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NRL teams to play trial matches in Pacific nations

NRL teams will play pre-season trial matches in Pacific nations for the next three years.

The announcement, made by Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Suva on Friday morning, will see at least two NRL Telstra Premiership teams play an official trial fixture within the region in 2020, 2021 and 2022. The Australian Government have also included funding support for an elite-level rugby league team in Fiji to compete in the NSWRL Intrust Super Premiership.

Read more: https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/01/18/nrl ... c-nations/

Rugby league receives landmark support in Pacific

Rugby League in the Pacific received a significant boost today, with the Australian Government announcing support for NRL pre-season trial matches to be played in the Pacific over three years starting in 2020.

The announcement, made by Australian Prime Minister, the Hon. Scott Morrison in Suva, Fiji this morning, will see at least two NRL Telstra Premiership teams play an official trial fixture within the region in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Players, Coaches and Club Officials will be in-country for a number of days prior to each of the fixtures, to prepare and train, as well as participate in NRL and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) programs targeted towards promoting social inclusion, participation, equality and health and wellbeing.

The Australian Government have also included funding support for an elite-level Rugby League team in Fiji to compete in the New South Wales Rugby League Intrust Super Premiership - one of the two official second-tier rugby league competitions in Australia and the Pacific.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne said sport has been a longstanding element of Australia's engagement in the Pacific.

"These announcements are part of the Australian Government's commitment to the Australia-Pacific Sports Linkages Program which will deliver $40 million in grants over five years to support the development of sport throughout the Pacific," Minister Payne said.

"Sport has been a longstanding element of our engagement in the Pacific. This new program recognises the role and reach of sport as a major connection between Pacific and Australian people and communities."

Minister for Sport Bridget McKenzie said the announcement recognises the power of sport to bring people and communities together to build stronger ties.

"Rugby League is incredibly popular in the Pacific Islands and if we can translate that into greater grassroots participation, we know that it will lead to more active and healthier participants," Minister McKenzie said.

"Investment in NRL programs such as this in the Pacific is helping to promote healthier communities. We know that children who grow up playing sport are 10 per cent more likely to remain active as adults and fitter children are more likely to achieve better academic results."

The NRL Head of Government and Community Relations, Mr Jaymes Boland-Rudder said that today's announcement was a fantastic endorsement of the positive impact Rugby League has both on and off the field throughout the Pacific.

"We thank the Prime Minister, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, for generously supporting and raising the profile of the lasting impact Rugby League is making for women, children and men throughout the Pacific," Mr Boland Rudder said.

"The NRL trial matches, alongside the assistance provided towards funding the proposed Fijian-based team in the NSWRL Intrust Super Premiership, will have a profound impact in inspiring our proud and passionate Pacific neighbours and their communities."

The NRL will work directly with NRL Clubs before confirming which teams will participate in the Pacific trials at a later date.

The announcement in Fiji was attended by The Prime Minister of Australia, Hon Scott Morrison MP; Fiji Minister for Sport, Hon Praveen Bala; Executive Chairman, Fiji National Rugby League, Peni Musunamasi; NRL Legend and former Fiji International, Petero Civoniceva; Jaymes Boland-Rudder, NRL Head of Government and Community Relations; Fiji National Sports Commission Chairman, Peter Mazey; NSWRL General Manager – Football, Barrie-Jon Mather.

NRL media release

https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/01/18/rug ... n-pacific/

Hope the Raiders are quickly on board for a trial in Fiji!

Channel 9 once again does a Promo for the NRL season without a single Raiders player image or Raiders action shot. We get. 0.2 of a second for the Viking Clap.

Nine are a disgrace at promoting the whole of rugby league. Other sports and other Channels know how to promote the game across the board.

https://wwos.nine.com.au/videos/nrl/spi ... qjl1ouhjqb

Jordan Rapana, Nic Cotric or Jarrod Croker should be recognised RL stars.... There are kids I know that don’t know who they are because they don’t have Foxtel. What kid wouldn’t pretend to be Rapana scoring in the corner in their backyard if he was a household name


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They only promote teams in the markets in which they own TV stations. And then only in two of those markets! They're not promoting the code as a whole. They are an awful broadcasting partner.

