Quote Wellsy13="Wellsy13"Some of the reasons I've got so far:
They don't play enough games (lack of a regular schedule means people haven't got the chance to grow an allegiance to them).
Of the games they do play, only a few are meaningful (lack of importance in an event isn't attractive). '"
True. The Ozzies won't agree to it.
Quote Wellsy13 Of the games that are meaningful, nearly all are played in small towns and small venues (even the event games don't feel like an event). '"
Not true. Basic point- when was the last time an international sold out? You can't complain the venues are too small until there are consistently fans stuck outside. But besides, the 4 Nations at Doncaster for England-France was a brilliant atmosphere and a really well run event. And the RFL is taking a double header of the best four teams in the world to Wembley. What more fo you expect??!
Quote Wellsy13 And they don't win many of the important games anyway (lack of success, although this shouldn't be something we build a team on to be fair).
They don't have a regular schedule, and that schedule is announced very late on (people are unfamiliar with when they're playing, it shouldn't be hard work to find out).
'"
Not under the RFL's control. The RFL has a plan, it depends on the International board.
Quote Wellsy13Â
They don't represent everyone (many fans in the lower leagues feel alienated by the RFL, and England represent the closed-shop elite of Super League and not the whole structure). '"
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The national team represents the (coach's opinion of) the best team in the country. You may disagree about selection, and you may disagree about the structure if the RL pro comps, but until you can point to a Championship player who should be representing England but can't get a contract in SL or the NRL, this just doesn't make sense.
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There are other games on at the same time (forcing fans/players to make a choice isn't going to go down to well).
'"
Just not true. domestic RL stops for international competitions. Unlike soccer, cricket and rugby union.
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X, Y & Z play for England, and they aren't liked (over-emphasis on club loyalties sees fans despise players on what is essentially their own team).
'"
True. Heart of the problem. How can anyone boo Tomkins in an England shirt?
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The current coach is crap (lack of belief that we can win and lack of belief that we're doing something about it, although this links into the fact that we don't play many games to be able to say he's not good enough).
'"
there is a massive amount goes on behind the scenes. England RL's prep is cutting edge. Steve Mac leads this.
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We don't really know much about the opposition (not many people who watch rugby over here watch rugby from over there as well, so don't know much about them, and since there aren't that many internationals we don't get a chance to familiarise with them. On top of that, there isn't that much cross-over competitions at club level to help like in football for example, and I suppose union as well). '"
With NRL on two satellite channels, we know more than ever before. Union had an international game way before it's pan-national club game.
Quote Wellsy13Â Any more?'"
Uk sport in general grew out of teams representing communities. This remains strongest in RL. Hence the fan/club link in RL is strongest of all.
