Disagree, the south of france is buzzing, I have friends who were season ticket holders at Lyon and now watch catalans as much as they can instead, many people around the country are behind them also. The same will happen when Toulouse get in super league, and then if the paris team can be 1/4 of the success then RL will take off even more in France.

You know my opinions on PNG.

North of England yes, but there are other success stories as well. There is still potential for other areas.

In Australia the NRL is massive and will continue to grow, its the best product in the world to sell!

There is plenty of potential for growth in NZ as well, their national side has just as much quality as aus, this is great for the game.

Wales is in such early stages in terms of the modern game, give them time, yes they will never be as big as Wigan and Leeds but surely it won't do any harm to have as many smaller clubs as possible playing the game even if they do only get small crowds, it will also do wonders for the Welsh international game.

There has been talk of Scotland and Ireland getting in on the super league act in years to come.

Look how well Ireland did in the WC, all be it with foreign players but their is potential.

Just go on Wikipedia and find out how many different countries rugby league is played in, I am not saying they will all develop competitions like the NRL as big as that but there is potential for smaller leagues and then building blocks for bigger competitions and inspiration to take into the international game.

I am not saying RL will take over the world, but it is currently no where near its potential, RU is making the most of what it's got, we however, are not.

I disagree in the long term they have the potential to be bigger, as they represent a nation,a nation with a love of rugby (admittadley manily union at this time), if they they can realise that potential is the question.

Sorry but Leeds and Wigan have been building for over 100 years. Even in that time maybe they will grow but they will never be able to take 30,000 to a cup final because everyone loves Union. Wigan and Leeds will get bigger in time as well.

spoken like a true shirefolk! Sadly it's the same attitude that has meant 100 hundred years on the game is still largely confined to the areas you mention. There's a spot on the NRL commision and the RLIF for you!

I want to try and explain this as simply as I can....it seems certain people don't get it.

This 'expansion' thing...it hasn't worked...and it wont.


I like milk chocolate

I don't like white chocolate

So someone decides to tell me from now on I have to start liking white chocolate.....and they run a big campagin to tell me I must start liking it.

But I don't.

And I never will.


So naturally I tell them to go forth and multiply.

Then I just continue buying milk chocolate.

The people that told me I had to start liking white chocolate wonder why their product didnt sell....and go bust.



This is Rugby Leagues idea on expansion.

You will NEVER be able to force upon the people that which they do not like.

EVER.

Yes union is more popular but isnt the whole exercise about converting this love of union to a love of league as well? how do you know how many they will be able to take to a cup final in say 20 years?

strange i thought australia took to rl rather well after we expanded the game over there.

or how about this.

You love milk chocolate

You've had milk chocolate all your life and think its the best ever. However milk chocolate is all you've ever tasted and as much as you love it it has become normal.

Then someone comes along and tells you that there is a new chocloate, white chocolate. They sell it in such a way that it sounds brilliant and you are all excited about tasting it. AFter the first bite you realise that it is actually very very good. Whilst you may always remain a milk chocolate lover you come to appreciate that there is aplace in your life for white chocolate and forever more indulge in it. If only you had had the opportunity to try white chocolate when you was younger!

Fortunately Barry the majority of people out there are more open minded and , to some degree more gullible to advertising and influnce!

I'm realistic at least.

In the near term we arent going to get 30,00 fans but how do you know what will happen in 20 years? if you have tried to sell the idea of sl to someone in 1976 they would have had you sectioned. You havent given me one reason why they cant get such attendances in 20 years. Maybe they will, maybe they wont but i see no reason to right them off before they have even really started.

I have. Too many people love Union and are arrogant to league. There will never be enough fans for that to happen. Even Hudds, the birthplace of RL cannot take 30,000 fans to wembley.

All your talking about is the present though, who is to say that if hudds reach the cup in 2020 they wont take 30k? do you not think the game can grow at all and will be fixed at present attendance levels. My baby nephew cant walk at the moment doesnt mean that he wont walk in the future, hell he might be the fastest man in the world one day for all we know now.

I agree it's possible, but it won't happen.

I'm sure we agree at least that we both hope your wrong.

just ignore league freak, dont ruin a good thread.

He isn't even here

im sure he is. look earlier up on the person derailing it

Your mistaken.

maybe, maybe not

they share very similar characteristics.

Anyone here been to Moresby?
PNG even?
I have, and I hate going there (for work)

Has there ever been a thread with a dallymessenger presence that hasn't been ruined?!

I havn't been, I have heard it's a bit of a tip and so what? So is Hull and we have 2 super league teams there



In all seriousness though, you only have to look at the bid and what it can do for PNG as a nation to realise its the best thing all round. Thats without even mentioning the massive fan base, the amount of people playing the game, the fact it's their national sport, it will help raise awareness of different issues, improve the economy, improve the world of RL and will hopefully all lead to a great NRL team and that one day may encourage Tonga and Samoa.. etc to do the same!

i hate going to melbourne and campbelltown but hey they have NRL teams

Never

You don't need a brigade of Gurkha's with you to go to Cambelltown.
PNG has little or no law enforcement.
You would not go there unless you had to.