Quote Aboveusonlypie="Aboveusonlypie"Whilst Sam and Lee were/are outstanding players they would be the first to admit that they could do nothing without the work of team mates.
Sky would do well to market the sport as a TEAM game not concentrate on individuals (i.e Wigan Warriors is one of the great clubs in world sport not just in rugby league and Saints/Leeds are not far behind). There doesn't need to be a focal point. The breath of fresh air that is Premier Sports recognises this and has managed to show each game in a positive light regardless of whether there are superstars playing or not.
Some of the best and most entertaining rugby in this world cup has been played by teams from which we would have been hard pressed to name any individual (before the tournament). The record crowds, many of whom have never heard of Sam Tomkins -sounds unbelievable, but I think true- suggest that there is a market for RL in this country.'"
I think you are right about the world cup suggesting there is a market for RL in this country. A big reason for that is the great games we have seen which has probably surprised quite a few people.
I remember when RU started to include teams from all over the place in their world cup and they got blow-out scores not competitive games. Now granted we may get one on Saturday when Aus take on the USA (I am going to that one by the way) but I think the games so far have been great and a real eye-opener for many to what a great sport this is.
I hope BT are watching and lining up a huge bid for the right to broadcast the sport!
This market we see for the game is also why IL needs to succeed in his power struggle with Hethrington and Wood ( I was going to say with the RFL but they run it...). We can't let this opportunity be tossed away by a those running the game currently.
They have done a good job with the WC but commercially they have been inept for too long for this to get them off the hook.
Where I would disagree with you though is over the importance of individuals. They are key to getting people interested in new sports IMO and are key to marketing. People know who Bradley Wiggins is but will have no clue who "Team Sky" are and may not even know he does actually race for a team.
Sam could have been a household name here[i if[/i any momentum following on from a successful world cup were to be maintained by those running the game.
Sports need their superstars to attract people to them. J Wilkinson in RU, Wiggins, Tomkins - kids want to emulate these people.
So in that respect Tomkins going to the NRL is a loss to our game here.
One way it would not be so bad is if we had more internationals to keep his name in the frame. This WC has shown me that while many see the club game as the pinnacle it really isn't. I never viewed it as such when I was watching Elllery and Co try and beat the Aussies at the height of Wigan's success in the 80's and 90's and the way this tournament is going makes me think the same now.
