Great result for International game?
Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2022 11:41 am
I know that yesterday's result was dreadful for us English fans and will have a detrimental knock-on effect on the crowd/finances for the final but those running the tournament really should try to advertise any positives they can. It's an amazing achievement for a tiny island nation (population 200 000, far less than that quoted for Wigan and Leigh) to reach the World Cup Final. Any international sport should celebrate when a nation qualifies for their first ever World Cup Final. Surely, we all want the international game to grow and this is an example of that. We've just had the two best semi-finals in the competition's history and we should be looking for ways to strengthen the competition further. You would hope now that any players from the island nations who could also be persuaded to play for Australia or New Zealand will be less likely to do so. You would also hope that any Samoan youngsters that are considering playing rugby will now choose league rather than union where their national team will (probably) never make a semi-final or final. Wouldn't it be great if we could get the Fijians to feel the same way?
Somehow the game needs to help countries such as France, PNG and Fiji to get up to the level of England, Samoa and Tonga. I realise that Australia and to some extent New Zealand are out of reach of the rest of us when they are at their best and initially the best we can do is to make certain that they're not allowed to weaken the developing teams in any way. I honestly don't know how we could achieve these objectives and don't hold out a great deal of hope but we can at least be supportive where possible. I hope those of you that are now undecided about going to Old Trafford at the weekend will be there with me cheering on the Samoans.
Somehow the game needs to help countries such as France, PNG and Fiji to get up to the level of England, Samoa and Tonga. I realise that Australia and to some extent New Zealand are out of reach of the rest of us when they are at their best and initially the best we can do is to make certain that they're not allowed to weaken the developing teams in any way. I honestly don't know how we could achieve these objectives and don't hold out a great deal of hope but we can at least be supportive where possible. I hope those of you that are now undecided about going to Old Trafford at the weekend will be there with me cheering on the Samoans.