NRL’s Pacific Island Revolution is Destroying Rugby Union
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- Опубліковано 2 бер 2023
- A meteoric rise in Pacific Island interest in the game of rugby league, will leave permanent damage on World Rugby, if there is no response.
In this video I cover, the NRL's strategic engagement of the Pacific Island population in Australia and New Zealand, which is a breeding ground for International World Rugby talent.
It's never been more important for World Rugby to protect their deeply engrained connections throughout the Pacific Island countries of Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands and Niue.
The Wallabies and All Blacks would likely be the teams most impacted by this shift, but with 20% of World Rugby's playing pool of Pacific Island descent the entire international game will take a blow.
Hope you enjoy this video. All use of footage is completely transformed to suit alignment with the research essay / analysis and adheres to fair use. If any issues please make contact with me.
As always thanks for watching! & please share with your rugby mates. - Спорт
Thanks for watching everyone! Had some connection issues during the premiere - apologies
Awesome video mate these are some great points. You mentioned that international rugby union is incredible and its in a good place. I think thats where part of the problem is. Rugby folks love pointing to the international game as a sign of a healthy game but so many clubs from tier one nations are all struggling with sustainability with many of them on their knees and unable to make profits. Since professionalism begun Rugby has put too much emphasis on international rugby to sell rugby. Rugbys club profile globally is incredibly poor, especially for a sport that prides itself in being a global game. Maybe this could be another video idea but I've recently been thinking how much damage has the 6 nations done to European club rugby since professionalism begun? When you take away all of your clubs star players in the middle of the season for several weeks how are clubs expected grow? Club rugby globally desperately needs more fans and investors but if I was an investor I would not be happy about my star players leaving for several weeks to play on another team.
I don't see why New Zealand or Australia will bother helping the Pacific Island nations unless it is for their selfish benefit. Look at how New Zealand and Australia dumped the South African teams out of Super Rugby. They kept South Africa in the Rugby Championship to get the benefit of playing against the Springboks because that is a big payday. Hopefully the Springboks will eventually join the Six Nations or some new tournament up north because the players in South Africa now have to play in two different seasons and they don't have a proper rest anymore. My point is if New Zealand and Australian rugby felt so little for one of their oldest and closest rivals why would they care about the Pacific Island nations? It is truly sad but personally I don't trust New Zealand or Australia rugby at all.
@@wlk2408 People need to understand that this is not just an Australia and New Zealand problem this is a World Rugby problem that will have a serious impact on everyone. Remember that the All Blacks are rugby unions only global brand with no other team anywhere close to that status. The pacific revolution is centered in NZ within the Pacifica communities and rugby league has a product in the NRL that super rugby simply cannot compete with thats on their doorstep. What do you think that will do to future generations of kids in NZ?
@tinasherusike7458 As for the All Black's status, I doubt it is as important as you think. In terms of support, they are small compared to France, and South Africa.
If you look at Samoa and Tonga they don't even rank in the top twenty countries when it comes to registered rugby players, they have fewer players than countries like Russia, China, Madagascar, and Sri Lanka. Only Fiji has a big rugby player base. Giving more support to Fiji makes sense. I can't see why these nations should get special treatment when there are much bigger markets that can be developed.
What I don't understand is why world rugby isn't doing more to develop rugby on the African continent. Africans are good athletes and there are 1,3 billion people on the African continent. It is a massive undeveloped source. I doubt Africa will ever host a world cup again even though they are home to the team that has the best title ratio at the world cup.
It is unbelievable to see how South Africa is treated by world rugby. One of the biggest rugby powers in the world and they are treated like a second-class member.
Just to put things in perspective a study in 2013 showed that France has 21,8 million rugby supporters and South Africa 21.3 million. New Zealand doesn't come close. As a percentage of the population South Africa has a higher percentage of rugby supporters than New Zealand. I think it is important to consider the reality and where these nations rank in the global picture.
@@wlk2408 I am also African and I assure you that rugby fans in my communities there especially young kids are finding league and the NRL. Rugby League is also doing significantly more for Africa than World Rugby has ever done. Polynesian rugby also has a massive influence on African rugby so much so that the Allblacks have a much higher supporter base on continental Africa outside of SA than the Springboks and any other Tier one nation. Africa makes a massive contribution to the success of the EPL with massive support there. In the coming decades Africa is going to be the biggest market for sports viewership and other ratings and union is going to miss it out on that.
Jason Taumalolo changed the international game! He played for Tonga in his prime and not when he's old and no good. If Richie Mounga and Taniela Tupou play for Tonga, do it when your at your peak. Not the get rejected and have no option then play for Tonga
😂😂 so you guys just gonna throw all the legends that came before him that played for their home nations in the bin? 😂😂
@@Joe_Kondeezenartz just the ones that came back when they were retired/semi retired. Remember Jason came back at his peak!!
Respect. JT always a great player
Richie is born Christchurch he is a kiwi 🤦🏻🤦🏻🤦🏻
@@roberthutchison1561his dad is Tongan and Mum Samoan. He is eligible for Tonga, but he would be to old to be effective after 3 years stand down in Rugby Union.
Anyone who has watched a Pacific team play in Union must have thought 'if there were no scrums, rucks, mauls or line outs, these guys would be unstoppable'. And that is basically what league is. Samoa came so close last year, I can't see if taking too long before a Pacific side wins the Rugby League World Cup (probably before a European team including England).
England/Great Britain already have won a rugby league World Cup
@@jordanmahony4268 I was talking about the future but I guess I could have plonked the word 'again' on the end for clarity.
@@PaulHolder I get your point, I am not sure though I think France has won a rugby league world cup or were they finalists? This was way back in ancient times, the 70s-60s.
@@MusMasi France were finalists but never winners. As I clarified to Jordan though, I was thinking of who might win in the future not who has won in the past.
Samoa came so close ? They got absolutely obliterated by Australia …😂
Remember the roots of league and Union, Pacific players are not only built for league but fit the demographic of what league was invented for
Such a critical thing to understand. Well said.
I as an Australian Rugby league fan am convinced we will see Tonga and Samoa play out a world cup final in the not too far distance.
This is a brilliant video. World Rugby's neglect of the Pacific Islands has come back to hurt them. Compare the star quality of the Samoan and Tongan RL national teams to their union counterparts and you will see why Sialle Piutau said that there are mass code switches happening in Tonga. Whats more concerning for union is that the pacific revolution is also centered in NZ especially within the Pacifica community which also happens to be the fastest growing demographic in NZ. I also believe that for union to have a chance of turning this around this has to happen at Super Rugby level. The NRL is a far superior product than all of unions club comps around the world especially super rugby. According to the Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark he said its critical for Super Rugby to become a better product to compete with the NRL for the future of the game and to be honest I think its too late because you cannot compete with the NRL when you are losing so much talent to Japan and Europe.
