Try asking Ashulster about the progress of the game in Ireland mate.

Pacific Cup highlights programme is on Friday 6th November.

as I was saying the other day, I dont feel we should be going with Promo and relegation from the 4N because I feel that teams should have to apply to a minumum standard off the field.
It also seems double standards that we dont have Promotion and Relegation from any of our top club competitions, but we deem it fit for the international game

I also dont feel that by France being well beaten this year in the 4N and then, probably, winning the Euro cup with ease they will benfit long term, they should be given three years to see if they can compete, same for PNG, in 5-10 years we could have a much more competetive 5N comp, it would also, possibly make the heritage teams like Tonga and Scotland look a bit closer to home.

I can fully see what you're saying, but I think it's a two-fold thing.
Firstly it's logistical. I'm 99% sure I read someone from the RFL and RLIF saying that there wasn't enough money to send the French down under. I don't know if that would be paid for by the FFR XIII or who, but that's what I read. Secondly if you give France a permanent place what happens to PNG or for example Tonga? What incentive do they have for winning Pacific Cup. Iestyn Haris has already said the European Cup in 2010 will be massive as it will be a possible springboard to the Four Nations.
Ideally I'd like to see The four present teams and PNG compete every year, alternating between the northern and southern hemispheres.

Its more than possible, it must cost a lot of money to put 20+ guys up for 3 weeks, and I know the FFR13 havent got that kind of money. but surely if the Cooks or Tonga make the 4N we would have to put them up as their domestic bodies couldnt afford it either, and its unlikely they would play their games in the islands.




I completely see your point, and dont think I havent thought about it, but TBH I dont think a team of Heritage players like Tonga should have the right to play in the 4N because nothing as such is going on in Tonga to make that viable. It might make Tonga sit up and take some notice and perhaps develop some real Tongan players. Or a country like the Cooks with 20,000 residents should be in the 4N at the expense of France who maybe have 20,000 people playing the game. I feel that grass roots effort should count for something.



Me too, I feel that those 5 Nations are the only ones with anything like the infrastructure, numbers, juniors, domestic comp that should be the minimum for the 4N, not some poxy 4 team comp with walkover games that is the minimum requirement for entry to the WC.

The RLIF apparently put $1 million AUS into the Pacific Cup. Profits from World Cups and Four Nations could be put towards such travel costs. However I'd prefer to see that money go into grass roots rugby league.
I'd imagine that a southern hemisphere Four Nations would be based in New Zealand and Australia only.


When I was in the Cook Islands I noticed people were interested in rugby of both codes and that they didn't really differentiate between the two. I have no idea about the domestic set up in either Tonga or the Cooks, but I agree with you Marv in that a country that ropes in a few heritage players or union players shouldn't be rewarded in any significant way. As you say this would hopefully act as a wake up call and kick start a 100% rugby league domestic programme.


An alternative I thought of this afternoon is that the winners of the European Cup/Pacific Cup get to play Australia, New Zealand or GB on the next tour. It would serve as a warm up for the touring team and provide valuable money for the host nation.

It's a two hour highlights show they'll be showing.

Friday 6th at 10pm - Repeated Early Saturday at 3am and 8am - All on Sky Sports Xtra.

Any one know the score from todays game, Tonga vs Fiji? Can't find it anywhere.

rlhttp://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/fiji-beat-tonga-in-pacific-cup/story-e6frfgbo-1225793119996rl

Thanks very much

rlPacific Cup final report.rl

PNG in the Four Nations in 2010. They'll be stronger than France so I'd expect to see a much tighter comp. Can't wait!