My guess would be Hull as it has two Super League teams (I could be complete wrong though)?

Actually, what is the best Rugby League Magazine out there (both UK and Australia)?

Rugby Union has Japan, USA is not impossible, but difficult. Rugby league would be fantastic if it goes after the next big thing: China. India is a massive market too, even if is not as attractive, and Thailand (or other Asian countries) could create a bit of competition for China and are good markets by themselves. I ask AI what would take to get into this markets:

!To introduce Rugby League in China, India, and Thailand, a tailored approach is needed, leveraging grassroots engagement, strategic partnerships, and cultural adaptation. Below is a structured strategy for each country, informed by insights from the search results:!<

!1. China: Building on Existing Infrastructure and Education!<

!Collaboration with Universities and Sports Federations: Partner with Chinese sports universities (e.g., Shanghai University of Sport) to integrate Rugby League into athletic programs. CASE (China Australia Sport Education) has already laid groundwork through coach education and scholarships for Chinese athletes in Australian NRL clubs .!<

!Modified Formats: Introduce Nines Rugby (9-a-side) to simplify the game and reduce physical barriers. This format has been successful in Hong Kong and could appeal to Chinese athletes accustomed to touch rugby variants .!<

!Government and Military Engagement: Capitalize on the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) interest in rugby as part of training. Webpage 2 highlights PLA’s involvement in rugby development, which could extend to Rugby League .!<

!Digital and Cultural Integration: Partner with tech giants like Tencent to develop localized mobile games (e.g., a Chinese version of Madden Mobile) to teach rules and engage youth. This approach was suggested in Chinese-language articles addressing NFL’s challenges in China .!<

!Pathways to Professional Leagues: Leverage the upcoming Asia Rugby Grand League (ARGL) in 2024, which includes China, to create cross-code opportunities and showcase Rugby League’s potential .!<

!2. India: Grassroots Development and Regional Leagues!<

!Youth and University Programs: Focus on school-level tag/touch rugby leagues to build interest without heavy equipment. India’s hosting of the U20 Rugby Sevens in 2024 (Ahmedabad) provides a platform to introduce Rugby League variants .!<

!Partnerships with Cricket Boards: Collaborate with cricket organizations to utilize existing infrastructure. For example, repurpose cricket fields for Rugby League during off-seasons, similar to how rugby sevens has grown in Sri Lanka .!<

!Regional Competitions: Establish state-level leagues (e.g., Maharashtra vs. Karnataka) to foster local rivalries. Webpage 9 notes India’s rising interest in rugby, which could extend to League with targeted marketing .!<

!Cultural Storytelling: Highlight Rugby League’s values (teamwork, resilience) through Bollywood collaborations or athlete ambassadors, akin to NFL’s use of Chinese celebrities like Kris Wu .!<

!3. Thailand: Leveraging Existing Rugby Success!<

!Sevens-to-League Transition: Thailand’s strong sevens rugby culture (e.g., participation in the Asia Rugby Sevens Series) can be a gateway. Introduce Rugby League rules during sevens tournaments to attract players and fans .!<

!Community Engagement: Partner with local schools in Bangkok and Chiang Mai to run Rugby League clinics, emphasizing its faster pace and accessibility compared to union. Thailand’s success in hosting events like the Boonyachinda Stadium Sevens (2024) shows potential for League adoption .!<

!Commercial Partnerships: Work with Thai businesses (e.g., Singha Corporation) to sponsor leagues, mirroring Japan’s Rugby League One (JRLO) model, which attracts global talent and investment .!<

!Women’s Development: Promote women’s Rugby League, building on Thailand’s growing participation in sevens. The Asia Rugby Women’s Division 1 in 2024 could serve as a testing ground .!<

!Common Strategies for All Three Countries!<

!Elite Pathways: Create scholarships for players to train in established leagues (e.g., NRL in Australia) and return as ambassadors .!<

!Media Exposure: Stream matches on platforms like Asia Rugby’s YouTube and Facebook channels, which garnered 2.5 million views in 2024 .!<

!Government Advocacy: Align with national sports policies (e.g., China’s 13th Five-Year Plan for sports) to secure funding and legitimacy .!<