Wow… that gave me a few things to think about. So true rugby is competing with nrl and other rugby competitions
League will never compete.rugby is truly global and league never will be
@@dion-ls5co that philosophy is what’s killing RU down here.
Agree, all SR needs to do is move away from a development competition focus & mirror the structure of the NRL & all successful sporting domestic competitions allowing clubs to sign anyone, not prohibited to only signing players from the country the club resides in. Easier said than done, as RU is dependent on Int game, this will take away considerable power from All Blacks & Wallabies who I don’t think will ever allow to happen. So SR will continue to depreciate staying as a development competition.
@@henrilamer5486 I think the damage has already been done and rugby union in the pacific region is set for a bleak future. We like to think that the administrators have a plan but they actually dont. A few years ago I used to think that NZ Rugby was one of the best run sporting organizations in the world but in the last couple of years they have been clearly found out. If union is to have a chance of turning this around they simply need to work together within the game but the relationship between the hemispheres is very fractured and there are so many divisions within the game from an administrative level. I find that very ironic for a sport that calls itself 'union' because there certainly is no union in the game. For Australia and NZ to stop losing their players some sort of arrangement has to be made with French and Japanese Rugby and that will never happen. If Super Rugby continues on its path to being a developmental league future kiwi athletes of the calibre of the Barretts, Savea, Reiko Ioane etc will not be heading to Europe or Japan to play for Toulon, Leinster or Yokohama (whatever they are called) they will be playing for the Rabbitohs, Roosters, Storm and even the Warriors will be stronger than the All blacks.
Me personally I hope rugby league does over take rugby union. Here in England Rugby Union is ahead of rugby league and me selfishly would like to see it the other way around.
I also think rugby league is more exciting to watch, has more skill and you ha e to be physically fitter as well.
I don't dislike Union I just love rugby league as I think it's the greatest sport in the world, I can't believe it's not as popular as I believe it should be.
Also the Nrl is brilliant to watch, it's fast paced, aggressive, skillfull and just very exciting to watch.
Amen I’ll never understand how anyone can watch a good league game and not agree
I went to magic weekend a couple years ago and, not meaning to insult, I found it so hard to watch because it didn't ebb and flow the way union does. I remember thinking I'd love to play it but hated watching it, a player would make a break and then you'd be there waiting for the full defensive line to set and then i found the first 2/3 phases of trucking it up insufferable by the 3rd game or so haha.
Fantastic Video. The latest world cup was amazing. Rugby League has a massive opportunity here and a huge untapped resource in PNG
The last league wc that was held in and around australia and pacific islands about 5 years ago was unbelievable. My England team was on fire, tho we eventually lost but the absolute scenes when the rival islands took each other on was a sight to behold and came as a complete surprise to many here in the north, as did the absolute quality of footy played, as we found out to our cost in the more recent semi final here in England...these pacific island lads are no joke and we're so lucky to have them in our game...unions loss is our massive gain
Unbelievable? 🤣🤣🤣
All the teams are made up of Aussies and Kiwis and Northern Englishmen.
Nobody cares about it
League is rapidly crumbling in England unfortunately. It’s failed to expand time and time again outside the small northern region and looks like it’s on the slow path to death.
This was well put together and you have certainly done your homework. This video needs to go viral
Thank you ❤️❤️
Immaculate analysis mate. We need more of this content!
This dude is the greatest rugby UA-camr of all time and would destroy TRASHANALYTICS and SQUIDGE in a debate lessssgoooo
Excellent analysis . Thank you for making this video.
In rugby Union our PICs are far off from playing gainst the Wallabies or the NZ O Blacks or other first tier nations. But for Rugby League PI players in the NRL have an opportunity to play for thier beloved country and compete against Australia and NZ and other tier1 nations.The NRL is the Big Stage, we are not just passionate about it, we love the game.... rugby league is a culture, its a way of Life, its our Future...From Zero to Hero.
''The NRL is the Big Stage, we are not just passionate about it, we love the game.... rugby league is a culture, its a way of Life, its our Future...From Zero to Hero.''
Give this man a gold medal. You get it. 👍
Incredible video man, much needed information you put out
Thanks mate!! Appreciate the kind words
The irony , Rah Rah which has been trying to destroy RL since 1895 .
Something which is always forgotten about . Union must be better as it's played in more countries. Conveniently forgetting union access to state resources and institutions that it used to oppress league. Never mind the out right hypocrisy in places such as Wales and Ireland where "boot payments " where completely ignored.
I’ve tried to get into union because my father in law is a mad reds fan and even sports a tattoo of the logo , I watched the first round of SR (Aussie teams ) and enjoyed it ……. But then I watched the NRL round one games ….. holy shit was a starch difference in entertainment.
Very hard to switch over from the NRL to the SR ,
Can 100% relate to that, I’m way up in north QLD which just breathes rugby league but have been a diehard union player my entire life
That's literally why league split from union in the first place. League wanted the sport to be faster and more exciting.
Yeah , I was born in Innisfail and currently live in cairns !
You can even see it at local union in cairns , it used to be played in Innisfail , Atherton and port Douglas ! They have all became instinct unfortunately with rumours of maybe 1 or 2 cairns union teams really struggling .
I say we should bring the two codes together again and instead of fight this battle with each other everywhere all over the world we can combined the resources and grow the game globally , both codes would have to give up a bit but it can happen if both sides put the swords .
Great content mate , I hope to ride with ya until your full time haha
Yeah 100 percent, I just find it really weird it hasn’t kicked on in other markets like in oz .
@@vicophysco8885 haha legend brother!! Small world, I was in Cairns last week, I’m way up in the Torres Strait’s - should see how long these videos take to upload 🤣
Wow this vid just says it all. I’m a Samoan and honestly I’ve switched from watching union to nrl just cos i know Samoan rugby stars playing there will aurely represent our country. Good video bro.
Thanks brother 💪 I’m really passionate about this topic. It will really damage all the grassroots systems across Aus/NZ overtime if nothing changes. Plus we all know how good the PI teams could / should be.
@@rod2274 so as yourself
@@rod2274 which rugby you talking about?
Great video Uggy! One of the few indepth videos on this huge issue
Glad you think so!
Really fascinating video mate, well done! It really seems as though union is missing a trick here.
hey thanks for the support! I actually watch your videos haha. Cheers! Love your content
I love the analysis, more NRL content please!
