It is time for rugby league to to grow the game in USA and Europe.
Perhaps instead of chasing the pot at the end of the rainbow the game should be looking closer to home the Pacific.
The recent rise of the Pacific Nations, Tonga in particularly has been an exciting revelation.
Rugby league's international showpiece is the World Cup. Every four years the best teams get together and other than Tonga's recent rise the World Cup has been dominated by Australia, New Zealand and England.
Apart from sporadic Test matches the international calendar has not been designed to accommodate the growth of Pacific Nations, something that is very disappointing for fans
There will be international representation in the future 9's competition that will open seasons to come but nothing in regards to full on 13-a-side test.
This is a huge hole in the growth and exposure as the game still needs to embellish rugby league into predominantly rugby union strongholds of the Pacific Nations.
The gap in between major competition also tempts some players to play for the tier one nations of Australia and New Zealand which continuously weakens the tier two nations such as Tonga and Samoa.
A suggestion to grow the game and to enable NRL players to represent their heritage is to incorporate a Pacific Nations Cup every four years on the alternative years of the World Cup year. In simple, a rotation of the World Cup then two years later a Pacific Nations Cup ongoing.
This is how the competition would work:
-8 teams
-2 groups of
-4 winners of each group playing in final
Teams
1. Tonga
2. Samoa
3. Fiji
4. Papua New Guinea
5. Cook Islands
6. Australian Indigenous
7. Aotearoa New Zealand Maori
8. Winner of Play off between other emerging Pacific Nations
Teams such as Aotearoa New Zealand Maori and Australian Indigenous to have their own representation may cause some controversy. However, the prospect is exciting.
The tournament should be taken to all corners of the Pacific and with the international rugby league governing body getting right behind the potential of the competition assisting financially and administratively.
By building on the success of the last World Cup a Pacific Nations Cup has all the hallmarks of what success looks like. Large loud enthusiastic crowds that only International games can produce.
A see of Red of Tonga, complete madness in Papua New Guinea who worship NRL players akin to that of India and Indian Cricket Players receive, mixed with the passion and pride of both Australian and Aotearoa Indigenous and non Indigenous fans would make for an amazing atmosphere.
Over to you international rugby league board you have a cash cow ready and waiting. You just need to open your eyes to the potential.
As a side note, the resumption of Kangaroo and British Lions tours have been slated. It would be great if an Indigenous Australian team could be scheduled to play on the itinerary of all British Tours.
Please let us know if a Pacific Nations Cup would be something you would like to see.