the past I know that they see this as a crucial goal if Rugby League is to grow. Essentially Steve McNamara has been building towards this tournament since he got the job. Everything England have done, be it in the Four Nations or matches against the Exiles, has been about preparing for this World Cup. As a result now is the chance to shine. 

England's star man Sam Tomkins eyeing glory 

I have had my reservations about McNamara since he was appointed as he has had no real success before. It reminded me very much of when Steve McClaren was appointed manager of the England football team. He is the main reason I do not think England will win the tournament. I do not believe he is the man to inspire the players or to tactically outwit sides such as Australia and New Zealand. 

With regards to the squad selected I believe that Lunt, Myler, Lomax and Matty Smith can feel hard done by not being in the squad although I was still optimistic about our chances. That was until the last week. The defeat to Italy was a massive shock however this result did not really change my mind but rather the off the field antics that have been so very disappointing. Gareth Hock thrown out of the squad and James Graham not in the squad to face Australia. This is deeply alarming given the task ahead that some players do not seem to respect the rules of the team laid down by McNamara. It is very rare a side with problems in the camp go on to achieve at a major tournament, thinking of France at the football World Cup in South Africa in 2010 and England in the Rugby Union World Cup in 2011. I just hope that they are focused and come out on Saturday and give the Australians and great game.

As an England fan the Burgess brothers should be great to see. I want to see Sam Burgess smashing through the Aussies come Saturday. I am very interested to see how all the NRL based players will perform at this tournament. I do think we have some great players and the likes of NRL bound Sam Tomkins (above) is obviously the main attraction, but others such as Josh Charnley and Kevin Sinfield could be big players here. My concern is in the centres as is an area as we look weak and when you think the Australians have Greg Inglis, it is an area that will be exploited.

Despite this I will obviously be supporting them and hope and praying for an England win.

2)  Packed out Stadiums

The RFL have done a good job with the allocating of stadiums to certain matches. Now I just hope that these stadiums are full. Ticket sales were always a concern but it would seem they have done well. The double header idea and buy one get one half price deals will hopefully attract many people.  England vs Ireland is the only sell-out so far which is a little disappointing but still a great achievement. There is nothing worse than empty stadiums. You need the atmosphere, that is why Australia's World Cup of 2008 was such a success. I do hope that the double header at Wembley and in the Final the attendance is near 80,000 however this would seem a bit much at present.  Hopefully a good start to the tournament will push people to go buy tickets. 

3)  Great Games

Seems a fairly obvious one but it is worth saying. I do think the group phase set up will work in producing interesting, exciting and close matches. It is an idea I can see Rugby Union following very soon. One-sided matches are the last thing people want to see and they benefit no-one. Yes Australia will probably still get 50+ against Fiji and Ireland but the way they have organised it is still correct. The lesser countries will really feel they can win matches and that is good for Italy, Wales, Samoa, Tonga, Scotland and the USA. The last World Cup through up some great matches that did not involve the big 3 - notably Fiji vs Ireland in the semi-final qualifier. I do hope that such matches will be seen again. 

The final is likely to be a combination of New Zealand, Australia and England and as predictable as this maybe that should also be a cracking game and one not be missed. 

4)  Papua New Guinea to do well  

I have always have a soft spot for Papua New Guinea. I do not know what is about them they just seem to carry a feel good factor and overall enjoyment at tournament. In fact this can be said for all of the island countries from Polynesia and Melanesia  such as Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands and Fiji. These are nations that bring real fun to the tournament as well as power, athleticism  and skill. I am sure they will have what appears home support at many of the venues across the England and Wales. 

