Nobody thought the timing is not a little strange just after the fixtures released. I am sure the RFL have been kept informed but still released them including London.

I see what you are getting at but to put it into greater context:
Sydney is Australia's biggest conurbation where rugby league is the number one winter sport. None of those games at the SCG are in the last fifty years and were played at a time when international rugby league was more competitive - I believe France won both of those test series. It was also at a time when Australia probably felt more isolated as a country and welcomed any international opposition. Today they are spoiled with the best quality club competition and state of origin series so with Australia being so dominant, international rugby doesn't have the same interest and wouldn't get anywhere near those crowds today. They even played the 2008 final in Brisbane because they didn't think they would get as big a crowd in Sydney.
London is England's biggest conurbation where rugby league is barely on the radar and the fan base is generally 200 miles away. The 1992 match at the top of your list was a one off world cup final off the back of some heavy promotion in London and two closely fought ashes series, where arguably GB should have won the 1990 series.
The nearest comparison I would say is at the bottom of your list which was the centenary world cup final. This was the last winter season and everything stopped for a month while the tournament was played.

I think we probably could do better but it in all fairness it was a damn fine effort.

What, do better than the best attendance for 21 years? Wow, there is nothing like setting high targets.

Chile

When looking at historical precedents, it's also probably worth considering that we're currently in the depths of a recession so deep that many working class people are making a choice between feeding themselves or their children; bear in mind also when making comparisons to the duller code, that the demographic of that brand of 'rugby' tends to be largely made up of people to whom a recession is pretty meaningless, whereas TGG is traditionally supported by those very same working class folk who are being squeezed from all sides, and not in a good way. A trip to Wembley for the majority of heartland RL supporters, cheap tickets or no, entails transport and accommodation, so it's in no way a cheap weekender.

Given all of the macro-factors, I think the attendances at this World Cup have been creditable; what I have less confidence about is the ability of the old duffers at Red Hall to carry that positive momentum forward - if they've got any sense, they'll retain the services of whomever was in charge and give him a marketing role at the RFL.

Excellent point re:social strata from which RU 'supporters 'come .
Many who attend RU internationals never attend other RU matches.
It is a form of' social climbing ' and in to say I was at 'Twickers.'
I have relatives who do not know one of a rugby ball from another, but regularly attend RU internationals.
They and their friends also look down on RL despite the fact they know nothing about it.
I have tried to engage them in intelligent conversations re. the two codes, as I actually watch both, but the ignorance is amazing /alarming.
Now I avoid them,even at funerals and weddings.











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