Tuesday, 20 November 2018

Global RL International Groupings Suggestion


One thing RL does really well is an inconsistency with international matches. Even the World Cup has been played at variable gaps between tournaments with the numbers participating and format inconsistent as well. One thing I'd like to see is a grouping system introduced, played each year in the middle of the season for two weeks. This would give domestic competitions a break and add some variety to the season.

Europe: This would include the Middle East and Africa until they are able to field more nations. There would be eight groups of three sides. By far the largest region for the number of nations.

Pacific: Two groups of three and one of four. Certainly some interesting match ups here.

Americas: Three groups of three. Impossible to do even a few years ago but with new nations arriving, something like this would add incentive to progress, with yearly matches guaranteed.

Asia: The smallest region with a solitary group of four. Tremendous potential for more countries to join when something like this provides opportunities to have regular international games.

The list below shows how it could be structured. It would involve two games per nation or three in the case of a four team group. The ranking is based on what was presented in June 2018 by the RLIF, to show how it could be done.


Europe
Pacific

Group One Group One

1 England 1 Australia

2 Scotland 2 New Zealand

3 France 3 Tonga

Group Two Group Two

4 Lebanon 4 Fiji

5 Ireland 5 Samoa

6 Wales 6 PNG

Group Three Group Three

7 Italy 7 Cook Is

8 Serbia 8 Niue

9 Malta 9 Vanuatu

Group Four 10 Solomon Is

10 Norway Americas

11 Russia Group One

12 Hungary 1 USA

Group Five 2 Jamaica

13 Spain 3 Canada

14 Belgium Group Two

15 Czech Rep 4 Chile

Group Six 5 El Salvador

16 Ukraine 6 Argentina

17 Greece Group Three

18 Netherlands 7 Colombia

Group Seven 8 Brazil

19 Sweden 9 Uruguay

20 Germany Asia

21 South Africa Group One

Group Eight 1 Philippines

22 Denmark 2 Thailand

23 Bulgaria 3 Japan

24 Latvia 4 Hong Kong

1) Will it happen? Unlikely. However, dreams are free.

2) Will media want a break in professional competitions for this? No, but maybe its time RL told the media what's on offer rather than being told what they can or cannot do.

3) Do the nations want it? Most will but will but a few may complain it cannot be fitted in. A slightly shorter NRL/SL programme would negate that problem.

4) Do the fans want it? I'd say there is a strong desire for more emphasis being placed on the international game.

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