Great video!!
My team I played for last year is the oldest in the town/city I'm from (1987). I was reserve grade but this year we don't have enough players for reserve so we have combined with another team that can only run reserves and we play a grade which we aren't really equipped for..
Thanks brother appreciate it!
Great job Uggy and well researched. Subscribed uce!
Thanks brother!! Appreciate it
use to love watching rugby growing up and even played it when i was younger as almost every kiwi lad does.. however the past 3-5 years I have not watched much of it.. Its not the same as it use to be and the NRL is just so much more exciting.. especially the international competition.
I am a life-long rugby-union man. However, more and more I prefer NRL/league. The fact is that union has become more complicated with BS rules, especially at the breakdown, while league stays consistent and understandable. My only concern with league is the high tackles. They are ridiculous, with guys getting their heads taken off every game. It seems to me that league is a better product these days and will continue to grow at union's expense down under, especially in the Pacific Islands.
Very relatable!
100% agreed - Beaumont and co need to be kicked out and they need better leadership at World Rugby
Spot on. The breakdown, defensive lines, scrums, penalties and influence of referees have become major set backs in union that have affected the viewership of the sport. Its a lot tougher for new spectators watching rugby to know whats happening and in this day and age thats a big problem if you want to grow a sport. Also in most of unions tier one nations the viewership demographics are much older people (boomers and Gen X) compared to many other sports and union has been having trouble reaching younger viewers.
Excellent analysis, a more in depth look at the general state of rugby in NZ may well find an overall decline in playing numbers let alone a shift to league.
All sports are declining in player numbers except for basketball which is bucking the trend.
Basketball is a pickup sport that can be played indoors and outdoors - it always does well for participation.
@@RatzaChewy Agree, I played basketball for many years as well as rugby.
Same with Football
Great video mate! Very interesting
Thanks mate! Glad you enjoyed
Beautiful documentary giving credit where credit is due. I salute you brother
Thanks bro!! Needs some attention desperately
Once someone has a taste of league, they're hooked for life
Haha feels. Didn’t realise this until I moved out of the city.
True Joseph Suaalii agrees
This is a great overdue analysis
Thanks bro!
Great video and some really great points raised.
This a complete well researched piece Bro
Thanks brother!
Another issue too is the individual rugby provinces/ teams in NZ and Australia are owned by the respective governing bodies. Which they control every aspect of the players careers, financial restrictions and sponsorships.
Rugby players cannot self promote or have individual sponsorships and create their own brands.
The NRL clubs are individually owned so players have a greater ability to determine greater financial benefits, set up podcasts, branding and individual sponsorships.
Rugby is stuck for the most part in the dark ages.
It's extremely difficult to follow individual Rugby players because everything is sterile, censored and controlled by the NZRU and the ARU......
There are several Rugby league youtube channels but very few Rugby channels dedicated to their provinces.
Rugby League will explode once it organises its international schedule with greater reach and promotion
Well said, for SR to succeed it needs to be independent from ARU/NZRU aka Wallabies/All Blacks set up. Unfortunately that change I cannot see happening.
I love this comment.
tbh as well sanzaar doesn’t let anyone promote rugby, which is really detrimental to the game…
@@uggyI agree. Although Boc nation has established fantastic sponsorship deals with Ardie Savea and others... These players will benefit financially after they retire.
IRFU lets the players have a bit more freedom think the videos after the Ireland New Zealand 2022 tour and Six Nations final 2023. Know we know why Munster has been playing poorly.
Good video. Definitely a southern hemisphere issue in regards to future of union. Union in the north is the bigger code with a lot more money yet southern hemisphere does both codes better. NRL is THE elite rugby comp of either code. Hopefully league can keep growing in the Pacific Islands.
Top 14 in France has overtaken the NRL and continues to grow. Top 14 revenue in 2022 = $850 million AUD vs NRL = $575 million AUD.
People need to understand that this is not just an Australia and New Zealand problem this is a World Rugby problem that will have a serious impact on everyone. Remember that the All Blacks are rugby unions only global brand with no other team anywhere close to that status. The pacific revolution is centered in NZ within the Pacifica communities and rugby league has a product in the NRL that super rugby simply cannot compete with thats on their doorstep. What do you think that will do to future generations of kids in NZ? A lot more NRL merchandise is sold in NZ than Top 14, URC, Premiership merchandise. The global rugby community simply needs to work together but I dont think that will happen because there are so many divisions within union especially from an administrative level. I find that ironic for a sport that has the word union in its name because there is no union within the sport.
@@colejones6312 , with the Drua in Super Rugby, French clubs are feeling edgy as now their finding it hard to get young quality Fijian into their academy to be qualified as JFF cause now the Drua are able to offer development contracts to players still in high schools. Will be interesting in the next five years how things will unfold for French clubs mining the Pacific, with the another comp, Super Rugby Under 20s, it will further the development for the three pacific islands making it harder for the French to find large amounts they used to get. The French though, like with clermont affiliation with Nadroga, might still get some supplies but the Drua’s inclusion in super rugby has now diverted huge revenues for the French. It’s now a game of cat and mouse on the ground with locals getting secret envelopes filled with cash from foreign clubs (Fiji Olympic medalists, isreli maqala, got his signature forged by a Suva team manager). NRL clubs with close ties to some schools in Fiji will up their game.Already the FNRL have made talks to build an HPU in Fiji most successful rugby union school, RKS. Another big shark in the game are Japanese universities. They former Fiji rugby rep, seremaia bai’s, biggest investor in his private rugby academy which is the biggest rugby academy in Fiji
@@colejones6312 hahaha
French rugby revenue is not close to the NRL.
In 2021 FFR has revenue of 121m euro's.
Now it might have increased since then but not by much.
Lucky to be 200m Euro by now.
World richest Union the RFU has revenue in 2022 of 189m Pounds (354m aud), well short of the NRL.
NRL revenue in 2022 was 593m, in 2023 it will clear 650m revenue in 2023.
@@Richard1H65S You can't be this dense. You seriously took union profits and compared them to a franchise. Shows you have no idea how different unions are administered.
Top 14 makes roughly 800 million, Prem rugby makes roughly 500 million and the NRL makes roughly 600 million. Simple stuff really.
Rugby League is slowly getting many interest in Fiji. Now it’s just up to them to have tournaments in Fiji more.
Fiji will certainly follow Samoa and Tonga. Fiji was so close to beating NZ in the World Cup and they have a number of players that the Fijian rugby union team would die to have (Kikau, Kamikamica, Koroisau and Sivo). Then you have Radradra and Koribete who have both made highly successful transitions to union. NRL will certainly be making even more raids in Fiji.
