Did it really matter who England are drawn against in the group stages of the 2013 World Cup? Nar!
Thing is, our sport is now in a position to expand slightly at international level, so whereas in 2008 it was the right decision to keep the top three together to try and limit the amount of one sided games; (I know what you’re thinking but, come on, nobody could have predicted how badly England would perform!) now, we can look to try and branch out a little bit.
On the face of it, mind, it’s still the same set up in terms of team quality. The Aussies and Kiwis are far and away the best nations in international rugby, no doubt. England are behind in third, and the likes of PNG, France and the emerging nations are in their own little clique, n’all.
Now, qualification to the World Cup, just like the Four Nations, is vitally important. Some have argued that the competition could hold 16 teams and I suppose it could, but what’s the point? It is almost as if international Rugby League was scrapped and started afresh just recently; the sport is structured better than it has been in previous years, no doubt. Anyone remember Aussie against Russia at the Boulevard in 2000? 110-4 that one - why wants to see a repeat of that?
As such, this set up means the emerging nations play each other in what you’d expect to be competitive games and then come across a big boy at some point if they progress - just look at how well Fiji did last time before bowing out to the Green and Gold!
And the teams vying for the last two remaining places: Italy, Lebanon, Russia, Serbia, Jamaica, South Africa and the USA, didn’t compete last time out - sounds like expansion to me, although we shouldn’t expect too much of these new nations - just be glad they’re on the right track.
Obviously, it isn’t as ideal as everyone wants it, but the Rugby League associations around the globe are taking a softly, softly approach to minimise the risk of bollocksing it up again - and all praise to them for that - because you’ve got to try and put to the back of your mind what you’ve seen before and recognise that the game is in the right hands now.
The stadium issue is one that interests me. The organisers have a tricky job of trying to get the right mix of capacity against the game which is to be held. Clearly, you don’t look at Ireland versus Fiji and think: ‘That’ll sell a big ground out’ - it won’t. If you look at maybe England v Australia, then you have a great chance for maximum capacity at the DW or KC.
So which stadiums are lined up? Well, there are a few you’d imagine would be in with a chance, but they haven’t been built yet. Cas‘, Wakey, Saints and Salford should all be in new stadia by 2013 but there is also competition to host a game from Doncaster, Widnes, Halifax, Harlequins, Leigh and, maybe surprisingly, Rochdale. The KC, DW, Millennium, Galpharm and maybe Headingley are probably certainties to get the nod. The final will be at Old Trafford.
So, we’ve given ourselves just under three years to put into place a tournament that will hopefully be competitive on the pitch, and financially rewarding off it. Let’s not kid ourselves, they’ll only class it as a success if their bank balance is in the black. Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to it.
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