the NRL are now looking at putting a game on in the US at the start of the 2019 season. No firm news as yet but looks like being held on the west coast as it suits their flights, schedules etc

Bloody copy cats

You can fly Sydney to LA non-stop for about NZ$1,300 (£700), so I can see the benefit of a Sydney Derby being organised with official tour packages as well. That said, I'd be happy to fly to LA to see the NZ Warriors......

I hope it doesn’t rain.

There's an intresting interview with Jason Moore in this week's League weekly. I would just like to pick up on a couple of points he made (i am paraphrasing).

One of the reasons that Denver was chosen was because of the times zones (which I admit I hadn't considered). If they kick off at 2pm on Saturday, that's 8 am Sunday morning in New Zealand, 9pm Saturday night in the UK. Plus various timezones favourably in the US (lunch and Tea). Which makes perfect sense when you think about it.

There will be a game beforehand, though not sure who they're hoping it will have a local flavour.

40,000 is what's going to be considered as a par crowd. Less will be a disappointment, more a success.

It's the first of 3 games in consecutive years between England and New Zealand. Though no mention if they're all going to be played in Denver.

But it his comments on a couple of other things that caught my attention.

When asked about Lenaghan's recent comments. He said that what's really needed is 4 or 5 countries where RL is strong. Then you can look at things like a world league. Which kind of echoes my views.

And that his aim is to by 2025 have an 8 to 10 team elite competition in the US/Canada . With like football another league just below it. And to hopefully increase it in the future.
Which becomes intresting should it take off with regards SL's desperation to take over there, and would also raise questions about the likes of Toronto and other franchise's. If it's successful would they still want to be part of the English competition.

I wish them all the best........2017 RLWC Final got 33 people more than 40k in a stadium that averaged 31k for club games......I genuinely hope he can do this but I fear for the game as an international entity if he fails......and he's had to bribe the NRL with an opener in 2019 to get release of players for this.........and his company website and accounts are still very "sketchy"........

Looks like the game is at risk with the NRL not releasing players, not a disaster for us but rules out virtually the entire NZ squad https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/rugbylea ... australia/

Looks like the game is at risk with the NRL not releasing players, not a disaster for us but rules out virtually the entire NZ squad https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/rugbylea ... australia/

Maybe we'll see some of the SL based kiwis selected

Why? It's not as if the fans who'll be there would know them anyway.

Because if they do it will be a walkover which is not what the sport needs. Without NRL players NZ would be a team of Toyota cup kids supplemented with a handful of SL players.

England v Exiles haha

I think the game should be cancelled if the NRL won't release players.

Love the NRL but them guys and there views on international footy.