!Cultural Adaptation: Simplify terminology (e.g., Chinese rule glossaries) and emphasize Rugby League’s social impact, such as teamwork and discipline .!<

!Challenges and Solutions!<

!Cultural Perception: Address misconceptions about physicality by promoting non-contact variants (e.g., tag rugby) .!<

!Funding: Seek partnerships with global brands (e.g., Alibaba in China) and leverage World Rugby’s expansion initiatives for RWC 2027 .!<

!Infrastructure: Use existing facilities from other sports (e.g., football fields in India) to minimize costs .!<

!By combining localized strategies with regional collaboration, Rugby League can carve a niche in these markets, driven by grassroots enthusiasm and strategic institutional support.!<

So basically an illustrated guide about rugby league, but visually nice and good “coffe table books “?

Papua New Guinea confirmed as new NRL expansion franchise - but ANOTHER team is set to be introduced first (msn.com)

Hey guys! Anyone know if there are any clubs in Finland? Tried searching on Google, but no success! Would love to try this sport! Thanks!

Which team is more likely to win another premiership in the future?

Hi all,

Combined post both to ask if anyone has recommendations on where to watch tomorrow's game and what you all think about how they've done the cross-code rules this time?

Cheers

https://preview.redd.it/tc7jrk5bpw0e1.jpg?width=588&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e1b0f5946b501dc1a7d20d291afc62e8e64441a8

Geez I know slater is good but far out he’s done well to get that many according to the Australian kangaroos wiki.

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/rugby-league-fans-unanimous-on-one-thing-regarding-ashes-venues-98628/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGRv8NleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTq8QuReZzSB3eqYKC9H6xkPHk-bunm9NOOVcLK5Em_QAkCh6tK1uvW8tA_aem_rSrR3np5TWmLWgITABOTvQ&amp

This week, there have been reports that the rugby league Ashes tour could be returning in 2025 in the UK.

Therefore, there has been a lot of discourse over which stadiums could be used for the tour.

The cancelled 2020 tour – due to Covid – was set to be held at Bolton, Elland Road in Leeds and at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

At the time, RFL Chief Executive Ralph Rimmer said: “We hope the venues we have chosen, with a split between Lancashire, Yorkshire and London, will be popular both with regular Rugby League supporters and also the broader sporting public.

“The University of Bolton Stadium and Elland Road have both staged successful Rugby League events in recent years, and it’s exciting for us to be taking a first fixture to the stunning Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.”

It therefore seems likely that a split of Yorkshire, Lancashire and a non-heartland city will be utilised for the 2025 series if it does indeed take place.

Serious About Rugby League put it to the fans asking which venues should be used to host the games and a wide array of responses highlighted why it will be so hard for the RFL to satisfy everyone.

London was suggested by many, with Paul Guppy saying: “At least one Test in London – and get a bigger crowd than the 15,000 who attended at Wigan on Sunday.”

A number suggested Newcastle’s St James’ Park and the new Bramley Moore Dock Stadium for Everton as large venues, and Mike Irving said: “Everton. New shiny stadium, great location in the city. Loads of hotels. This would surely be packed out!”

Robert Turner is also keen for the RFL to aim for a huge crowd, saying: “The more competitive we can make the game, the bigger the potential gate.

“I think to make the deal commercially viable we should aim for a minimum 50,000 gate. Aim too low, there’s not enough in it. Get the marketing right.”

Andy Stafford wasn’t so in favour of London as a venue, saying: “I don’t see the point of having a test game in London.

“Wigan’s Brick Community Stadium, Elland Road in Leeds and Hull FC’s MKM Stadium would be my choice. Going to Tottenham or Wembley is a big expense and won’t fill 25% of the stadium up.”

Matt Summergill agreed, saying: “I’d be looking at the heartlands, and appropriate-sized stadiums.

“Saints, Leeds, and Hull FC, for example, all have great facilities and are great for atmosphere without being so big that we can’t fill them like Wembley or even Old Trafford.

“Empty seats don’t look great on tv, if we are trying to attract more people to our game.”

What is clear is that fans are determined to see full stadiums, however, the notion of using ‘appropriate-sized stadiums’ or aiming big and trying to pack out 50,000-plus venues is where a major split comes; a tightrope that the RFL will have to navigate.