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.