Terrific news.
I've never understood why Aussie rl doesn't make a big move into the Pacific Islands.I may be wrong but I would have thought for a relatively small amount of money,they could seriously develope local/domestic leagues in Tonga,Samoa,Figi etc.I'm sure they would more than get a return on their money by developing local talent and significantly improving international rl. - am I wrong here?

Will they get 1 in 5 people to every game?

Im sure that we could do a huge amount more with the Pacific Islands.

I can’t imagine players are really ever likely to complain about going to an island paradise for a few weeks to play RL and I can well imagine that if Wales are willing to pay hundreds of thousands to put on the Magic Weekend, then somewhere like Fiji would be interested in an enlarged WCC or international tour.

7 million in png. NQ cowboys get people travelling a day to get to games from FAQ Islands, I'm sure they could for NRL and test matches.

Quote ="SmokeyTA"Im sure that we could do a huge amount more with the Pacific Islands. I can’t imagine players are really ever likely to complain about going to an island paradise for a few weeks to play RL and I can well imagine that if Wales are willing to pay hundreds of thousands to put on the Magic Weekend, then somewhere like Fiji would be interested in an enlarged WCC or international tour.'" So much untapped potential. www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6532782944

Quote ="SmokeyTA"Im sure that we could do a huge amount more with the Pacific Islands. I can’t imagine players are really ever likely to complain about going to an island paradise for a few weeks to play RL and I can well imagine that if Wales are willing to pay hundreds of thousands to put on the Magic Weekend, then somewhere like Fiji would be interested in an enlarged WCC or international tour.'" So much untapped potential. www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6532782944

If they're as passionate as people say they are I don't see why not. It's not unheard of in sport. Can think of several British football teams who've had an average attendance close to that, relative to the size of the towns they're representing.

Burnley Football Club has an average attendance of around 15,000. Burnley has about 80,000 residents. Admittedly support is drawn from a few surrounding towns (Padiham, Brierfield, Colne, etc) but it's hardly a high profile team that attracts glory hunters. It shows that 1/5 or even 1/4 is a possibility if the sport is big enough.

I think a nation like PNG, if they're as mad for rugby league as people reckon they are, could hit about 50,000 a game if a team played at home in Port Moresby. I don't think a PNG team in the NRL is likely for a few reasons, but if they had a team I don't think huge crowds would be an issue. Especially as I don't really see any competition - It's hardly like England or Australia where there are several large sports competing.