5)   Anyone but Australia to win 

Duel-Code star Sonny Bill Williams 

For me and for the game itself, the fact that New Zealand won the 2008 tournament was a great achievement. For so long Australia have been so dominant and it was fantastic to see New Zealand win. If England go out, I will be cheering for New Zealand to win over Australia (however would love a Papua New Guinea win it seems unlikely). It will be great for the game and also New Zealand Rugby League. It is a shame that Benji Marshal switched codes however given his performances this season he would have struggled to get in the team. But the inclusion of Sonny Bill Williams (right) is a fantastic piece of news for International Ruby League. He is a world superstar in both codes. He will draw media attention and despite many in the game disliking his arrogance his presence is a good thing. His pre-tournament comments on Rugby League have also gone down very well.  

6) Positive after affect

Whether England win or not I want to see interest in the game both from the public and commercially. I want it to help find the Super League a main sponsor and to improve the downtrodden reputation that many have and pass on about Rugby League by Unionists who have never played nor have a clue what it is like. This is a golden chance to improve its profile but it will need the players, the fans, the BBC and the media as a whole to support it if this is to happen. Everyone must be pulling in the same direction. With the BBC only having a few games it is vital that these are top matches. I just hope that are and they are advertised and commented on in the right way and not in the condescending way it has been in the past. 

Eastmond Heads To Bath As League Continues To Lose Its Stars

Eastmond on his way to bath 

With the recent announcement that Kyle Eastmond is leaving St Helens to join Bath it is a sad day for the game. One of the future stars in Rugby League will have left at the age of 21. He has conquered nothing in Rugby League with no winners medals.

'One that left earlier'
Ashton proved great success in Union

I could understand if he had won everything and wanted a new challenge like Jason Robinson did. I do believe that losing these players at an increasingly early age should worry the RFL. Before it was the older players Robinson, Andy Farrell and Henry Paul but recently Chris Ashton and now Eastmond both in their early 20's. Lee Smith also left and although he came back it is worrying how many good young players are being tempted. Maybe it is the money, Rugby Union has far greater financial power. Maybe its the prospect of playing in competitions such as the Heineken Cup or on the International stage in the Six Nations or in World Cup's in front of 80/90 thousand. League lacks these competitions competitiveness. 

Despite New Zealand's recent triumphs in League, which has been great to see, it is still only them and Australia. England are a far away third and after that you really are struggling. Union is now thought of by the world when people say Rugby. The Rugby Football League (RFL) were slow to react and Union stole a march and the initiative. As a result League has been left behind. The game itself is great  and as a spectacle is second to none. It has a host of famous fans from others sports including the likes of Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney. The newer rules introduced are good e.g. the idea of the 40/20 in 1999. 

Forward thinking- Video Technology 

It move to a summer sport has been a success and it has always been trying to improve e.g one of the first sports to use video technology in 1996, another major success. This has since been copied by Union as well as many other sports. It is a different game to Union as has pace, freedom and constant play. However the people who run Union have got the marketing side right. I know there is an argument for the coverage Union gets over League for many reasons such as background and snobbery however for me the RFL could and should have done more. In Union players have higher profiles due to the marketing and they have spread the game worldwide. Though still true that there is only 9 genuine teams. Although they have developing sides and the game is very strong in France (unlike League) and South Africa where League is non-exsistent. Having been left behind it is very tough for League to compete. The losing of stars also doesn't help. If Sam Tomkins of Wigan was now to leave it would be a disaster. The RFL must act as otherwise the game will go into further decline. It can not survive in England with many of the teams coming from only two counties. 

For too long people in the North of England want the game to be kept in the M62 corridor. They like it as 'their game' that no one really knows about. However this attitude for me must change if the sport is to get national recognition and international success.

Many will argue that it is flattering that other sports come and take the players and that the system of youth development is so good these players will be replaced and the game continued. For example I hear Jonny Lomax is to replace Eastmond. He is another young up and coming star. However despite the fact that I agree with this view I do not think it is healthy for the game. 

I do not really understand Eastmond's decision as he could have achieved so much and I would liked him to have seen the Australian NRL as a bigger challenge then going to Union. Union domestic game is poor as the only care is for the Heineken Cup and so for me the International pull and money may have done it. I wish him all the best however feel it is a mistake that he will later regret.