Code must be strong globally: chairman
Inaugural IC chairman John Grant is adamant that international RL should be at the forefront of the sport's future, despite Australia's obsession with State of Origin.
Grant said it was cruical for the expansion of RL worldwide that Test matches be placed on similar pedestal to the annual series between QLD & NSW.
"State of Origin is the jewel in the crown but we should not forget about international RL and its improtance to the game's future" he said. "It's a must that youngsters aspire to represent their country"
"State of Origin and international RL need to be complementary".
He suggested it should be a priority to ensure the existing Four Nations series was not simply a tournament that would always feature Aus & NZ in the final.
"The challange is the get the British nations and France to consistant levels of performance, but it's a tough task condiering the other sports played at high levels in those countries."
"But the competition that exists between Aus & NZ now is fantasic."
Grant admitted that the RLWC would never compete with the corrosponding tournaments in Soccer & RU in terms of depth and the no. of countries competing.
"Soccer is the world game and RU is playing in more countries than RL" he said. "But for everybody playing the game at the grassroots level, RL needs to be as strong as it can internationally."
Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au