@@tinasherusike7458 yes. The interest are more into union because of the number of union tournaments in Fiji. League hardly have tournaments so players plays mostly on union. They need to have consistent tournaments for league to increase interest and also when they select the national team, they hardly select local players so they jump back to union like Eroni Sau who is well known now as the Sledgehammer in rugby union. You see, Fiji rugby league are the ones to blame because they're the reason why players doesn't wanna play league because they'll hardly be selected into national team unless you're playing abroad and will have a higher chance to play for the national team
@@tinasherusike7458 That's if the Kaiviti Silktails somehow make it into the NRL itself beyond working towards the main NSW comp from the Ron Massey Cup.
@@6VITU9 So unless FNRL try and make amends with the Silktails which they're currently trying to do, it will definitely stay that way.
@@6VITU9 mean while Fiji rugby union and their government can’t afford Jerry Tuwai his promised home. Your coach resigning a year away from the World Cup. Also hiring a new coach who if I remember correctly was one of the guys making it harder for Fijian players to play international. Rugby league never burned any Fijian players. Like union does.
Another class video 💪 gem of channel
Love you bro!
Very informative channel luv it 👏👏👍👍
Really good video. Only thing I want to bring up is that I think Fiji is a bit of a different case. With a bunch of people adoring 7s in fiji as well as the presence of the fijian drua in super rugby is massive. The support for the drua at home is massive. On top of that, the fijian national rugby team have actually been performing above their weight, with a lot of class fijians playing their rugby in France or England but coming back to play for fiji on the world stage. If you are a kid who loves rugby in fiji, you have a clear path where you can dream of playing for the drua, and then take your career to play for a relativley successful fijian side or play In the Olympics. For Tonga Samoa, and cook islands I definitely see league being a problem for union especially as their is a disconnect with moana pasifika and the islands themselves imo at the moment. But fiji is a different story all together imo
Great point you raise in regards to Fiji, definitely finding the most success in Union of the pacific islands too!
Drua are looking fit as this season 🔥
Lol support for the Drua is wayyyy bigger in Melbourne than the local Rebels Super rugby team. It's the weirdest thing when you go to a Rebels v Drua game and 80% of the crowd are Fijians going crazy for the Drua. The atmosphere they provide is great. Otherwise most home games the atmosphere is dead.
Australia has destroyed international league completely to blame for the fall of international
This comment actually aged really well considering how Fiji is going at the WC. Props to you bro
The problem here is the Pacific Islands proximity to Australia geographically and the popularity of League vs Union in Aus. Rugby Union Australia has shit the bed in terms of not capitalizing on the sports popularity back in the 90's when Aus was a force and winning comps and World Cups, they should have set up a local comp which included the Pacific islands back then and grown the sport. Or World Rugby should have intervened back then and included the pacific nations in SR so they are also to blame here no doubt.
I don't blame the pacific nations for this move, if the NRL is looking after these players and paying them good money then they should go and play where they are best rewarded. Besides if I was a star from one of these nations playing in the NRL would be very attractive, a decent season that isn't as long as union seasons and less international commitments overall, and the money is better as well so what's the downside?
Rugby is shit because they took the money to put their games on pay TV. If they had the gumption to produce their own comp and showed it live on free to air TV, they would have flourished.
@@jojohehe3251 That makes a lot of sense too. Another point to add to the list of fuckups from RA
Great video uso. Subscribed
Legend!! Appreciate the support.
This is an awesome video mate. Needed to be said.
Thanks brother ! Something needs to change
🙏🏿🙏🏼🙏🏻 - Great Points of interest mate - you are the only one telling it how it is moving forward. Union has a downward trend and League is the opposite.
Thanks brother!
totally agree...rugby has been over 100yrs and they still have some of the most boring rules...League grew out league....and has done more in a shorter amount time....Ive always said this as a PI myself....'pacific islanders' are built and better for Rugby League...not Rugby....Rugby too slow too boring......League is speed power and fineese for 40mins.....for which PI boys have an abundance of......but would be wasted in union...
That’s your opinion and I get it but in my opinion union is better than league and union being more global than league is proof of that.. the league World Cup is boring asf but the union World Cup is way more interesting that’s why it’s one of the most watched sports in the world.. at lease in the top ten teams the competition is competitive asf compared to league only 3 or 4 teams are worth watching
@@taraishot100 hahahaha..nice..union has been around longer thats why"its more global".....thats not proof its better game (soccer the same...shit game but its a world game)......just because its popular doesn't always mean its good game... ....but for entertainment value...League is king!......but I understand you're a union guy.... I use to be as well, played both codes until late 40's....League is much harder......U for union....Me for league...all good man
@@taraishot100 read about the Vichy regime in France and then you'll understand why union is bigger there
What I love about NRL is the fact australia provides all theee facilities across the country for youngns regardless of ethnicity to love and enjoy the sporty and one day hopefully play at the top tier level. As an Islander who grew up in nz I switched from union to league in 21’ and I don’t regret it. Up the broncos baybee! Haha subbed 🫱🏾🫲🏻
Haha thanks brother! & a good point you make. Broncos did a job on Penrith 👀
One thing that I love to ask Islanders from NZ is, "do you think that in the future we are going to start seeing more islander kiwis choosing league over union especially when we have a Super Rugby tournament that lacks the entertainment value and star power of the NRL"?
Great insight 👍, cheers mate.
Thanks brother! Really appreciate it
Rugby league is already the biggest sport in the Pacific. It's the national sport of PNG. PNG has over 9 million people. Up to 17 million people if you ask the UN. Even if you take the lower range, PNG has more ppl than the rest of the pacific put together, including NZ. So rugby league is already the biggest sport in the Pacific Islands by virtue of png alone.
Nah i disagree. Not all of PNG are NRL fans.
@@Rick-jh7di Rugby league is the national sport of PNG. State of Origin is literally the biggest sporting event in PNG. There's at least 10 million people in PNG. Most follow rugby league, especially the NRL. But also Engligh rugby league as many PNGeans play over there.
@@SiRasputin So you meant to tell all the inner isolated tribes in PNG are League fans? English Rugby League is not even that known.
@@Rick-jh7di Justin Olam is from one of those isolated tribes in the Highlands. Rugby League is massively popular in the remote highlands region, which is the most populous region of PNG. Probably 5 or 6 million in the PNG highlands
@@SiRasputin I get what your saying but Rugby League is not even that popular in alot Isles in the region. Despite the big numbers of PNG, In the region not so much.