That'll hold off the Chinese influence in the Pacific, SloMo? How's the wife doing?

greeneyed wrote: ↑January 18, 2019, 4:26 pm They only promote teams in the markets in which they own TV stations. And then only in two of those markets! They're not promoting the code as a whole. They are an awful broadcasting partner.

7 and 9 swapped Cricket and Tennis... be good if they swapped NRL and AFL

Sid wrote: ↑January 18, 2019, 5:04 pm

greeneyed wrote: ↑January 18, 2019, 4:26 pm They only promote teams in the markets in which they own TV stations. And then only in two of those markets! They're not promoting the code as a whole. They are an awful broadcasting partner.

7 and 9 swapped Cricket and Tennis... be good if they swapped NRL and AFL

Seven won't do that, probably ever. Unless the NRL becomes dominant in the five capital city market. Seven is now clearly the No. 1 network... they've just taken over cricket as they recognise it is the No. 1 ratings generator in the summer, leaving Nine with the second rater apart from the two weeks of the Australian Open.

The NRL had more aggregate TV viewers than the AFL in 2018. If the NRL is to become No. 1 winter sport, sustainably, as far as broadcasters are concerned, the NRL needs more than three of the five State capitals covered with teams. Expansion, sensible expansion, into Perth, at least part time Adelaide, is absolutely essential.

How an ‘angry’ NRL CEO Todd Greenberg plans to end NRL off-field atrocities

A “frustrated, angry and embarrassed” Todd Greenberg says he has laid down the law to all 16 NRL clubs, demanding their players take responsibility after a horror off-season.

The NRL CEO on Monday revealed that he’d delivered a stern directive during a phone hook-up with the game’s club captains, telling them to deliver a message to their players.

Read more: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... 7f58659f09

Greenberg vents frustrations at club CEOs and captains over off-field incidents: https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/01/21/cam ... game-deal/

If the NRL had refused to allow players like Lodge back... then perhaps someone might take this seriously.

He’s done it.. He’s ended off field atrocities once and for all..

Time that all contracts ensure that players are not remunerated for periods they miss due to off field misbehaviour.

Jack should not have been paid for the 10 weeks he missed.

And the NRL, media and ex’s-players need to move away from this ridiculous love of redemption stories for the likes of Lodge, Carney and Dugan.

Sid wrote:He’s done it.. He’s ended off field atrocities once and for all..

I can only imagine how sore his eyes are after all the eyeballing he has been doing.

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Not sure where to post this but somw great news going into the 2019 season with the nrl coming out and saying the refs will now encourage more free flowing footy by putting the whistle away at their discretion (as long as teams cooperate). Finally teams wont be penalised when a ref doesnt feel like it!

Apparently Referees are going to be more lenient this season on teams who play attacking football.

You only have to re-watch how the referees managed our two 2016 semi finals against Sharks and Storm to see how the refs support game management over teams who play attacking football.

NRL’s new refereeing policy aimed at minimising stoppages and rewarding attacking teams

The NRL is visiting all 16 clubs to reveal a new policy where referees will show on-field discretion for teams that employ an open and attractive game plan.

"Our objective is to see games as open and free-flowing as possible by reducing stoppages and increasing the time the ball is in play. We want the referees to allow the players to take centre stage. Teams that don’t co-operate and push the boundaries will have to accept the consequences of their actions," Graham Annesley said.

Read more: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport ... 97848c2aa6

Yep, the referees repeatedly reward the teams that cheat, stand off side, give away penalties in the red zone etc.

Games with a low penalty count can be better to watch, but only when the rules aren't actually being broken.

Queensland Maroons coach Kevin Walters has revealed Cameron Munster’s best Origin position

Cameron Munster may want Queensland’s No.1 jersey but Kevin Walters has revealed he aims to retain the Melbourne star in the Maroons halves as Daly Cherry-Evans’ long-term partner.

