RL World Cup : Thu Jul 22, 2021 1:37 pm  

Rugby League World Cup: Australia and New Zealand pull out of tournament - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/57925720 Bit rich of Simon Johnson of the RFL to complain that the Aussies & Kiwis are being selfish & parochial. Even if they are looking to protect their own competition seems a very sensible move on their part the way infection is spreading.

Rugby League World Cup: Australia and New Zealand pull out of tournament - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/57925720 Bit rich of Simon Johnson of the RFL to complain that the Aussies & Kiwis are being selfish & parochial. Even if they are looking to protect their own competition seems a very sensible move on their part the way infection is spreading.

Re: RL World Cup : Thu Jul 22, 2021 3:00 pm  

I am sure that the RFL will handle the situation very professionally.

Re: RL World Cup : Thu Jul 22, 2021 3:33 pm  

Thanks Vic, I now feel reassured.

Re: RL World Cup : Thu Jul 22, 2021 4:03 pm  

As others have said on here, Olympic team travelled, the RU Internationals are still going ahead, as is cricket. So yip
It is driven by the NRL clubs and lack of real interest in the international game in RL downunder It was imo inevitable, I don't think there ever was any real intention to take part, the dissapointing thing is the decision has been made so late.
I still think a home nations competition would be a way ahead, doubt it will happen though.

Re: RL World Cup : Thu Jul 22, 2021 4:54 pm  

For once I have to agree with you NB. Australia & by inference NZ don't need a World Cup, as you say they have never been interested in pretending RL is something its not. They do little enough to help PNG, Samoa, Tonga & Fiji other than steal their players.

The organisers should have cancelled it way back in March & at least looked as though they were in control of matters.

With the state of Covid over there, would you be happy to balance your enjoyment against maybe a new variant being taken back. We foolishly allowed the Delta variant in because we were slow to act.

Despite what RFL think, RLWC is not a major event is it? Take the 2 best football teams out of their World Cup you still have a viable WC. Take 2 best teams out of Cricket you still have viable WC. Take 2 best teams out of RU you still have a viable WC but take the 2 best teams out of RL & you have no competition at all.

All you can hope for is they have suitable insurance to mitigate any loses.

Re: RL World Cup : Thu Jul 29, 2021 9:29 am  

So the latest video link announcement this morning to the media, The RL World Cup chances of going ahead are now 50/50, they will speak with players in the next 72 hours, to get their opinions. Whatever decision is made now, a lot of money will be lost Last night the talk was either postponing it or completely cancelling it? but that was not mentioned.

Re: RL World Cup : Thu Jul 29, 2021 10:20 am  

You may be right jaybs but given this is a Small World Cup relying on ticket sales for the majority of its funding plus HMG, there are not a load of high profile sponsors that need to be paid back. You would also expect that insurance would have been taken out to cover postponement & cancellation which should mitigate loses. Yes the premium would be steep but if RL thinks it is a game that warrants a WC, they should be able to cope with that.