Great video mate.
The unions of Samoa, Tonga and Fiji need to improve their governance and build from the bottom up.
Look at Portugal, Chile and Uruguay. They have built from the bottom up in recent years and have made some great progress.
Awesome video Bro😎👍💯
Great video and spitting facts 💯❤️💪
Thanks bro! Appreciate the support
Fantastic video, really shows just how important the islanders are to Union! For me, the biggest killer of Union in the islands has been the lack of support from SANZAR. It's easy to blame the top 14 for signing so many islanders, but the reality is that super rugby's backing of Moana Pasifika and the Drua has come about 10 years too late! As is any potential chance of the island teams joining the rugby championship.
Tier 1 teams haven't seen the bigger picture until it's become a genuine problem for them
Well said!
True,especially for the Moana.The much awaited anticipation for the Pacific islanders especially the Tongans and Samoans seems to die out maybe 4 or 5 years ago after the Taumalolo effect.
You can notice the opening round between Moana and Drua,the much thought full capacity Pacifica crowds was no where to be seen.
Moana team my prediction will fizzle out in just 4 or 5 years time. But for Drua,there is a strong home support.
The thing that shows the biggest change is this. The rock promoted the rugby league World Cup final just by mentioning and the fact the Samoans were there. Rugby got those endorsements 10 years ago with Matt Damon’s movie. It’s up to league to capitalise not just Coast along. But on the back of that, Hayne going to the nfl, devito going to wwe, Mundine boxing. These are all small but on going steps that tells the world that rugby league has genuinely talented athletes.
Good point!
@@uggy I think rugby has kinda coasted on the idea that it’s popular internationally. But haven’t done much to build it. It’s like they had the Empire State Building and never bothered to add new levels to it. I’d like teams like the Brisbane broncos and The Queensland reds to go to Tonga and Samoa and invest in the schools and the communities. If we want rugby and rugby league to grow and be strong for generations, the clubs need to go to these smaller communities, and out back aboriginal towns too!! And build the infrastructure for these talented kids to become heroes to the next generation. There’s plenty that can be done and it’ll probably help troubled communities if a kid can see a pathway to the wallabies or the all blacks or kangaroos or kiwis or Samoa and or Tonga. Then they’ll be less likely to dabble with drink and drugs
Agree. Have to say, also Jordan Mailata playing in the Superbowl. They keep asking who he is and what he did before. RL always comes up.
Great insight and not lost on many people asking for a change in Rugby Aust Management
sign me up!
What a great report with a good analysis of current situation. For far too nz have been draining the Pacific island playing pool.
Thanks sir!
The excitement,skill and speed of league is now light years ahead of the borefest that is rugby.
The whole code will fade and die a slow painful death in coming years.
The fans will decide.
You know it’s a good day when uggy uploads
Haha I was a little slow with this one!! But cheers brother really appreciate the support
Good video gunna share it on Rugby league and Union Page.
Cheers bro!
Awesome video bro from South auckland
Thanks brother!! Appreciate the support
Great vid. It's unlikely that much will change, as European and south African rugby union are getting particularly strong, the Pumas seem to get stronger every season, and even Italy is performing. While they don't care, this will be a pacific/Australasian issue
Good point!
I hope that’s the case. All PI players stay in southern hemisphere. Stay away from Europe. Let rugby focus on the core countries. While rugby league can take the best of the best the islands have to offer.
Agree, the URC is becoming one of the best competitions in the world. Union is on a massive up trajectory in SA and Europe. This is a problem in Australasia that needs addressing.
I agree and I think the Australian and New Zeeland unions will opose any changes to incentives as them losing their pacific island players to Tonga, Fiji etc. will also have a massive impact on their international squads
@@onskyk Are you not following whats been happening to club rugby in the UK? Wasps and Worcester? Welsh Rugby? These are serious problems within the club game thats affecting players lives and their families but people talk as if things are hunky-dory. UK clubs have struggled to make profits and are in desperate need of new fans to grow and to do that they need a lot better ratings than what they are getting. More clubs in Wales and England could be going into administration. The URC with 5 tier 1 nations involved makes less revenue than the Mexican Baseball League, Bangladesh 20twenty cricket, 3rd tier Japanese Football and the Azerbaijan Premier League. About 3/4 of UKs professional clubs struggle to regularly bring in over 10 000 spectators to their games. I dont see how that is a massive up trajectory. And then with SA rugby you only have 5 elite teams representing entire cities and regions (similar to Wales, Ireland and Scotland) and they still cant regularly get over 15 000 spectators for only 5 teams with some of those teams also regularly getting less than 10 000 spectators. Does that sound promising?
I always talk about how different it would be if everyone got the same pay. The disparity betweens teams is night and day. Great insight and information
Awesome video 💯
Politics was already destroying rugby from grass roots level too and in comparison I’d think it’s more like a prime Lomu choosing to play for Tonga in my opinion.
All paid for by Biden bro
Would love rugby league to grow more and challenge union
Which is why the NRL is that one obstacle in the way for some dubious reason, they have no idea how huge international footy can become with their narrow minded focus on club and origin.
It’s true looks at Moana Pasifika and Fiji Drua side. Last ditch effort to attract the pasifika players for union. Problem is rugby league already got them beat. More younger Polynesian rugby league players will be coming out. Better quality at that. While rugby union will be looking at scraps.
For sure brother, this is exactly what I was trying to point out 👌
Rugby union has treated islands as servants instead of brothers
Great video. I started watching NRL 3 years ago to learn more about league as I am from South Africa and we only have union. I even managed to watch a few rugby league world cup games recently, but that was super challenging. I noticed that there was very limited coverage of the league world cup and even the attendance was not great in England. It almost felt that competitions like the NRL and Super League in England is of way more importance than the world cup, where in Union the World cup is still the ultimate price. Is my view wrong?
Your view is spot on! League internationally is tiny but it’s starting to gain some momentum (even though it’s still really small)
League was never in our DNA because we liked the physicality of rucks, scrums and also lineouts with driving mauls in South Africa. We still do.
Union needs to rewind a bit and allow tacklers to compete for the ball on the ground and draw more forwards into rucks to make it very different to league like it used to be where traditional Union forward play separates forwards from backs.
They allowed Union to become too similar to league and nullified good old fashioned scrapping forwards where the backs also had more space.
