ME is basically right. the differences are historically and to date, the sheer clout behind the RU movement; and secondly the ability and the resources of those running the respective sports (whlek stalls and Walmart springs to mind for some reason).

The RUWC is indeed huge but for how long has it been? It has been an object lesson in how to get from A to B, Peter Deakin himself would have been proud.

Tbf RL has of late dipped some toes into the same waters, but sadly has neither the personnel, the resources or, critically, the international will to genuinely compete in such events.

However I am happy that of late our WC has become a genuine major event, and we have gone for and been rewarded by an event and crowds and coverage that has considerably exceeded expectations. Whether that will be kept up, though, is the question.

It is true we have much the better sport, even though RU has subtly incorporated more attractive RL-style features and will continue to do so, but you can't beat a sense of major event to attract people, and RU are masters at that. It works too - see our smaller-scale WC successes with the same approach.

I don't easily foresee the demise of RL but it is not impossible depending on the Australians view of international sport. But undoubtedly SL clubs have all got financial problems - in the sense that many struggle to pay the salary cap, sure, but I mean more in the sense that not one club is anywhere near being able to pay a NRL size salary cap) and so cannot attract a squad of elite sportsmen. I don't see floods of money coming any time soon, and so it will be difficult for SL clubs to both survive and remain genuien top level sporting clubs unless they can extract significant funds from somewhere other than central funding, which is the key, such as for example that used to acquire and pay the likes of Sam Burgess and before him SBW.

Given that you seem to struggle understanding the meaning of the term "World Champions" it was probs be futile for Rarebreed to try and explain because I am not entirely sure that you would get it anyway.

Is it just me or does this thread seem to be drifting, aimlessly and inexorably, towards its natural end?

Y'know, like that last bubble in the bathwater, going ever more quickly, round and round the plughole awaiting its turn for the drop. As said above, there's little other entertainment right now, but even that sad fact is providing little solace.

Bulliac - Yes!

It would be futile to ask, as the post was not by Rarebreed but by M@islebugs.

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