So let's back track a bit and make our way forward.
First off us Rugby League, for those who may have missed it and how could you. Both the USA and Canada have been awarded the 2025 WC. Now unlike Union this bid was not submitted or won by the governing bodies for League in ether country but by a business man who was able to gather other investors and convince the RLIF that N.America was ready for a WC. Now I am happy for one because I am one of those who love rugby that ether code is good for me. But you have to think this has to put World Rugby in a tough spot . If the League WC in USA ends up being successful and say Argentina is also awarded the 2023 WC then that means WR would be kicking them selfs for not going to USA instead and most likely have to wait 12 years (+) till they could attempt to head back, I say 12 years because heading back to the Americas 1 or 2 world cups later would be to soon and you have to think the keepers of the game ( south Africa, New Zealand , England and so on) would want to host first before going back. This is where maybe World Rugby should adopt the FIFA rotation method amongst the various governing bodies.
Regardless I do believe the WC will be successful and provide a good wake up call for Rugby in general in N.America. league is going to have to rely heavily on the union fans to show up and I do believe they will. Now what the USARL the current governing body for League in the USA needs to start doing and I believe needs to start NOW, they must heavily spread the code of league to the heavy populations of America and work there way inward. There is no word yet on what cities are on the short list to host games but it would be a benefit to both the USARL and the success of the WC to have not just a few places know what rugby league is but rather major populations cities. San Francisco , Los Angeles, Huston, Dallas , salt lake , Chicago , new York / New Jersey , Orlando and Jacksonville and even Portland , OR or Seattle would be the targeted cities and metro areas between now and the year prior before the World Cup USARL and RLIF should begin working Rugby into.
Aside from the WC news, I am pleased to see the Toronto Wolfpack take the lead in cross Atlantic journey into top flight rugby. Not only is this the first building block for Rugby League in the Americas going to Professionalism but also Rugby Union folks are watching closely. So far things have been going according to plan, my only wish is that they can find away to broadcast games to those of us in USA.
USARL being the governing body of rugby league in USA needs to be more proactive with the public. There website is rarely updated, off season and during. It would be great to let fans know what is all happening with in the league and player development. Has new coaches been hired for teams, what about player profiles, what teams are returning or dropping out and so on, and lastly they have got to get some merchandise out for people to buy!