Great observation. League might not have a great international product like union but what that sport has in the NRL and State of Origin are vibrant domestic comps with great ratings that allows them to be very sustainable which is something that is missing from many of unions tier one nations. I grew up watching a vibrant Currie Cup before professionalism when the domestic game in SA was vibrant. The NRL reminds me of that. The NRL is something that the Currie Cup should have evolved into which would have allowed SA rugby to be self sustainable without living at the mercy of European rugby and Sanzar. The NRL has started to capture the attention of South Africans because of technology and we are starting to find more SA kids getting interested in watching league. The only question is if that interest can ever turn into participation
@@tinasherusike7458 💯. Grassroots is where it's at. RL has that over union. It's solid because it's organic as well. There's a disconnect between the fans and Super teams at a local level
@@georger6772 Another thing that league has over union is with Touch Footy. The brand of touch footy thats played in Australia and Nz is growing very fast in the US. This is massive for rugby league because that game is perfect for grassroots sports. The organizing of it is aligned to rugby league branding where they use Steedens and singlet designs follow league designs. With rugby union flag rugby is the best you have for a non-contact grassroots game but very few people play that compared to touch footy. Globally touch footy is also growing very fast
The NRL needs a second New Zealand team and soon a PNG team.
PNG cannot sustain an NRL team. Even a second NZ team is unlikely to be sustainable right now. Maybe in a decade that might change but probably not.
@@louiscypher4186 Aus goverment is considering a 20m grant per year over decades to support an NRL team in PNG.
Goepolitcs with China means that Australia wants to get close to PNG, no better way than through PNG National sport Rugby league.
Support in PNG for there own NRL team would be off the chain, all 10m of them would go ballistic.
With that grant it will work, plus the NRL has a lot of money now.
Second NZ team will need a wealthy owner for it to get up.
Surely a Wellington team long over due?
Rugby League is not just winning on the Pacific Island front, but they are looking to duplicate that in the Caribbean and Africa as well. Jamaica, Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria (whose rugby federation is currently suspended by world rugby) have all seen investment brought into their rugby league national teams. All of these nations have either had league players who are descendants of immigrants that ended up representing England or played in England and help push the popularity of league in these countries (like Jamaica and Nigeria), are traditional rugby union playing territories that are now interested in giving the other code a try (like Kenya), or are completely new to rugby and are choosing to go with league (like Ghana). World Rugby should find this alarming because if more nations aren't getting brought up to speed with the established tier one nations, then the IRL could find a way to stunt the growth of the sport in many of the developing nations they seek to bring along.
I have been a life long rugby union player and fan but rugby league has won me over the last 4 years to become my favorite of the 2 codes. Im Zimbabwean living in the US and thanks to technology over the last 15 years rugby league has become a lot more accessible to watch. I know other Zimbabwean and black South African rugby fans that have also found rugby league and have become consumers of the NRL. The biggest lure to rugby league for black african rugby union fans is the diversity within the NRL and and league. Most black African rugby union fans are All Black fans so the diversity that comes with the NRL particularly with Pacifica players is something we like. But the product on the field is also something we resonate with. Running rugby and scoring beautiful tries. You are going to see a lot more of that in League than union
Hahaha Mungoball the only sport in the world that can't grow
@@lancesimon3301 rather than making an absolute ass out of yourself and going "hurr hurr, rugby league can't grow", why don't you actually open your eyes and see what the NRL is doing to take fans and money away from rugby union in Australia and now the Pacific Islands? Rugby League may be growing at a slower pace, but it's still growing and it's starting to grow at the expense of a tier one nation in rugby union in Australia, not to mention the Pacific Island rugby union nations except maybe for Fiji.
South Africa will produce the players needed for Rugby Union
lmao
I wonder if South Africa collapses how would that impact professional Rugby? Zimbabwe was pretty much a tier one nation hosting big test matches against other touring tier one nations and qualifying for the first 2 world cups. When it collapsed the sport was heavily affected and has not come anywhere close to recovering. South Africa is in a very fragile state economically and financially and the ratings the country brings to the professional game are very important for the fragile sustainability of professional rugby. This would certainly be a great schism in the game and possibly world sport if that was to happen. I'm pretty sure those at World Rugby are watching carefully the political events in South Africa.
@@tinasherusike7458 Rugby will still survive without South Africa, cause most middle class South Africans will move to developed nations
@@simpslayer7839It won't collapse, it isn't Zimbabwe and Mandela made sure it wouldn't be.
Beside, South Africa rugby will not collapse, since now is not limited to a minority and that min9is not going anywhere: it's their country too
I very much enjoyed this video. Well done.
I grew up with rugby league. Australia is a good place to observe the two codes of rugby, side by side.
There were no Pacific Islanders in the Sydney club competition in the 1980's, that I can remember. But today, players from NZ, PNG and the Pacific Islands make up at least half of the NRL's rosters. It's been a wonderful thing for the game. I'm not surprised to learn that this has caused a talent drain for Pacific rugby.
NRL today is a great product for the fans and highly lucrative for the players. It's no surprise its attracting players from poor island nations wanting to enjoy the game, move to Australia and improve the lifestyle of their families.
It's a club competition, like the English Premier League and the NFL. It's not just an international game.
It has hugely popular annual events like State of Origin and Magic Round. NRL has several TV panel shows in Australia hosted by fun personalities.
NRL has superstars. Union doesn't have superstars, only one superstar team, which is a national side, not a club side.
NRL constantly modifies its rules making it a fast and entertaining sport.
Union, on the other hand, is held back by its appetite for traditions arising from 150 years of amateurism and rugby tours. Its 'laws of the game' are so complex that referees need to be lawyers. The games are riddled with penalties. In one recent international, the game was held up for five minutes waiting for a decision from the video ref. Oh dear.
Thanks mate, your kind words out a huge smile on my face! Thanks for your perspective too, some really good info!
There were a few PI players (NZers) in the 1980s running around - Olsen Filipaina, the Sorenson brothers, Darryl Williams etc. But IIRC the limited numbers was due to the transfer rules of that era.
The Dolphins have been the surprise package of NRL 2023 so far (early days, even with supercoach Bennett) and they would be a very different side without their Pacific Islands players. Ditto my beloved Sharks - for all the media attention given to one Aussie player, without the Islanders they would flounder. Sharks v Dolphins at Shark Park would be my dream afternoon.
Great video.......some solid valid points
Great video explaining things well.
Thank you!! Appreciate the kind words
lol i didn't even know rugby was back to 12 teams.
you did a really good job on this. Very balanced.
Thanks!! Really appreciate that comment, was hard to word things to please everyone 😅
A big factor not looked into in this video: The Quality of the Game Codes themselves.
