I appreciate the concern for the bottom line but 63 years is too long for the current World Champions to wait. Longer would be criminal.

I see no fundamental problem with your idea but if it were to happen the RLWC Final would need to be in Auckland and New Zealand would need to receive the lion's share of games; unlike the arrangement in 1968.

Touching on your idea...

We could, for instance, play a 16 team tournament with quarters:

Quarter...Port Moresby
Quarter...Christchurch
Quarter...Sydney
Quarter...Brisbane
Semi...Wellington (in honour of Baskerville's place of residence)
Semi...Brisbane/Sydney (bids)
Final...Auckland

Bulk of games in NZ centres such as Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Rotorua, Christchurch, Greymouth (to represent RL's dominance of the West Coast), Dunedin (to represent our struggle against discrimination in Otago) for example...

I think the 2017 World Cup could be held solely in New Zealand IF they already had a second team in the NRL. I'm sure Gijou and the other Aussies/Kiwis will know better than me but the idea of two New Zealand based teams in the world's best rugby competition really appeals. It opens the door for 'Island of Origin' and of course a bigger pool of players for the New Zealand national team.

I have to say Dico that I'm unusually confident about the 2013 World Cup. I'm already saving up as my idea is to take the month of work and get to as many games as possible. If the fixture list is sorted and tickets go on sale early enough I see no reason why we shouldn't see full houses and plenty of interest.

My thoughts were quite similar.

The idea was to tie it in with the introduction of a second NZ team in the NRL. Whether before or just after I think doesn't really matter although I could be persuaded to one course over the other.

The reintroduction of the NZ 'State of Origin' - the traditional North Island/South Island match - is another part of it. This has been a sad loss for the New Zealand domestic game.

I would have half the competition played out of Aus and half of NZ as to cut down on travel costs between nations and teams could be based out of one camp/city for the majority of the tournament. Two quarters in NZ and the winners playing in the NZ semi and vice versa in Australia imo. I dont know of many stadiums and their (potential) size in PNG, would they be able to generate revenue for a quarter final?

Lastly the final in Auckland would be a great idea but isn't Mt Smart the biggest stadium and only holds 35,000? Is there a 'national stadium there'?
I think it would be fantastic to see games like for example Fiji V France in places where international rugby hasn't been seen in this generation however I'd definately be looking to hedge my bets with Australia. Two different cultures and a large geographical spread playing out of one competition, would be fantastic.
Lastly I hope Wales and possibly France gets games in '13, I know the WRL are in negotiation with the RFL and third party sponsors about using the Racecourse for Wales' games. A WC should be played in a region, not a specific country imo

I actually wrote out an in depth response before hitting the delete key and my browser took me back a page losing everything so I've kept this one pretty short.

Catalancs, it's when you see things like the turnout for the All golds game in RL heartlands, or not being able to sell the DW out for games against Aus or the pathetic crowds for last years Euro cup that really worries me.

You seem to be forgetting that your fav sport will be assisting with some ground improvements for next year's kick-a-thon.





PNG are getting a new stadium in Moresby.

I also think it is about time that Baskerville's contribution is properly honoured.

The RLWC could in fact be named after Baskerville given Paul Barriere's (another natural candidate for the honour) reluctance for it to be named after him. We should, in my view, respect the (late) man's wishes in that regard.

After all, Baskerville did give his life for the game at the age of 25. During peacetime.

I don't think the World Cup should ever be named after a person.
How about renaming the Golden Boot? but it shouldnt be the wc

And which spelling would you use

Without Baskerville, there would be no international game.

You guys would, at best, probably be playing amongst yourselves within the UK.