Quote: gutterfax "Agree 100% with everything you say...especially the last bit. I have been attacked for saying it, called a Union Troll, a vichy collaborator and generally targeted by the self appointed defenders of the RL faith on here......but Rugby League, like it or not, CAN LEARN A LOT FROM THE IRB.
Seriously.....countries PAY the IRB to host the RUWC.....then these countries have to Finance the whole thing whilst the IRB manages to generate all the additional revenues from TV deals (individual 8 year deals to maximise potential revenue and Exposure) and merchandise....everything about their organisation is geared to spread the game and generate cash.
In the UK, lOCAL Union clubs, in the main, own their own grounds, clubhouses etc....league clubs generally don't. Union clubs receive funding from a central pool if required....the RFU are light years ahead of the RFL. Harlequins v London Irish got 75k fans for a regular season game and yet RL fans are fretting about a double header at Wembley not getting the 40k Saracens get for a regular game there.....the first attempt at and English SOO is being played at a 'SAFE" ground......
Australian SOO got 33k+ for their first game......the average gate for a regular season game that year????......9,881
This is where the NRL are streets ahead of the RFL.....but until the balance of power (and money) shifts from club to country, then league will always play second fiddle IMO...
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But why should it have to shift from club to country? Football isnt like that. In Football the clubs come first and always will. Union is unique in the sense that the national sides are the main attraction but thats probably more down to the fact that before it went professional who really gave a damn about club rugby union?
