What a game......

it was a brilliant game I havent seen much nrl or state of origin for a couple of seasons - it was an absolute pleasure to watch, intensity was fantastic.

The Big Fella............maybe not mis-quoted him, but only printed what he wanted to in order to make it a story.
They are very good at only recording half of the conversation......the same as they do with the pollies...

Do you honestly think anyone involved in rugby league would get rid of SOO.
Be like having a roast dinner with-out the beef/chicken....no-way!!!

Yorky, I hope Sky did the game justice with it's telecast, because it was the quickest SOO game I have ever seen.
In the lead up to the game they showed a few older games prior to wet the appetite and I think the game has got quicker then those great games in the 90's we had....absolutely bloody fantastic.

I tell you what does puzzle me SS is the lack of enthusiasm that a lot of people have in Australian Rugby League for international football.
Can't these people see how international competition raises the profile of any sport. can't they see that if it wasn't for international competitions union wouldn't have the money it does nowadays in promoting the game worldwide. Can't these people see that a strong international game would bring lots of extra money to Australian Rugby League via sponsorship. Why are some people in Australian Rugby League so insular?

Not sure it's lack of entusiasm Big Fella - the vast majority of us fans (if not all!) can't get enough of the international test matches and world cup matches.

However, the fact remains unfortunately, that despite our enthusiasm - rugby league is still essentially a NSW-Qld thing...and parts of southern NSW have to compete with Aussie Rules.

In terms of participation it's (for 2010)
Aussie Rules 700,000 registered players
Rugby League 480,000
Football 400,000
Rugby - tiny here, barely 90,000 registered

Television ratings (cumulative for 2010)
Rugby League 120 mill
Aussie Rules 112 mill

So while it's big here - it's nothing compared to football in the UK or US football.

I'm sure our RL promoters would love to see greater participation, revenue & sponsorships in the game but unfortunately, apart from UK, NZ, Aus and a few PI nations - it is not a huge sport, although numbers & $ are growing as steadily as possible - given our capacity to expand the game worldwide.

The major winter sports of OZ in television land is Aussie Rules & Rugby League, it will always be neck & neck between these two and there is plenty of room for both sports to play side by side because they are vastly different to each other.
Personally AFL is a game that you have to attend to get the entire picture of the game with it's huge grounds and wide open spaces where R/League is a great game for television with it's in your face defence and hard earned yards up the middle.

The Big Fella , asked the question of crowds for internationals.
I personally love the Aus Vs Eng matches but I have never been to see a test between Aus Vs N-Z because even though I will watch it on the tele I've never felt the need to spend big money on it..........it just comes down to preference and I love any sport against the poms.
Come Oct-Nov when the test's are played the summer sports have also started and people have more then likely had enough of League by then. Without wanting this to come across the wrong way.....the sooner England get a side capable of beating OZ the crowds will return because the 30 year olds walking the streets of today have not witnessed anything but some easy victories with a couple of scares tossed in......Cheers

Just on something (linebreaker) said...........

Television ratings (cumulative for 2010)
Rugby League 120 mill
Aussie Rules 112 mill

So while it's big here - it's nothing compared to football in the UK or US football. (Gridiron)

Yes indeed, these figures are nothing to be compared with in the U.K or USA.
But these two sports AFL and especially league will out do any other sport or t.v show any other network will put up against it. That is why the t.v rights have been quoted so high in comparrison with the super/league.

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