“Daly and Munster showed their worth [in the halves] in game three. With Cameron, he doesn’t realise just how good he can be at representative level. He has been outstanding for us in the five-eighth role.

Read more: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/state- ... b712ea9993

Referees picking and choosing when to penalise is horrible news for the Raiders.

Yet more scope for penalty Broncos

I read that article and it just sounded like they are making official what they have done for years. It's just now they will say certain teams didn't play along so those teams should stfu.

Yeah they made a decision not to blow the whistle in the Cronulla game when the touchie put the flag up...


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I just read that article about officiating and i cant even figure out what the **** these idiots are talking about?!
There is literally nothing said in all of Annesley's word!

haha, christ

Pigman wrote: ↑January 29, 2019, 12:53 pm I just read that article about officiating and i cant even figure out what the **** these idiots are talking about?!
There is literally nothing said in all of Annesley's word!

haha, christ

Basically all the rules are replaced by the vibe of the thing.

edwahu wrote: ↑January 29, 2019, 1:00 pm

Pigman wrote: ↑January 29, 2019, 12:53 pm I just read that article about officiating and i cant even figure out what the **** these idiots are talking about?!
There is literally nothing said in all of Annesley's word!

haha, christ

Basically all the rules are replaced by the vibe of the thing.

Haha it really is straight out of the castle. Jesus wept.
There is approximately a 99.98% this is a total and complete **** show.

edwahu wrote: ↑January 29, 2019, 1:00 pm

Pigman wrote: ↑January 29, 2019, 12:53 pm I just read that article about officiating and i cant even figure out what the **** these idiots are talking about?!
There is literally nothing said in all of Annesley's word!

haha, christ

Basically all the rules are replaced by the vibe of the thing.

Spot on. And the referees will have no reason to show any consistency... because now they can just say... well, in that instance we decided to let the game flow!

Its just... the flow

exactly, this seems good for the raiders but will be terrible.

we have been an entertaining team for years only to have the refs allow teams to be offside and the markers not square to shut us down, this just makes the whole game grey

haven't been able to read because of the stoopid news subscription

Like most things in life if the Telegraph thinks it is a good idea, it stinks. Either rules exist, or they don't. Penalties awarded according to the whim of a referee is half a millimeter from corruption.

I think we're finally getting closer to that #darkestdayinsport moment

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Cranky Old Man wrote: ↑January 29, 2019, 4:22 pm Like most things in life if the Telegraph thinks it is a good idea, it stinks. Either rules exist, or they don't. Penalties awarded according to the whim of a referee is half a millimeter from corruption.

Agree Cranky. Why have a set of rules to play by if each Ref can use their own interpretation. It is a recipe for inconsistency at best and question Mark's will hang over each 50/50 decision. Why has each recent season begun with changes to rule enforcement which has been to the detriment of the game??

“The policy I have instructed to the referees and their coaching staff is that they are to treat each game on its merit. I don’t mean they do anything other than that now but rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach to every game they should wait and see what unfolds in front of them and react accordingly.”

What? How are coaches meant to coach their team going into games based on this?!
Why not just award penalties when there is a penalty to award and get some consistency around decisions.

Taking a one size fits all approach to every game should be what they aim to do, not the opposite

Or does it mean they no longer go in with pre-conceived ideas or a tip sheet?


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roneel78 wrote: ↑January 29, 2019, 5:16 pm Or does it mean they no longer go in with pre-conceived ideas or a tip sheet?


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I very much doubt that we have seen the end of tip sheets... or "analysis" of what particular teams do...

edwahu wrote: ↑January 29, 2019, 1:00 pm

Pigman wrote: ↑January 29, 2019, 12:53 pm I just read that article about officiating and i cant even figure out what the **** these idiots are talking about?!
There is literally nothing said in all of Annesley's word!

haha, christ

Basically all the rules are replaced by the vibe of the thing.

It’s got inconsistency written all over it. You could start writing the newspaper articles now.