just used them as examples

Either Rhinofox or big picture's are the best ideas by far.
Think I'd rather see a quarter final myself though

They need to get it finalised as soon as possible though.
Tickets should be on sale at club games and in club shops at least a year before the actual world cup.

Russia are good enough to contribute club teams to the Challenge Cup.
USA should (fingers crossed) have a fully professional league by then - in which case it would be madness to not have them in the World Cup.


The 2009 Lebanon national squad (20 players) had a grand total of 4 players from Lebanon, the rest from suburban clubs from NSW. Also, Russia beat Lebanon 80-0 last time they met in 2008.

When was the last time Russian teams played in the Challenge Cup?
IF the US league is up and running then definitely.

no they aint, they pulled the ruskies cos of cost and cos they kept getting thumped by everyone and sundry

so because lebanon did what every other nation does they shouldnt be allowed in the comp?






you conveniently forgot the two results lebanon got over russia in the qualifiers i see

last year.

every one of the USA squad in 2009 was from the domestic competition. cant find the Russian squad anywhere, but they traditionally have always used domestic players.

even Jamaica managed to rustle up more than 4 local players for their 2009 squad.

The last WC was the best tournament I have seen. Every game I watched was a contest and even the so called "minnows" put on good performances. I'm pleased it is going to 14 as I was sad to see Lebanon miss out last time, their inclusion could have been massive in Sydney.

The highlight of the last WC was watching Samoa playing Tonga and watching the fijians and the irish play, build on that and keep the big 3 seperate.

It's the 10 2008 teams to go through automatically with Wales and Cook Islands to get two spots and the other two coming in from two tournaments with 8 nations.

That's what I've heard from [isomeone in the know[/i.

Quote: saints35 bulls0 "The 2009 Lebanon national squad (20 players) had a grand total of 4 players from Lebanon, the rest from suburban clubs from NSW. Also, Russia beat Lebanon 80-0 last time they met in 2008.'" That was only because the team couldn't get visas to travel to Russia, and ended up sending a bunch of juniors. They beat Russia 48-0 the previous year. RL is massive in Lebanon, it's played nationally and they have government recognition. I'd say if they keep up the current rate of development then it has potential to be the national sport there within 10 years. They are one of the strongest and most progressive nations we have, it would be madness to not allow them to play. I wish we had 10 more nations like Lebanon. www.lebrl.com/index.php

Quote: saints35 bulls0 "The 2009 Lebanon national squad (20 players) had a grand total of 4 players from Lebanon, the rest from suburban clubs from NSW. Also, Russia beat Lebanon 80-0 last time they met in 2008.'" That was only because the team couldn't get visas to travel to Russia, and ended up sending a bunch of juniors. They beat Russia 48-0 the previous year. RL is massive in Lebanon, it's played nationally and they have government recognition. I'd say if they keep up the current rate of development then it has potential to be the national sport there within 10 years. They are one of the strongest and most progressive nations we have, it would be madness to not allow them to play. I wish we had 10 more nations like Lebanon. www.lebrl.com/index.php

An entire squad of Lebanese domestic boys probably wouldn't be able to compete at the level they are playing, but it is important they don't drop down to maintain interest and government backing. I know what you are saying, but it's also good for the Lebanese domestic players that do come in to play at a higher intensity. Remember they are still relatively new to the game. Also, why shouldn't they field their strongest national team? I don't see too much of a problem with the team fielding ex-pats, so long as there is genuine development work and pathways for the domestic players. It's different to France artificially fielding Australians due to the residency rule, and the Lebanese don't tend to switch nations and also play in smaller tournaments, so they seem pretty committed. I think they consider themselves as Lebanese first and foremost.