Who is the 4th strongest team at the RLWC?

Quote: gutterfax "
If the game is to grow internationally, then the national teams need to have more nationals in them......Italy getting a decent result against Wales will have little positive effect on the game in Italy if most of the team are Australians

Much of what you say is sensible, but this is the point I disagree upon.

You need to take into account the vast range of immigration into Australia, which makes for a very diverse, but not culturally integrated society.

The Italian community is a very good exmplar of the situation.

You ask any italian immigrant, (first second third fourth generation)what is your nationality, and they will respond 'Italian Australian', the same goes for the Greek, Lebanese, Maltese, Tongan, Samoan, Fijian etc. The socialogical ties with their mother country is so strong that they genuinely see themselves as Italian, and through the generations have maintained links with their homeland culture and language. They have strong family links with their homelands and are also seen in their own country as Italians (who happen to live in Australia).

I have no problem with this and is often quite healthy. the key is that there is a league structure in the homeland upon which to build interest and involvement when the Italians beat Wales and a couple of others at the world cup. And it seems there have been some good foundations built in Italy to accomotade the interest that an Italian representative team will generate.

Back to the origional post... I think that the Tongan team is incredibly strong, talented and organised... they will be tough to beat, even for the top teams.