Great article in the roar written last week (see below). International RL can be improved in many ways but the easiest and quickest way to improve the game is for England to win something. This year with Australia sporting a weaker team has to be the year (If not now then when else?)... Obviously if we were to win then the Aussies will have the perfect excuse....but what will they say when we don't? www.theroar.com.au/2014/10/13/ma ... by-league/

Great article in the roar written last week (see below). International RL can be improved in many ways but the easiest and quickest way to improve the game is for England to win something. This year with Australia sporting a weaker team has to be the year (If not now then when else?)... Obviously if we were to win then the Aussies will have the perfect excuse....but what will they say when we don't? www.theroar.com.au/2014/10/13/ma ... by-league/

Well the Fijian performances in RLWC have certainly helped the domestic game and raised the profile in that country so it can work if backed up with action on the ground in relevant country.

As for "saving" Int RL. I wasnt aware it was in danger? We have been losing to Australia for nearly 35 years, and yet people still enjoy watching test match RL. Go figure! NZ winning the RLWC hardly helped the NZRL, they are still skint and living hand to mouth year on year reliant on income from test matches.

Personally I loved watching scotland etc in the RLWC, some of the most enjoyable games featured those types of teams for me. Did it change the worlds sporting landscape? of course not but it was bloody good fun to watch RL played by these players who had pride in the country they were representing.

Never mind international RL, what do we have to do to SAVE ourselves from apocalyptic sensationalist posts every season?

Hello Michael,

After six seasons of licensed Super League garbage (2009 to 2014) my half empty glass is slowly beginning to show signs of being half full in anticipation of next season

I did tell you way back that 14 teams and a top 8 play-off format wouldn't work. Not enough money in the game and not nearly enough players of requisite quality for it to work. Playing standards collapsed accordingly. You were having none of it of course.

I think most of us preferred a 12 team competition to 14 teams bud. Doesn't take anything away from the quality i.e. I'm sure several players from Leeds' recent heroic sides would have been able to acquit themselves well in the NRL. We've seen what can happen when players get better coaching by the achievements of nearly every player who has gone down there. There are a few exceptions but those were, generally, players who weren't that special in Super League anyway.

I agree that improving the 2nd tier nations has to be the priority, if we can get the likes of France, Wales, Scotland, PNG, Samoa & Fiji to give the big 3 a game we instantly have a much better World Cup and 4 Nations tournaments.

I think the move to a more regular schedule of tournaments is a big step in the right direction though, the European nations at least seem to be playing most of the teams they fielded at the World Cup and the prize of winning a 4 Nations place gives something to play for.

As for the 4Nations, I think the injuries to England & Australia, and New Zealand being at home for their games with England and the Final if they get there should make it a very level playing field. Especially if Samoa pull off a shock against one of the big 3.