Future of the World Cup

[Coxy]

The 2000 World cup was an absolute abysmal failure. Poor attendances (not helped by inclement weather for the entire tournament in the UK) and the competition itself ran at a MASSIVE loss.

2008 shapes as more positive, particularly as there aren't so many games in Sydney where the game is dying a slow death. The vibe surrounding the game in Brisbane, Townsville and Gold Coast is massive and even a game between Fiji and Outer Mongolia would probably pack out. Hell, they get more than 5000 paying people to Roar games!

However, if the empty stadiums in Sydney are an indelible image of the tournament, and predictably Australia goes through not only undefeated, but without conceding more than 6 points a game on average, I fear that the World Cup concept will be buried.

So I hope everyone is getting behind the concept, and I trust referees are instructed to disadvantage Australia as much as possible, to the point of corruption. It will get the fans riled up and create atmosphere, and make the games more interesting with Australia only able to win by about 20 points, rather than 60.

What's everyone's thoughts on the future of the World Cup?

 

[Hamm.0]

I agree in regard to the ref's.

Better yet, fly in Kiwi BarterCard Cup and ESL ref's! Anything to make Australia less of a threat IMO.

Shouldn't this be in the World Cup Thread? Oh.....that's right.... [icon_shady [icon_shady

 

[Russo]

As hard as this is for me to say, and I am sure I will be lambbasted for saying it, I don't really care for it much at all at this stage. Might get excited closer to the even t but doubt it...........bast away Hammo

 

[Coxy]

Unfortunately Russo I think 99% of Australian league fans feel the same way. Poms will be getting a bit riled up, they always talk themselves up as a threat...but again, only if they supply the ref. Which they may with Ashley (de)Klein.

The only way Australians take notice of their national team is when they lose. Wayne Bennett's sneaky idea to let NZ win the 2005 Tri Nations and then heighten the furore by backdooring the media (oh the irony) and then resigning revived the international game for a year.

Then it got ruined when corrupt Australian club doctors started ruling out Kiwi players from end of season matches.

What the game needs is for a few club doctors to rule their Origin players out because they require urgent folicle implant surgery to prevent permanent hair loss and thus can't play Origin. Maybe that'd make the ARL and its corrupt medical professionals to stop cheating the Kiwis.

/tangent

Here's hoping for either England or NZ to flog the Australians in the World Cup final at Suncorp Stadium. The international game will suddenly get the recognition it deserves.

Vote 1 KIWILAND!!!!!!

 

[Hamm.0]

You know it Bro!

 

[Major JW Hochstetter]

and the competition itself ran at a MASSIVE loss.

On a positive note - apparently this time around, the tournament is now garunteed to run at a profit even before a ball has been kicked.

 

[Bucking Beads]

There shouldn't even be a world cup it is a waste of time. A normal Tri Nations would do the trick.

 

[Coxy]

Yeah, ANZ Stadium is paying $1.2 billion for games to be played there. You just watch, 3800 people will be there and they'll plonk an 8 on the front.

It's a full house! Listen to the roar...it's so loud the human ear can't interpret it.

 

[Fozz]

What the game needs is for a few club doctors to rule their Origin players out because they require urgent folicle implant surgery to prevent permanent hair loss and thus can't play Origin. Maybe that'd make the ARL and its corrupt medical professionals to stop cheating the Kiwis.

Coxy! [icon_ee

Hair Loss is a serious medical issue! It can lead to baldness and combovers!

 

[Coxy]

I totally agree! And the heat of Origin battle is no place for a man whose hair is going Bert.

 

[Jeba]

Screw the World Cup. Tri-Nations every year. The 3 nations take turns in hosting it.

 

[Sabu_2008]

We tried to get tickets to the WC Grand Final at Suncorp, but apparently its sold out. No one here in NZ can get tickets, and Ticketek.com.au isn't selling them either. They reckon there maybe a chance some will be released sometime this week.

 

[Hamm.0]

I tried to get tickets, it's sold out. You wait and see all the empty seats on the night. I fucking hate ticketek.

 

[mick]

Another batch of tix for the final on sale yesterday or today, I believe. Can't farrrking wait!

In terms of future of the World Cup, it's pretty simple for me.

The first part is MARKETING, and it's something the game (ARL, NSWRL, QRL and NRL alike) is absolutely abysmal at doing successfully. I really think they need to get to work and get people off their apathetic arses to the games. Just look at the IRB when it comes to the RU World Cup. They've got one, maybe two, more competitive teams in that event than in ours, and somehow ours gets lambasted in the press and people just don't care. However, the buzz around Qld in particular has been great for this, and I think strong crowd support will go towards making this a great experience for some of the smaller countries, which should hopefully attract good media attention and hope to grow the game further.

The second and simplest point is consistency. Do it every four years FFS! I'd love to see the contest shared around, too. RL is growing in leaps and bounds in countries like Wales and France in particular, both of which have the right infrastructure in place to host it. Australia, NZ, England, Wales, France... there's five host nations to cover 20 years right now. Play our cards right, and IMO the international scene will be looking FANTASTIC after those 20 years.

 

[mal]

There are currently A and B Reserved tickets available through ticketek.

 

[Dexter]

Yeah just got an email from ticketek, problem is its about 4 weeks late because I've already purchased crap tickets behind the tryline [icon_frown

 

[Sabu_2008]

Yup we got our tickets yesterday - we're fucking stoaked. None of us have been to Suncorp (well one has, my old man, but he has no idea abotu seating etc). Would anyone be able to tell us if the seats are any good etc? Not that we mind, though it'd be good to know!

Erea:EAS
Section:S319

 

[Fozz]

Erea: WTF?!?!
Section: Eastern stand about 30m line.