: Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:39 pm  

Thats why the solution will take many years. But a proper fixture list would encourage the likes of Calderwood and Brough to stick with Scotland.

The swapping makes international look very fake indeed, which is damaging to the game.

Its a case of making a long term plan and going with it. RL just seems to do what will "look" the bast at the time the decision is made.

just after a WC is the time to push on, but can anyone tell me the fixture list for Ireland, Scotland and Wales for the next 12 months? No, and thats the issue

: Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:49 pm  

The internationals have never been a big part of Rugby League, unlike Union where it totally dominates the sport. It's always been largely a club based sport with internationals as the odd special occasion.

If it brings in cash from Sport England for grass roots RL, then it's worth having the four nations, but don't expect it to actually go anywhere meaningful.

: Sat Feb 07, 2009 12:06 am  

the thing that made me laugh was Danny's last line "It's a no brainer..."

I'll resist the impulse to state the obvious

: Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:03 am  

Pepe wrote:

The internationals have never been a big part of Rugby League, unlike Union where it totally dominates the sport. It's always been largely a club based sport with internationals as the odd special occasion.

If it brings in cash from Sport England for grass roots RL, then it's worth having the four nations, but don't expect it to actually go anywhere meaningful.

Sport England don't demand a four nations, but they do fund "England" projects hence GB cannot be part of that. We need to tap into Sport Scotland etc... for funding for the Celtic nations but given it is such a minority sport there and their pot is much smaller than Sport England that is a problem.

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 8:14 am  

COULD BE WORSE!!

Scotland have mcormack in charge of their country lol.. At least we have a good manager in smith

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 8:58 am  

Jiffy Davies wrote:

COULD BE WORSE!!

Scotland have mcormack in charge of their country lol.. At least we have a good manager in smith

Im sometimes amazed people think Smith is a great coach, he was rubbish at Huddersfield for years and regulary finished bottom of the league. He then somehow got the Leeds job who already had a very good team. He's now England coach and picks garbage like Ade Gardner etc to represent this country.

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 11:37 am  

-VIKINGMAN- wrote:

Im sometimes amazed people think Smith is a great coach, he was rubbish at Huddersfield for years and regulary finished bottom of the league. He then somehow got the Leeds job who already had a very good team. He's now England coach and picks garbage like Ade Gardner etc to represent this country.

He wasn't "rubbish" at Huddersfield for years. Admittedly, he took over in the year they were finally relegated and was unable to prevent this. (They did show a marked improvement that year under him but there proved too much to do). He then went through their NL season unbeaten to take them straight back up. (Something SM was unable to do when we were relegated).

Huddersfield then produced a good first season back up. At Leeds he inherited a side of nearly men and turned them into the most succesful Leeds team in decades. Something people like Graham Murray, Dean Lance and even Doug Laughton had failed to do previously, despite the advantages in resources that Leeds have always had.

I agree with you that his tenure as England coach has been disappointing but I wouldn't denigrate his previous achievements.

: Fri Feb 13, 2009 8:48 pm  

thought you were gonna say we'd signed him then

: Fri Feb 13, 2009 11:58 pm  

The problem is not really Brough but the system. Kevin Rudd (RLEF) on the TotalRL admits it is a problem and is going to press the RLIF on some rule changes at least for the next world cup if not before.

I think its sad that players change nations just like this. I am proud to have played for Germany 6 times and would never even think about playing for any British national team in any sport at any level-simply because my heart would not be in it 100%. I think sometimes the managers/Coaches who pick the squads should be tougher and just pick players who show true commitment and are not likely to change "Nationality" when they feel like it.

I understand why the 4 Nations have been Split as it brings in MILLIONS of Pounds more to the game at various levels. To be honest GB was basically England with the odd exception. Scottish, Welsh, Irish Players now have more of a chance to represent their nation against other nations like Serbia, Russia, Lebanon, South Africa etc. Internationals will take time but things are going in the right direction. I would rather see a proper Scottish team than a team full of English/Aussie Heritage players.

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 11:43 pm  

u can't possibly change the international sides that you play for its just a joke
and clearly proves (as stated before in a previous post) that our international game is a joke
the rfl say they want rugby league to expand (never going to happen)
so what good will this do young supporters in scotland if their star player and captain doesn;t want to play anymore
DISGRACE