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..:: Deficiente-Forum - Internacional ::.. => English => Noticias Internacionais => Sport => Tópico iniciado por: RoterTeufel em 20/11/2017, 15:37
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Australia fans have let down the Rugby League World Cup, but Tonga and Fiji can be proud
THE world order of rugby league is starting to crack and that's fantastic for the game.
This is the first World Cup where one of the big three, New Zealand, has failed to reach the last four.
The performances of the Pacific Islands nations, especially semi-finalists Tonga and Fiji, have been a joy to watch.
The passion of their fans and the surreal sound of them singing hymns during matches is a memory that will last a long time.
Also the three sell-out crowds in Port Moresby show there is an urgent need to give Papua New Guinea more high-profile games.
We mustn't forget the England fans either because they have travelled in huge numbers at great expense.
But the big disappointment and failing of this World Cup is the apparent apathy that comes from Australians.
While crowds in Papua New Guinea and New Zealand have been good, the attendances in Australia have mostly been embarrassing.
When the World Cup was staged in England four years ago, fans flocked to see any fixture they could.
And, because of the relative ease of getting to the various stadiums, many of the games were sell-outs or close to.
But it appears Australian fans aren't overly bothered about watching rugby league if it doesn't involve their team.
And even the games involving Australia haven't attracted bumper crowds and that's because NRL and State of Origin are kingpins Down Under.
Even some of the Kangaroo players themselves make it clear that Test rugby comes a poor second or third.
That has also been reflected in poor publicity for the tournament in the Australian cities where games are staged.
Only in Perth - a city that is desperate to join the NRL - was there any real enthusiasm to push the event for the England vs France game.
Walk around any other area where games are being held and you wouldn't even know a World Cup was on.
The final itself in Brisbane on December 2 is already a sell-out - but that's presumably because Aussie fans assume they're going to see their nation crowned world champions again.
It's just a pity that the Aussies couldn't have come out in bigger numbers to support international rugby.
Times are changing on the world stage with more countries now posing viable threats. It's something that should be supported.