Rugby League’s Dilemma: Top Names Speak Out on Declining International Presence

Some of the biggest names in English rugby league have expressed their dismay over the current state of international rugby league, with leading Super League coaches also adding their voices to the debate.

England’s recent victory over France was overshadowed by a disappointing build-up and a lack of public interest in the fixture. Prop James Graham, England’s record cap holder, lambasted the Test, calling it “embarrassing” on his podcast, The Bye Round.

“It was disgraceful. It actually p****d me off. It was so so embarrassing. For it to be like that, there’s no excuse. You cannot offer me an excuse to why you play a game in Toulouse as a double-header against France. If you had a look at it, you’d be shocked at how bad it is,” Graham said.

Another England international, Kevin Brown, echoed Graham’s sentiments, likening the occasion to an “academy game” in an interview with The Mirror.

“It left me really worried. It was like an academy game; there was no one there, no atmosphere and it wasn’t on TV. It was streamed but that started buffering. It looked like a curtain-raiser. It actually was because Toulouse played Featherstone afterwards. I was really disappointed. The people I really felt for were the players,” Brown said.

The mood was reflected among Super League coaches as well. Hull KR coach Willie Peters admitted the game was “embarrassing” and suggested some coaches may now think twice about releasing players to play in such low-key occasions.

“I would never want to not let my players play for their country, but certainly some coaches now will be looking and going: ‘Why would we let our players go there with the injury risk if people aren’t going to fully buy into what it’s all about?'” Peters said.

St Helens coach Paul Wellens, a former England international, acknowledged the appetite for big international fixtures, while Wigan’s Matt Peet expressed disappointment that the players were not given the opportunity to perform in front of large crowds and on television.

The outpouring of criticism from these rugby league luminaries underscores the pressing need for the international governing body to address the declining state of the international game and restore its standing among players and fans alike.

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