As the eyes of the Rugby League turn toward the international season, I will look at the qualification process for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup and why the RLIF got it so wrong. I will also have a look at the host selection for 2021 and what that announcement means for International Rugby League.
Two days after the RLIF released the latest world rankings (and almost three months after I called for the RLIF to do it), the RLIF finally released the qualification process for the 2017 World Cup. The RLIF announced; how many teams would compete in the 2017 tournament, how many teams would qualify automatically, who could qualify, and how teams could qualify. The RLIF announced that fourteen teams would contest the 2017 World Cup (the same amount in 2013). It could be argued that the RLIF should expand on the number of teams (after the RLIF expanded from ten teams in 2008 to fourteen in 2013). If the 2017 tournament was in Europe, I would agree to the expanded tournament. Given the large crowds for the 2013 tournament, however, given the tournament is in Australia and New Zealand, I would be worried about crowd sizes in an expanded competition.
The RLIF also announced that seven nations (Australia, New Zealand, England, Fiji, France, Samoa and Scotland) would automatically qualify for the 2017 World Cup. What is interesting about this is that those seven countries are seven-eights of the quarter-finalists of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, the eighth? The United States of America. Now, why doesn’t the U.S.A. qualify automatically? The RLIF has introduced a new qualification process, which will only allow full-test member nations to compete in the World Cup. What does a country have to do to be a full-test member nation? Well, that is a good question, and the complete process a country must fulfil is at the bottom of this post. The current Full member test nations are Australia, Cook Islands, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, Jamaica, Lebanon, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Samoa, Serbia, Scotland, Tonga, Ukraine and Wales. Out of the counties who competed in the 2013 World Cup, the U.S.A. and Italy are the only countries who are not Full member test nations. The reason for this is that the game in those two countries has a rebel league, competing with the league recognised by the RLIF as the official governing body in that country. My problem with only allowing Full members to compete in the World Cup is that affiliate countries must only meet the criteria. I believe some full member countries may not meet the requirements if they were applied today.
The remaining seven spots for the 2017 World Cup will come from the following regions: Europe (3), Asia/Pacific (2), Americas (1) Middle East/Africa (1). If you look at this based on the competing nations at the 2013 tournament, the RLIF has cut one spot from the Pacific and given it to Middle East/Africa. What is also interesting is the creation of the Middle East/Africa group. Given that most Middle-East counties are in Asia, Asia/Pacific should be given three spots (as it is unlikely any country in Africa would meet the qualification to become a full member). The RLIF has stated that Affiliate member nations can qualify if they gain full status in the interim, meaning qualification will be open to any country that plays Rugby League as long as they meet the affiliate process. The RLIF states that all four regions (Europe, Asia/Pacific, Americas and Middle East/Africa will reveal their qualification process by October (given that it is mid-October, I would not be surprised if this is delayed, although Europe has mentioned how Ireland or Wales may qualify for an automatic spot). The RLIF has stated that the nations taking part in 2017 would be confirmed by 1st December 2016. Having the nations qualified a year out from the tournament has been the practice in the past two World Cups, allowing countries a year to prepare to compete in the tournament and plenty of time for fans to sort out their plans to see the tournament.
The 2013 tournament was launched in November 2010, a full three years before the tournament final. Given we are three years from the 2017 World Cup, it will be interesting to see when it is launched, especially given the tournament is hosted co-hosted by Australia, and Australia seem to be inactive in promoting the international game.
Recently the RLIF announced the bidding process for the 2021 World Cup. Given the RLIF had a November 2012 deadline for bids to host the 2017 World Cup and the RLIF announced the hosts of the 2017 World Cup in February this year, this is a massive leap forward. When the RLIF board meets in the Week leading up to the Four Nations final, they will decide the competition format, structure and qualifying process for the 2021 tournament, with expressions of interest for the host to be sought in the first quarter of 2015. Invitations to tender will then be sent out to those countries that express interest, with an evaluation committee appointed, with bids to be submitted during the first quarter of 2016. The host will be selected by October 2016, giving the host nation four full years to prepare for the 2021 World Cup. Given the RLIF has announced this process so early, it could mean one of two things; 1. The RLIF would like to award the World Cup to a country that has never hosted before (given that a country may have never hosted a Rugby League tournament, it may need extra time to prepare everything) or 2. The RLIF is beginning to act like an international professional body instead of a body that seems to be making things up on the run. Either way, it is great to see the RLIF with foresight, and hopefully, Nigel Wood and his team at the RLIF will have a CEO and permanent offices in place by the end of the year.
And Another Thing: It is a shame the Australian Kangaroos have decided they wanted a year off in 2015 instead of playing against the Great Britain Lions on home soil. The tour of Great Britain could be excellent for the game of Rugby League, given they were also meant to have a brief tour of the Pacific. The cancellation of the tour has had a knock-on effect, with New Zealand opting out of its home series against France to play England away from home.
Quote of the Week: “I’ve heard this is Australia’s biggest fashion event, it’s about football, right?” Geoffrey Edelsten’s partner Gabi Grecko, at the Brownlow Medal.
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Till next time,
Cheese
A Member of the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) is the organisation recognised by the RLIF as the body responsible for the regulation and/or control of the game of rugby league in that country. There may only be one Governing Body.
A recognised country will need to demonstrate the following criteria:
Have a currently approved constitution lodged with the RLIF which shows detailed evidence of governance, membership, elections, meetings and arrangements for dissolution.
Complete and submit to the RLIF annual accounts for at least 12 months before the application
Publish and lodge with the RLIF annual reports for at least two years before approval
Be able to demonstrate the financial stability of the organisation
Operate with a Bank Account in the name of the Federation with at least two signatories on the account. The two signatories must be drawn from the currently elected Board (EG Chair, Treasurer, Vice-Chair)
Conduct regular Rugby League Competitions within the country – Competition is defined as a League Competition played under International Laws of Rugby League over a minimum of 10 weeks.
(a) Minimum 8 senior teams
(b) Minimum 4 reserve/U21/Student grade teams
(c) At least 500 registered participants (players, coaches and match officials)
(d) A registered office and admin.
(e) At least a 6 team Junior RL and/or School (Under 18) competition.
(f) Coach Education Scheme approved by the RLIF.
(g) Referees Accreditation Scheme approved by the RLIF
(h) Approved International programme at various levels which must include Full International and may, also, include “A” International, Student International, Junior (Under 18) International. All at Male or Female.
Members may be able to source revenue from the above activity by way of fees. This can be extended to include registration fees, sponsorship, government grants, gate and canteen receipts and RLIF grants where applicable.
An approved Development Plan, correctly resourced with annual reports lodged with the RLIF