Quote: Doom&Gloom Merchant "I'm not sure it is.
If you're following football as the model, with each country having it's own professional league then you're right, but even football recognises that there needs to be a higher level of competition across countries (The Champions & Europa league).
They do but these are a secondary competition to the national league comps.
In Rugby Union, the Super15 comprises of teams from SA, NZ and Australia, with sides from Argentina and Japan (I'm not sure if they've joined or set to join). Then there's the Celtic league with sides from Ireland, Scotland & Wales.
Again this is a secondary comp to the national leagues
Canadian sides compete together with American sides in a number of sports.
They have a big grass roots set of leagues in these sports
NZ don't have their own RL League, yet are more than competitive.
They have a big grass roots set of leagues in these sports
I agree, in an ideal world, each country has their own strong domestic competition, but I don't think it's necessarily vital to international competition/growth.'"
I'm not saying I know the answers to this but I do feel by 'implanting' a team that will no doubt be staffed by Aussies, kiwis and Brits I wonder if it will generate enough interest to start up a league or are we building walls before foundations.
Its similar to having an NFL team in the uk, it will be well supported but ultimately it will be a team full of americans playing for us.
Hope I'm wrong and its a raging success and I wont knock anyone for trying.