League went professional a good number of decades before Union. In that time a lot of the evolution of the game came about to improve it: Reduce players on the pitch from 15 to 13. Remove contest for the ball and replace with Sets of Six tackles. No scrums or line-outs. Centre the game around the 6 Tackles = Back 10m per tackle = 60m. Kicking naturally comes either as a way to kick for territory on the 5th Tackle or kick a bomb on the line in attack because the defence is too strong to create a 50-50 try. More recently 40-20 for more attacking options. From all this the game is clearer in officiation, technically it runs better because the rules are simpler and clearer and more space from less players. You see Union adopting more and more of League rules. Union still has so many rules problems where the referee has to intervene and the more that happens the more grey and random it is. The kicking and stop-starting is too high for spectacle often as well.
In respect to Pacific Islander players League really suits their build (Hence why so many do well in NRL). The technical stuff lines-outs and mauls and scrums they don't have to worry about that in League.
NRL is clearly the best quality code of rugby down-under and best "product" for tv and commands the best money. Super 12 has been dominated by NZ and the Aus teams and grassroots are falling behind. That's going to lead to PI players going into league as well and the recent success of their teams will only fuel that even more.
I used to prefer Union but then got into League more and more and now just find the skill and total-team effort with less arbitrary stoppages or penalties to be more satisfying. Again 15s has too many players on the pitch is a critical problem with how big and fit and fast professionalism has created these teams then there's endless forwards grinding metres forwards before kicking back and forth. The odd backs break out is good but there's too "bloat" in the game.
I also think kids who want to play rugby would generally be better off training as League players, playing some Touch footie and learning core basics from that system and having more skill training time active game time playing that than doing Rugby where there's less time on the ball and more specialist roles that do less overall. If anyone tries Touch footie, you'll see how good a system League is as well where it's a combination of quick grinds forwards, set-moves testing a tiring defence and constant team work and coordination and the overall continuous flow of the game: Same as league.
That said Rugby Union goes in fits and starts, some years ago Super 15 had enough decent teams competing and equally this year the Six Nations has had different teams coming up with wins (Ireland and Scotland) making it more competitive. But overall too many games are dull over the long-term and that's the problem from the way the game works imho. It still has a strong place for different body types eg tall line-outers, round props/hookers, small scrum-halfs and quick backs but overall even that is less than before where every player is monster and interchangeable in size and power backs and forwards, which as Campese said always used to be the USP of Union and what created the best games. That's hard to replicate in the modern era as a standard in all games.
Wow, appreciate your comment & the detail you’ve put into it. Some really great points!
@@uggy Sorry for the wall of text. But to build on the above about the game quality: One of the big problems of the modern Union game is the break-down: So-called "Jackalling over the ball effectively means if a player attacks forwards with the ball but is isolated despite gaining yards/metres, they can then be penalized for holding on which is a terrible disincentive to attacking forwards unless it's a set move with teammates to create a platform.
Secondly the defensive team is back behind the their own scrum or break-down and so the gain line if the attacking team pass backwards down the backs is easily going backwards to a rush defence thus making passing a negative option.
That contrasts with league with each tackle is automatic 10m back and there's a contest to reduce that positive gain by the attacking team for the defenders which then can lead to interesting battles going on over a game.
Rugby Union resorts to too much kicking from possession as a consequence and too many penalties for points on the scoreboard equally.
It's a good video and good subject: I'm not surprised the PI's are going to league. One of my old friends from Samoa said they were already enjoying league more in NZ amongst the PI community ages ago because it's more akin to their "warrior heritage" than Union. That's also a factor apart from natural ability.
Rugby leagues simple rules make it a simple, repetitive generic game. Run it straight five times and put up the bomb. Sure a lot of people seem to like that simplicity and predictability, doesn't make it better.
@@owenwoodward4467 If you like Union you probably like the drama and sponaneity. However if you like League you like the tactics and game management and focus on high skill to execute.
As for simplicity it's easier for a bunch of people to run their own game with League too and focus on passing and running skills.
@@commentarytalk1446 Can't agree with you there. League back moves are so repetitive with little room for improv. Rugby players demonstrate far more skill due to the necessity to read and react to unpredictable circumstances. The fact rugby players know how to pass properly instead of just lobbing it along awkwardly is just one example. When SBW came back to League the commentators would lose it over a simple ordinary spiral that every rugby player makes continually at all levels.
Great analysis.
Thanks mate!! Appreciate the support
Great video as usual! Rugby's biggest problem is the world governing body. They pay lip service but there's hardly anything positive that ever changes. Fiji, Samoa and Tonga are part of rugby's DNA. What a great shame it would be to lose so many wonderful players to a rival code ... all while sitting idly by and watching it unfold.
Thanks brother 🔥 can’t keep sitting on our hands, great point about the governing body and how they constantly act as a dead end for progress
@@uggy Quite right! Dead end ...
I’m a ex blues supporter and I find league a lot entertaining to watch, rugby has a lot stupid rules that’s hard to understand..
In samoa and Fiji rugby is still strong there I think it will stay that way because of the sevens success in both countries…
The pacific islands rugby nations have problems with administrations misuse of funds, corruption and politics, look at Samoa in the last 20 years the prime minister is also the president/chairman of rugby union..
Good point brother, I can agree with NRL quality being really high compared to Super Rugby ar the moment.
Good point about the 7s
Sounds more like a problem with Samoa and Tonga idolizing league, especially when Fiji basically has 7s as a favorite sport despite one or two NRL club academies here like the NQ cowboys.
Unless the Kaiviti Silktails somehow work their way up the ranks to NRL from the Ron Massey division of the NSW comp, the Drua in Super Rugby is pretty much keeping the union stronghold intact despite league being the fourth favorite sport after soccer and netball.
Wow great insight brother, thanks. Over here it feels like, there’s a massive shift especially at junior levels… then again league just has a really good system happening.
The Drua should give the Waratahs a run tonight!
@@uggy Go Tahs... haha
@@MTG776 🔥🔥 how about Ardie against the rebels!
awesome stuff 🙏
Maybe pacific islanders want to play NRL because it has evolved into a better game.
Union has been struggling in Australia for a very long time. All of the best youngsters sign with League, while Union has to overpay mediocre League players to play their game, just to create some sort of media interest because simply nobody cares about Union.
I always use the Ryan Cross example. A good, but not great centre in League, his club the Roosters offered him a reduced contract as he was clearly on the decline. An ageing player on a sub par team. Switches to Union, nek minnit is playing for the Wallabies. You can't tell me, with a straight face, that a past their prime Union player, who wasn't good enough to play for the Wallabies could switch codes and play origin or test football.
