2018 England tour to Australia? : Wed Nov 19, 2014 2:00 pm  

Seems the Four Nations has finally woken up some in the NRL to the idea that international league is still alive and kicking when they make an effort to support it.

Talks are apparently under way to discuss the potential for an England tour to Australia, including three Tests and potentially a couple of "country" games in the midweek.

However the NRL are keen for this not to increase the workload for top players, which to me would suggest they want to play it during the season rather than at the end. Does that sound the death knell, or do we think SL clubs would be willing to release up to half a dozen of their top players for 6-7 weeks in the middle of the regular season now "every game matters"?

Re: 2018 England tour to Australia? : Wed Nov 19, 2014 2:47 pm  

I have said it before that we should do a tour during the season but i really can't see the Aussies going for it as they have SOO and the top the clubs in the NRL wouldn't be prepare to give up their top stars for 6 weekends during the regular season.

I can't see why we couldn't do a tour that would include a couple of a games midweek, a test against each of NZ, Australia and PNG.

Re: 2018 England tour to Australia? : Wed Nov 19, 2014 3:44 pm  

The game can toss into the ring as many afterthought joke namby pamby mini international tour formats as it pleases. Nothing will come close to repairing the damage to the game by the loss of proper Kangaroos and Lions tours.

It used to be the highest honour and privilege to gain international honours competing in proper tours and Ashes Series. The game blew it when it became Sky Sports summer buttplug. ARL chairman Ken Arthurson did warn way back in 1995 that Super League would destroy international RL and he was right.

Re: 2018 England tour to Australia? : Wed Nov 19, 2014 5:00 pm  

William Eve wrote:

The game can toss into the ring as many afterthought joke namby pamby mini international tour formats as it pleases. Nothing will come close to repairing the damage to the game by the loss of proper Kangaroos and Lions tours.

It used to be the highest honour and privilege to gain international honours competing in proper tours and Ashes Series. The game blew it when it became Sky Sports summer buttplug. ARL chairman Ken Arthurson did warn way back in 1995 that Super League would destroy international RL and he was right.

The club game was on its aris in 95' and something had to be done.I too regret the demise of the Kangaroo tours, they were fantastic and are very much missed but we are highly unlikely to ever see them in the guise they used to be now so may aswell accept it.

I very much enjoyed the 4 nations this time around and am looking forward to the kiwi tour next year, but it does seem an awful long time to wait. Having not had a full blown kangaroo tour in 20 years and some of the stop start rubbish we have had to endure in the mean time i will take whatever 'after thought namby pamby' international match against NZ or OZ wherever possible thanks,don't care what it means to them i enjoy it.

Re: 2018 England tour to Australia? : Wed Nov 19, 2014 5:35 pm  

William Eve wrote:

Re: 2018 England tour to Australia? : Thu Nov 20, 2014 7:18 am  

The split season opens the door IMO to a mid season tour, start Superleague on Boxing Day and have a 6 week break for Internationals.

Re: 2018 England tour to Australia? : Thu Nov 20, 2014 8:53 am  

William Eve wrote:

The game can toss into the ring as many afterthought joke namby pamby mini international tour formats as it pleases. Nothing will come close to repairing the damage to the game by the loss of proper Kangaroos and Lions tours.

It used to be the highest honour and privilege to gain international honours competing in proper tours and Ashes Series. The game blew it when it became Sky Sports summer buttplug. ARL chairman Ken Arthurson did warn way back in 1995 that Super League would destroy international RL and he was right.

These tours were so popular - check the attendances!! We have had this discussion before 1982 Aussies were the greatest side that ever toured this country look at the crowds

6 games including one international attracted crowds of less than 10K
3 games had crowds < 11k
The three internationals 26k Hull, 23k Wigan, 17k Headingley

Your view of how good the international game was in its heyday simply don't stack up - without a strong club game where do the players come from to form the international side?

If we hadn't have started SL we would still be part time playing against a FT Aussie side. How could those games have ever been competitive it would have been like England playing France - the international game really would have been a joke.

So you think tours will return the game to its glory days - the game was in such good order prior to SL!! So how do you suggest these tours are conducted - we return to winter rugby?

Re: 2018 England tour to Australia? : Thu Nov 20, 2014 8:56 am  

mrpurfect wrote:

The split season opens the door IMO to a mid season tour, start Superleague on Boxing Day and have a 6 week break for Internationals.

So start the NRL season at the height of summer - are you serious? Also when do the players get a break and have time for pre-season?

Re: 2018 England tour to Australia? : Thu Nov 20, 2014 10:47 am  

William Eve wrote:

ARL chairman Ken Arthurson did warn way back in 1995 that Super League would destroy international RL and he was right.

International RL was not destroyed, hence he was wrong. And if he was that fecking concerned he could always have re-set the timer on the Australian season.

Re: 2018 England tour to Australia? : Thu Nov 20, 2014 10:52 am  

Clearwing wrote:

International RL was not destroyed, hence he was wrong. And if he was that fecking concerned he could always have re-set the timer on the Australian season.

Agreed it could argued it is in a better state now than it was then