Chess and checkers is not a good analogy. It implies RU is complex, and league simple, and neither is the case. The off the ball movement, lines of running, structure of play in attack and defence, actions in contact (for both ball carriers and tacklers) are all complex elements of the sport. If you don't understand the sport, then it may well look as much like a game of British bulldog, and RU looks like kick tennis + pileon for those than don't understand it.

the cricket world cup is getting smaller too

World Rugby has dismissed Canadian players claims now

Surely Union are missing a trick.

They're pretty well funded in the established nations (mostly but not totally due to the number of well attended internationals they have) so surely strengthening the second tier should be their aim?

I know league aren't good at supporting the developing nations but I'm sure that's mostly due to the lack of revenue we produce.

The Aussies are bad for being insular but the money we produce from internationals is a pittance compared to RU or soccer and in recent years we've just been happy for a World Cup to not make a loss.

I know from being at college in America that RU is very well established but if the NRL could think a bit bigger and if Jarrad Hayne does ok then along with Canada we might have a small opportunity for growth over there.

Just seems short sighted from RU however I'm sure there's help behind the scenes we don't know about.

RU in Australia is run on a comparative shoestring despite income from internationals, with the Australian RU having to prop up several of the Super 15 teams. It's not that long ago that they were signing RL stars (Tuqiri, Sailor, Rogers) and the CEO boasted about taking over from the NRL in popularity. Jump forward a decade and they are barely breaking even, and have introduced new fees for all junior players and clubs to help prop up the whole sport. They tried to introduce a second tier national competition below the Super 15s level and it died after one year as it cost too much and oddly enough attracted virtually zero outside income.

Anyway, don't look to Australia to subsidise anyone else.

That's almost what I said before. Surely in Oz RU is about as popular as it will get. As long as they get the funds to break even then I would have thought putting that money into a developing nation would be the best idea in the long run.

Saying that from my trip over there and friends I know there it seems soccer is increasing in popularity over their and maybe that is the biggest threat for the other 3 major football codes over there?