The Kiwis managed to win two one-off games in 2006 and 2008. Their team has otherwise been beaten consistently by Australia in one-off tests, test series and tournaments for decades. As have England/GB. Graham Lowe and others in NZRL obviously agreed with the need for a level above the NRL.



When it comes to the three nations of England, Australia and NZ, consider the following.
Firstly, when it comes to football, the English football structure does not facilitate success in the national team - it has not won a major international tournament in some time. Nor could one use the A League.

Secondly, the format of cricket is totally different, especially in Australia/NZ, where international players are barely involved in state/provincial cricket. Comparison cannot be made.

Thirdly, when it comes to Rugby Union, England has also underperformed consistently, and the clubs/country have been involved in conflict over control of the elite players and the game for most of the professional era.



The games of 2001 to 2002 already proved to be a series of intense, worthwhile fixtures. 2003 ended up being one-sided, which is no different to State of Origin, or to many NRL fixtures and countless Super League fixtures. Notably in 2002, when the RFL ran a two match Roses series, GB won the test series against a good Kiwi team (as opposed to the poor Kiwi team they defeated in 2007). GB also won the first Ashes test in 2001.

Super League has seemingly fallen in intensity with expansion to 14 teams. This year, 58 of 160 games, or over 36%, have been won with a margin of 20 points or more. 8 games have been hidings of 50 points or more, culminating in the Wigan's 58 nil defeat of Catalans, Warrington's 58 nil defeat of Quins, Saints defeated Hull KR twice by 54 and 56 points. 10 margins in the 40s, 13 margins in the 30s.

Meanwhile, in 2001 to 2003, there was one large defeat in the Roses series, out of 4 games. 25% of those games.

So you are saying there aren't 40,000 rugby league fans who wouldn't take advantage of an event that is included in their season ticket to see the best 34 British players take aim at each other. Wigan and Leeds must be playing in front of cardboard cut-out fans tomorrow if that is the case.

Sadly for the sport yes I am saying exactly that.

So this is the last generation of rugby league in the UK, with fans replaced by cardboard cut-outs at SKY's request and flatcappers deeming a free ticket included within your season ticket as too expensive, saying "at least Dick Turpin had the decency to wear a mask!"

If you build it, TheY will come, especially if it's free!

Firstly we make the amount of league games smaller
by shrinking the amount of teams in a league

split the teams into two top leagues

West Division - East Division
11 teams - 11 teams

top 3 West v top 3 East in playoffs against each other

league games reduced by 4
playoff games reduced

leave plenty of room for gimmicks, etc

For me there are 2 options to create an event and a meaningful fixture to improve the england team at the top level.

England v Yorkshire is the logical choice.

But instead I would like to see the current SL champs play England in a new club v country game at their home ground.

It would be a real test, I could see some great pr opportunities surrounding a club v country game and a full house.

I would also like england still to play the winners of a wales V france fixture each year.