On SL BackChat this week, it was suggested that the Exiles concept is coming to a natural end (at about 10pm on Friday, most likely) as, due to the relatively strong Australian dollar, we will have both a weaker Exiles team, and half the obvious England/GB team selection already playing down under. The idea came up to play a midseason game in Australia, so that we actually have the Australian-based players 'available' (though, if it's not a full international game, I don't think clubs are obliged to release them anyway - no matter where the game is played) for a full squad.

So, if there's an appetite from British players to play in Origin, maybe extending the series a bit to have England play QL and NSW would satisfy that? It's a level below international, like the Exiles, but still a level above the usual opposition; it would allow the full first-choice squad to play together; and it could be a marketing coup: "Mate against mate, state against state, and also against the evil stuck-up Pommie imperialist overlords". Initially, the England games might be looked on patronisingly as an easy warm-up for QL/NSW, until England started winning some, at which point we'd have a stronger international side.

Two England v QL/NSW games could be played over a two-week period, and the final SOO game could be considered part of the round-robin, possibly making it more meaningful if SOO is a dead rubber. On the downside, we lose 10-15 top UK-based players for two weeks but, if we're already restructuring the league, it could be possible to build that gap in for the sake of international development. Also, if we can't even beat the state sides, who's going to take us seriously as an international side?

Not that the NRL will bite, I suppose. I'd watch it, though.

If you say "Aussies wouldn't turn out for NSW v England because they see representative RL as a joke when it's outside their own country", you sort of are





How do you think we could do that? Which of the completely non-silly concepts of the Exiles, Four Nations, and France internationals grew the international game and improved the quality of the competition?

I happen to like the Exiles concept, but there are two glaring problems with it: half the England team are down under, and the better Aussies earn more at home, these days.

To improve, I think we'll need better opposition, and we need to get the first-choice squad playing together. I don't think England playing QLD or NSW is a silly concept (and neither did the recent Lions tour organisers, though YMMV), and it would fulfil both of those requirements.

1) I said the Aussies wouldn't turn out if it happened now. Maybe if we beat them in the World Cup they will sit up and notice us.

2) England should play New Zealand and the other Pacific nations, which would be of actual benefit to the international game whilst providing a challenge.

I don't see what playing the Aussie heartland regions does for improving our international game OR helping England improve?!

I take it back - you're not pessimistic





That would do me. We'd still have to take the team down under for it to be feasible and, as they would be proper internationals, the Australian clubs couldn't refuse to release players.



Better quality opposition and a chance to get the full squad together. Both of which would also be achieved by playing NZ and the (stronger) Pacific islands.

Your mixing up too many concepts. I'd love us to play a 'Lions' tour again in RL , playing club and lesser rep sides midweek . Do it every 4 years and it would be great. England playing and getting stuffed by NSW or QSL? No ta it would be even more embarrassing than the normal bitchslapping we get from the Kangaroo's

As for Burgess and being an Aussie? His choice I guess but it shouldnt matter if you get a passport or not , once you've nailed your colours to a mast you should be forced to stick with it. Moving international 'allegiances' just makes RL look even more of a joke.

They get 40k a game for playing SOO, I'd want to play it as well if I was in the NRL!