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Not right is it. I think, even though this will be a successful tournament, it needs a little tweaking to ensure it actually benefits growing the game outside of England, Oz, PNG and the PI. A quota of residents to be fielded in each team? There's actually only 1 Lebanon based player in that team. Most are reserve graders with a couple of first graders and a few from Auburn Warriors and Blacktown Workers.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
At least the RLIF mandates the code is actually played in that country nowadays - league wasn't actually played in Lebanon when they competed at the 2000 World Cup. To the international federation's credit they have done a good job basing the international game on a much more rigorous footing since then (pretty much starting with the 2008 World Cup) which is starting to pay dividends now. That said the women's tournament starting on Thursday will feature a Canadian team made up entirely of active rugby union players or converts!
I think more important is what they do with a team like Tonga now. We saw what happened with Samoa - they had a huge showing at the 2014 Four Nations, almost causing a couple of upsets, and then didn't play another tier one nation until this year. Any progress they could have made was lost.
They have put a bye window concurrently here and in the UK. Player logistics could be a sticking point with the clubs though.
USA has made strides with most of the squad playing domestically there. Or at least in North America. Got a few playing for the Toronto Wolf Pack. Be interesting to see they progress next year with their promotion. I think the Coal Train is playing for them.
New York are supposedly entering Superleague in 2019 and Want Hayne.
Sorry I thought we were starting a "smartarse-off" - my mistake...
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Morgan to score a double @$9.00.![]()
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
I'm unconvinced that the Lebs should even be in RLWC. But you have to admire the grit they play with. A bunch of park footy players and reserve graders showing that you can go with a team full of NRL reps as long as you work hard and defend like your life depends on it. Chuck in a few crafty NRL playmakers and you can even score some tries.
Lebs right in the game 22-16 @ half time. think the size and athleticism of Tonga will win out though.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Right in it. 24-22 with 10 to go. Unlucky not to have the lead really.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David