This.

I actually think the RFL did a magnificent job bringing International RL back to Wembley - hard marketing was all over London and the internet and rugby league outlets, the radio mentioned the coverage frequently, it was on national TV and the pricing was absolutely fantastic for two international games. What the RFL could have done better, I do not know.

If you are a rugby league fan, you knew that this fixture was happening.

The failure lies yet again in the heartlands supporters who moan about having to go to Catalans, Quins/Broncos, Bridgend/Wrexham, having a "pointless" vs. Exiles fixture etc. etc.

Union fans turn up in droves to their international fixtures irrespective of the diabolical on-pitch product.

Diehard football fans must spend some serious cash following their teams around the country - around the world in some cases.

I do realise that not everybody can make the trip down to Wembley.

I'll go back to the point about the Exiles match. This was a superb initiative by the RFL and was marketed absolutely fantastically but the fans didn't really care about it when it was on their doorstep. It must be so difficult for new potential supporters to grasp why the sport's own core followers won't go to these games. But seemingly we'll happily pack out Wembley and Old Trafford for club fixtures? I guess England's lack of success on the international stage and the general lack of quality international sides in the world is a cause of the apathy and we'd rather just focus on our clubs, but this is one of the cases where the RFL are trying to build it - and the people won't come.

That all said - today we saw a relatively big crowd for a rugby league international with a surprisingly pulsating atmosphere and a genuinely competitive England side compared to previous years. And Wales' team of mid-range SL and part time pro players didn't disgrace themselves (although I hope we can get past the days that a 36 - 0 loss to the Kiwis is a good result for them soon!). All in all, a reasonable success and a fantastic day out.

Excellent post.

I went to that game and it was a fantastic day and atmosphere and I have enjoyed a good few internationals since. That said wild horses couldn't have dragged me to that game today I caught 20 minutes of the first half in the pub but international RL is such a joke that I can't even pretend to be interested in it these days.

I didn't go and I'm not a hypocrite!
I didn't go because I have been left disenfranchised from the national game by the acts of the RFL.
I regularly attended GB internationals in the past.
IMO the RFL have made us (England) a much weaker prospect by trying to strengthen the other home nations and France, and for me that was the beginning of the end as far as copeteiveness went at international level and has had a far more detrimental effect on us than your hatred of RU.
Our game is not national and to survive it doesn't have to be until it's ready, likewise at international level, it doesn't have to be huge and world dominating at all costs. Square pegs in square holes.
Against the best we need to be at our best, and that means GB, every year a three test series of the tri nations and use England v home nations to develop international players of the future if needed but to be honest the level is probably lower than SL level.
Bring back the tour games for home and touring sides against top clubs, representative sides and the home nations if needed.

I quite enjoyed the games entertainment via the tv and after reading most on here tried to wonder why we should have such a low attendance.

my personal reasons was I worked the saturday morning like a lot on here and just of late with rising prices you have to have the urge to go and for me it didn't sell.

the two headed games is a seller but lets look at the quality of the teams, Wales for all its decent effort keeping a low score line still came well short of competing and England can't must up a full squad neither and have had to rely on imports that are related or can claim nationality for being here a few years.

its a fact that as a Great Britain side we was far closer to competing which brought in the crowds expecting a fiery encounter and we got them, going back years ago when Morley got sent off at the galpharm for the head high we put up a fight.

trying to bring the french national side into the 4 nations never worked and it won't with the Welsh Scottish or Irish, we need to revert back to the GB squad.

I shall be attending the final at Elland road and expect to see a far better game than I did last time when we was absolutely embarrassed

Good post.

Although correct where was the hard marketing around the heartlands? Yes most rugby league fans knew the game was on but several of the younger end may have been playing or playing today.

My point is about trying to attract new fans not just the die hard league fans like people on here.

Last year I was approached by Doncaster rovers football club about sponsorship. This is the package I got:

16ft x 2ft board on the halfway line
Crowd facing (my choice as it was the side if the VIP boxes)
A box for any game I wanted
12 ground tickets to be used at any games I want
A signed team shirt

Upon arriving for the box game against barnsley we were greeted by champagne, escorted to our box. The club commercial director came to meet us. After the game we were asked to attend the players lounge and watch the man I the match presentation.

Now I hate football but I could not turn that package down and I still go and continue to go with clients who are football fans.

All for £900 + vat

After this I get constant offers, promotions for all events at the club.

What I am trying to say is we will have our die hard fans at club ad international level but promote from the grass roots up and attract more die hard fans. We are becoming a feeder sport for union so let the rfl help stop this. As I said in a previous post the actual days are always good but let's bring more die hard fans into the game.

This needs to be done in an efficient way, you mention promoted all over London? I live in Barnsley and have not seen a single poster, flyer through the door or anything. I still stand by my main point of yes we know the game is on but playing all amateur fixtures on the same day isn't going to help crowds.

Briefly on the England/GB thing it needs to be GB. I have no issue with Reed as he was born in England. The others however we should be using homegrown talent.

Poor crowd should have been at least 60000, we are supposed to be moving the game on!?
Rangi Chase exciting playing AT TIMES - my opinion is he is not consitently good enough through a game
for International duty.

Can't blame the RFL for this one. They put on two games for a tenner in a magnificent stadium. The real problem is why no one seemed interested enough to go.

The problem with international RL was perhaps best illustrated when the New Zealander made a hash of a kick, which allowed the Tongan to barge the Australian out of the way to score for Australia against England.

This is exactly why I and probably 10's of thousands of others are not interested in England, it's ruined the International game. How can Rangi Chase get motivated for England, he only chose us because he hasn't a prayer of getting in any other International teams. Good club man, rubbish on the big stage.

Excellent post, sums up my feelings to a T.

what a great and true post

Yes ,but other nationalities playing for Rugby Union national sides does not make any difference to their large turnouts for Union internationals.
Why are we so different?

Is it our inability to compete with Australia? I was fifteen the last time we won a test series against Australia, I'm fifty six now and doubt I will ever see one again.
Sure, we've had the odd 2-1 series defeat over the years but any game against Australia seems to have that air of inevitability about it.

Had we had our share of series victories over the years then I'm sure there would be more of an appetite for the international game.

I got 6 tickets £60 good seats 2 games can't complain although wembley is so expensive £4.50 for a pint of p@@s £1.20 for a packet of crisps and searched on the way in not for weapons but for any drinks or food I know allot of people moan about this but it is scandalous and I live down here