International rugby league has been the poor cousin of the code for the past several decades as State of Origin, the NRL and Super League have taken over the mantle as the top echelons of the game. The likes of code historian Greg Mallory have long bemoaned the harsh reality that the international game has slumped to, at best, third tier status behind the aforementioned competitions.
In that context, yesterday’s announcement that there will be a new Pacific Championships at the end of this season and in 2024 will come as a real shot in the arm for international rugby league in the southern hemisphere. The new Championships will be played in both the men’s and women’s codes.
To read the full announcement from the ARL Commission click here.
There seems little doubt that this new competition is, at least in part, a politically savvy move by the Federal Government as it seeks to employ football diplomacy to counter growing Chinese influence in the region. Fair play!
The move also reflects an awareness by both the ARL and the NRL that the future of the code in Australia is increasingly dependent on players from the Pasifica region who currently make up about half of all players in the NRL.
The renewed international opportunities will also be a useful tool in fighting back against moves by other codes, especially rugby union, to sign up prominent rugby league players on the basis that rugby union offers greater national representation opportunities. The designations of Kangaroos and Jillaroos will pack some punch again.
For me, the best thing about this initiative is that it has the potential to promote and fund rugby league programs in the Pacific nations and, by extension, offer pathways to Pasifica players to aspire to the top competitions. Hopefully there will also be collateral benefits for the economies of those countries involved.
As they say in the classics, ‘sounds like a plan’!
To see the full draw for Season 2023 click HERE.
To see the full draw for the 2023 NRLW season click HERE.
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About Ian Hauser
A relaxed, Noosa-based retiree with a (very) modest sporting CV. A loyal Queenslander, especially when it comes to cricket and rugby league. Enjoys travel, coffee and cake, reading, and has been known to appreciate a glass or three of wine. One of Footy Almanac's online editors who enjoys the occasional editing opportunity to assist aspiring writers.
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