Mexico Rugby League

A few weeks ago now I conducted a Q&A with one of the founding members of Mexico Rugby League. Part 2 of that Q&A instead will be a breakdown of a presentation that Mexico Rugby League conducted a few months back that will hopefully answer some questions that still have not been answered.

As it stands MRL only has 5 senior clubs that help make up the player pool for the National Team, within those 5 clubs each also runs a 9’s team to help develop new players and expose the game of Rugby League to the general community and those interested. Each senior team can run as many 9s teams as they want, the same day that the senior men’s teams play is also the same day that they play 9s, think of 9’s as a warm up match prior to the main event.

The MRL is endorsed by the RLIF and RLEF with coaching assistance from the folks with the Latin heat and those from England and Australia. Each home team is responsible to provide not just playing fields for the senior teams to participate on, but for the 9’s clubs associated with each senior club to play on for that day of games, each game must have an official present. Each game will be only 50 minutes of playing time, two 25 min half’s with ample time for halftime. There will only be 6 subs and unlimited amount of players able to dress for ether team. The game of 9’s will use the same rules as they use in Auckland for the 9’s tournament there.

 

Bottom line is the MRL as small and little numbers they have they are in surprisingly great shape. Because they are still raw they still have a chance to carve the sport out in México the way they want to, the right way that is fit for the people of México. It will take many, many hard years to get to the level as many other counties out there and I don’t mean England or Australia. But here is what I do believe they can do to help further there game and also help secure the growth of the code in not just México but also North America.

1-      There is no harm in teaming up with the union in Mexico, it is a win win situation for both parties, the rugby union players have a way to keep playing and training in the off season while also still playing in a high physical environment. The rugby league players have a chance to learn and also surround them self’s with other players who have experience playing in higher profile games. Both the union AND league national teams will receive a shot in the arm, now before everyone throws their hands up in the air and say nether party will work with each other, both already do and are not viewing each other as enemies. One of the clubs involved with the MRL already fields a union side. The Mexico rugby union has no problem with its players playing league, what they need to do is sit down and work with each other.

2-      Begin working with other Rugby league nations in the Americas, I.E Canada and USA and Jamaica. Since they too are not that far ahead in development and in need of matches for their national teams. Imagine a Four Nations set up for the Americas and even, MRL can get a constant NATIONAL team set up then USA and Canada together with also Jamaica can begin to play a set of test matches every year. Which is good because so far USA and Canada do play each other but after that then there is no matches till its WC qualifying time.

3-      The USARL has a pretty good set up in creating a developmental team, till MRL can get a steady flow and higher volume of games for players, this method could be the next big thing. It’ll give players an opportunity to grow their game along with spreading the game of Rugby League through out there country.

I wish the very best for Mexico Rugby League and hope that the game its self begins to grow and expand. There truly is a bright future for the code of Rugby League in the Americas, it will just take some time.,