Isn't Aussie Rules their National Sport?

Not particularly compelling evidence that the gap was briefly narrowed [ibecause[/i of that limit. A correlation is not necessarily evidence of a cause.

Our closeness can be overstated too. Here is the record in the 1989-1992 World Cuphttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989%E2%80%931992_Rugby_League_World_Cuprl

Australia won all their games, beating GB 3 times. Even then New Zealand were capable of turning us over and GB only finished ahead of them in the group stage on points difference thanks to more comprehensive wins against PNG and France. Across the whole tournament GB won 5 from 9, but 4 of those wins came against France and PNG.

Not claiming this to be the sole reason why but the last time I believe we were genuinely close to the Ozzies at international level that was the state of play domestically and IMO it is one of the contributing factors. Less overseas players and of a higher quality I think would benefit the national game in this country.

Dont agree that our closeness is overstated. The games were very competitive and the crowds very high in this country. International RL was a big thing and 50-70k crowds were achieved at Wembley compared to our struggle to fill the DW in 2009!

20k vs Nwz at Central Park in '89. 19k vs Nwz at Huddersfield twenty years later. 23k at the DW and 31k at Elland Rd vs Australia in 2009, compared with 32.5k at Headingley in 1990. Fair enough the 73k at Wembley was great.

My point is that their is no silver bullet of a plan that can get us competing with the Kangaroos. More Brits going to the NRL would help. It'd leave behind a weaker SL, at least initially, but personally I'm more interested in having a competitive, entertaining domestic comp than a high quality one.

There is no quick fix and certainly no fool proof plan to become competitive I fully agree but i do feel the attraction of International RU as one example should be reason to try to improve the international standing of the game in this country.

Less overseas players in SL, more English players in the NRL, the national team playing against the Anzacs each year (maybe in a series) will all help chip away at the gulf between the nations IMO.

Bottom line is players do want to represent their country on the biggest stage of that I am pretty sure and the RL version of this is currently not that attractive.

Nowt wrong with him, he was looking very good in the hooker position at the end, if he hadn't been quota he would have stayed.