One Australian journalist has argued that England’s failure at the Rugby League World Cup highlights just how ‘ridiculous’ it is that certain Super League clubs are fighting back against NRL investment.

England exited the tournament at the group stage for the first time ever despite losing just one game, something that’s led many to criticise the competition’s format. Whilst there’s certainly merit in opposing the tournament format, few could argue that England simply were not among the best four teams.

Now headed home, the analysis begins with the RFL convening a panel of legends to assess a road map for the national team, but there’s also plenty of opinions coming from all corners of the game.

One opinion from Australian journalist Brent Read, appearing on Triple M radio, has labelled the Super League teams opposing NRL investment as ‘ridiculous’, with Read claiming that England’s World Cup failure shows just how much help the sport in the UK needs.

He argued: “It’s ridiculous why Super League is fighting against a partnership with the NRL, and why the clubs over there are fighting against it.

“They need help, the game over there needs help. We need a competitive England side for the sake of international footy. The sooner they get that deal done, the better for everyone.”

Ex-NRL head coach explains big gap Super League cannot make up

A deal with the NRL is expected to be agreed though given that talks have been ongoing for months and even years, the process is far from certain to be completed.

Investment at the elite level would certainly help but likely only be a short-term fix with the reason for the dominance of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Nations being that their grassroots programmes are far superior.

Former St George Illawarra Dragons head coach Shane Flanagan made that case, stating: “It’s all about participation in the end.

“We’ve got that many kids playing rugby league, tag, touch, all these things – we’ve got a big advantage because of the participation. I don’t know how you get that over there.”

Read agreed but countered: “Money helps. That’s what NRL is offering – money, which they can invest into that side of the game, and there’s no doubt it’s needed.”

Former England international Jon Wilkin has been the latest to make an appeal to the UK government to invest money into rugby league communities as a method to both improve the sport but also society, even appealing to the NRL chief Peter V’landys too.

Wilkin said: “Peter V’landys, if you listen to this, come to the table and deliver a grassroots government-led initiative to make northern communities proud of themselves again. The government put money into it, Peter V’landys ring-fence some money and match that funding, and let’s go do something that only sport can do.”

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