Haha good example regarding Ryan Cross 🤣
How's Lachie Miller going babe? Also what a crock of shite, Cross was 27 when he left and was recently the Roosters player of the season prior to leaving.
You do know they're different sports?ones a big international sport the other is Rugby League
Great content and amazing resources
Glad you think so! Thanks for the kind words
As a south African, I miss the super rugby with Argentinean, new Zealand and Australians teams.
URC is just a way for European clubs to spot SA talent maybe it evolves into a Global league but the logistics will be a challenge
Moving to the Nothern Hemisphere was the best decision ever. The East West multiple timezone travel logistics were a nightmare for the players, being Jet-Lagged sucks big time. Not to mention us as the viewers having to watch our teams at awkward hours. The URC teams are not on the same level as the SANZAAR teams, but they've gotten a lot better in recent years. I also belive the URC has given the Northen Hemisphere the confidence and strenght to beat Southern Hemisphere teams convincingly. This coming world cup is going to be absolutely exciting.
Think this is my third time watching? You deserve more subs bro honestly...
Thanks brother!! Much appreciated
Great video. I used to follow both but to me it feels like Rugby Union has become a boring overly technical farce. I'm not sure if this is because it has allowed the Northern Hemisphere nations to better compete against the All Blacks and Springboks but the game at the top level is nowhere near as good as State of Origin as an attacking spectacle.
Brilliant video and you hit the nail on the head. Also I reckon Rugby Union should sit up and listen to what you are saying 🤔 They need to provide better financial incentives in 2nd, 3rd and 4th tier levels of the comps. They only need to look at League for a template and ideas. I don't think it would be that hard to see what works.
Thank you ❤️ appreciate the kind words
I grew up watching rugby union but now I prefer league. I hope the Pacific embraces it to become the most popular sport in our region.
I prefer rugby Union but if your a talented young Polynesian footy player then league is a way better option. You play in front of decent crowds at good stadiums. Every game is televised, league is ahead of rugby in terms on innovation, the average salary is around 200k a year and you don’t have to travel every week to play a game. Test match rugby is awesome but there are only so many tours you can go on before the novelty wears off. The European and Japanese leagues have poor crowds, poor stadiums and too many matches in a season. Japanese stadiums don’t even have proper ingoals.
Top 30 players in NRL squads average salary is 400k. 12m caps per team.
Forget RU The Pacific Island revolution in RL is going to destroy Origin
Very top video! For me Rugby nines is next big think
Thanks bro!! & agree, seems like nrl have stopped pushing 9s lately
@@uggy what à shame ! For me Nines is à killer for seven
ANZ issues with International league is SOO. Its bigger, this shouldn't be the case but it is. Hopefully this last RLWC will slowly change this.
Spot on... Dolphins have taken Union Money... Goodnight Rugby Union in Australia...
As much as I prefer union over league I must admit that learning about the neglect that World Rugby has towards the Pacific Islands was incredibly disheartening to learn about. Oceans Apart was what I first saw in regards to this issue and despite the bombshell it dropped it doesn't seem like there's been much of an initiative from WR to change eligibility laws across the board or bring ANY monetary returns back to the Pacific whatsoever.
I remember during an interview in the doc one of the players mentioned how Tonga, Fiji, and Samoa haven't played a home game on their own soil since the 90s or so because WR doesn't deem their grounds up to standard; The respective unions need to pay out of pocket to send their national side overseas to play "Home" games in NZ, AUS, ENG, etc. among a litany of other challenges.
This explanation might be completely off, but I feel as though the difference in the way WR and the IRL treat the Pacific Islands has a lot to do with the respective cultural origins of each code. League's history begins with players wanting change and breaking away from the strictly traditional union. The IRL seems to try and operate with that same spirit of freedom in mind towards its players while WR still wants autonomy over theirs.
Hopefully things change; And while I feel union is at a pretty good spot right now there are dozens of problems that WR doesn't seem interested in changing for what reason? I wish I knew.
I think you also have to consider that New Zealand rugby and Australian rugby to a lesser extent didn't want the Pacific Union teams to be strong as it meant the best players would end up playing for the national teams.
League is planning on taking over from Union.they are on the move.
wow great video!
Thanks!
The Canterbury Bulldogs have a rugby 7's superstar playing NSW cup right now named Jeral Skelton who will debut this year so watch out for him
Absolute beast
Seems to be a lot of movement between NRL clubs & Fiji 7s players. A couple of gold medallist’s from Japan signed with the Cowboys while also a couple of Silktail players signed with Fiji 7s this yr.
Rugby Union players don't have as much impact as Rugby League players when they switch code
NRL has done wonderfully - I don't think Union will be able to mirror that success because I don't think it forms part of their strategy. Also, the leadership of Union with Castle created such a mess and lost so much good faith in the game and all that leadership under Castle did was talk negatively about a Pacific Islander instead of the game and talking about the game and promoting the game.
Awesome video
Great video and I agree with everything you say. I was at England v Samoa in the semi final in 2022 and it was one of the greatest games I've ever seen in either code. Samoa literally have some of the best players in the world in League who have been dominating the NRL with Penrith. When they reached the final the police force in Apia did a Siva Tau in tribute. Even the Rock sent a message. That just wasn't thinkable 20 years ago. This was after Tonga ended up beating all the traditional Rugby League giants of Australia, England and New Zealand in the space of a few years. Fiji also managed to beat New Zealand. This like you say just encourages interest as they realise they have a chance of winning the top prize.
I do see similarities with the what happened with the great West Indies Test cricket team. If you'd said 30 years ago that the West Indies would be 10th in the world ranked behind Bangladesh and Afghanistan, I'm not sure anyone would have thought it possible. The reasons are similar though: England, India and Australia basically have the money and the other nations struggle to pay their players as they can't get the big Test teams to visit them. This causes the players to go to T20 where they can make millions and Test cricket slowly gets smaller and smaller.
The paying the players the same money was such a smart move by Rugby League and I feel it has to happen in Union. But as you say my worry is will the financial interests want that?
that's why RUGBY LEAGUE IS THE GREATEST OF THE TWO! RUGBY UNION HAS NO PREMIER COMPETITION AND ITS DULL! NRL AND RUGBY LEAGUE IS THRIVING ESPECIALLY THE PACIFIC ISLANDER PLAYERS! AND IN GENERAL ALL PLAYERS ARE THE BEST! A RUGBY LEAGUE!
Rugby Union told island communities they were no longer welcome, in 2019.
nice video. RU definitely hurting itself. It would help if they loosened up there elegibility rules. a,ongst other changes. keep up the good work.