#RLWC2021 - 'Just' Postponed

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'Just' postpone it. The cry of the selfish Australian whenever the subject of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup is mentioned. The use of the word 'just' is something that almost makes my eye twitch with anger. 

It implies that postponement is simple. It implies that postponement in the obvious choice. It implies that there is little hardship by postponing. The word 'just' is a direct insult to all involved in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup; from the organisers, to the players, to the ticket holders, to the volunteers.

More than five years work has been put in to make this tournament a success. The pandemic has threatened to throw us off course and immense work and investment has been put in place to obviate the threat.

 - £25M Funding

The UK Government has funded this tournament to the tune of £25 million pounds. That is a greater value for four weeks of action than a multi-year Sky Sports broadcast deal for Super League.

The Government may or may not maintain the funding in light of postponement. Would any sensible Government make this kind of investment again? If I was in Government, I would not invest in a tournament that can called off at the whim of an Australian oik.

- TV Deal

This is the first incarnation of the Rugby League World Cup which would have seen all games broadcast free-to-air. That included the women's and wheelchair tournaments too.

In 2022, the tournament will overlap with the FIFA World Cup. Will the BBC make such a commitment again? That is a serious doubt.

- The Unique Opportunity

The Rugby League World Cup signalled a moment of hope and recovery for England. After 16 months of onerous restrictions, this was to be the first major international sporting tournament held in England. That honour is no more.

- The Sponsorship

Cazoo signed a deal worth more than £1 million pounds to be the lead tournament sponsor. Big money for the game in this country. Potentially up in smoke. Will Cazoo value the rights at a seven figure sum now we clash with the FIFA World Cup?

- The Venues

The RLWC team negotiated deals to play at some of the biggest and most famous stadiums in England. It even arranged for the first ever non-football event to take place at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium. This process must now start afresh.

- The Refunds

With date and likely venue changes, fans will have to be offered refunds. Ticket sales have far exceeded expectations so far. The money that will drain from the game from understandably irate fans will be eye-watering. These fans, many who will have booked hotels for these games, may not be as keen to take another risk in 2022.

The NRL has dropped whatever the rugby league equivalent of a nuclear bomb is on the game in England. A deliberate and calculated act of sabotage. And for what? So that NRL players can play in pre-season trial games.

Read that again. The NRL believes that its pre-season trial games are of greater value to the most high-profile and high-value international tournament that the sport was to hold in its 120 year + history.

They say 'just' postpone it. The NRL have commited an act of sabotage which may 'just' have delivered the most savage and brutal of blows to the world game. We just do not know the true impact of that blow quite yet.

Who needs enemies with friends like these?

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