What is the NRL worried about???

[pjennings]

In the last week we have seen Australia qualify at the head of their group - 5 points and 6 goals on goal difference ahead  of Japan. In the same week we have been dogged by bad press in Sydney over an alleged nightclub incident.

We all suspect that is because the NRL and the News Limited are closely linked. However, it does seem localised to Sydney. What does the NRL have to worry about? The World Cup only comes around every 4 years.

However, when you look at it closer there is much to look forward to. We have qualified for the World Cup in the middle of next year.

With spots up for grabs players should be falling over themselves to help qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup over the coming months and with a decent team we should qualify in the top two of our group.

The middle of next year is the world cup.

December next year the result of our world cup bid is announced.

2011 the Asian Cup with hopefully a better showing than last time.

2012 - the Olyroos

2013 - qualification for Brazil 2014 and hopefully Confederation Cup

2014 - Brazil 2014

2015 - Hosting Asian Cup

2016 - the Olyroos

2017 - hopefully hosting the Confederations Cup

2018 - hopefully hosting the World Cup 

If things fall into place with performances and results on the field as well as in getting tournaments the NRL has plenty to worry about!!     

 

[snowroo]

I think the NRL and News Ltd have realised that far worse than being in the World Cup Australia getting the World Cup would be a virtual death sentence for the NRL. They are probably right. Sponsors would ditch the sport with so many incidents of misbehaviour, serious criminal accusations and charges and get a piece of the uncontrollable hype with years of build up that the media couldn't ignore. Our bid is possible IMO with Asia fast becoming a far bigger market in many aspects than that of Europe or the America's. Something that FIFA will respond to and may out weight  the time difference issue that many consider one of the biggest stumbling blocks. I have faith in Lowry he has done some incredible things with Football so far.

 

[pjennings]

From Frank Lowy's speech

The weight of the world is with Asia.
Asias political power is rising tremendously. Global institutions like the UN, the IMF and others are grappling with how to deal with this fact of life.
The wealth of Asia continues to grow. It is where the customers are for goods and services; and for football.
In fact, the biggest television audience for the World Cup, by far, lies in Asia, not Europe or America.

....
So in making a decision for 2018 and 2022 FIFA has an historic opportunity to go for growth and turbo charge the process already underway in Asia.

 

[FFC Mariner]

Nothing football does will "spell death for the NRL".

The 2 games co-exist well in the small part of the UK that play it and while football gets most of the $$ and publicity, RL survives. It just knows its place.

The issue here is one of primacy, Footballs ability to deliver big TV audiences and major sponsors will see it get more money and influence.

Add to that the NRL's chronic inability to solve its PR issues and there really isnt any need to be concerned.

Rothfield, Wilson et al are on the "losing" side and we just need to let the natural order assert itself