International Rules- Add a UK team

[ThePeckers]

There are probably a tonne of threads on the International Rules, but after watching some videos of the IR games I think the game isnt that bad. BUT i think it could be made alot more interesting if they added a team to represent the UK.

Australia and the UK have no real links in sport besides the Ashes, maybe the IR game could become the next big thing. A three way competition. Imagine the rivalry between UK V Australia, UK V Ireland and then the traditional Aus V Ire.

The only problem would be filling in the players for the UK team. (cept the goal keeper). I think players with a recent family link to the UK should be allowed to play. Whilst the AFL also trying to expand the game over there (which i know is growin there apparently, cheers ex pats). The AFL is keen to keep the game going might as well make it a little bit more interesting

Id love to watch Australia play the UK, and not to mention gives us another reason to go over to England and barrack for Aus.

 

[bigbossman111]

There are so many things wrong with that post I am not even going to bother explaining.

 

[ThePeckers]

The only problem i can see is the problem of getting the UK players. wonder if they play Gaelic in Northern Ireland. Its just an idea, anything that will make the IR series better.

 

[legend166]

Quite possibly the stupidest thing I've ever read.

Hey, why don't we get an American team too!

 

[ThePeckers]

Quite possibly the stupidest thing I've ever read.

Hey, why don't we get an American team too!

No it would be a South African team if any. its not stupid, people would have sed 20 years ago playing a hybrid game with the Irish is stupid.

 

[legend166]

And at the time, it probably was. Hell, I still think it's stupid.

But what you're saying now is let's get a side from a country who has no ties whatsoever to either sport in anyway. And get them to have a team. What's the point? It's ridiculous.

 

[ThePeckers]

Again its like South Melbourne moving to Sydney. New things have to be tried. I think it makes sense as IR is a mix between Soccer AFL and Gaelic.

Jeez my idea is being shot down in flames, lol

 

[George_A_Romero]

The only problem i can see is the problem of getting the UK players.

Yip - just one teeny weeny little problem right there...

 

[Boozeroo]

Like there aren't enough Oz pissheads in London.

 

[Duggie]

There are probably a tonne of threads on the International Rules, but after watching some videos of the IR games I think the game isnt that bad. BUT i think it could be made alot more interesting if they added a team to represent the UK.

Australia and the UK have no real links in sport besides the Ashes, maybe the IR game could become the next big thing. A three way competition. Imagine the rivalry between UK V Australia, UK V Ireland and then the traditional Aus V Ire.

The only problem would be filling in the players for the UK team. (cept the goal keeper). I think players with a recent family link to the UK should be allowed to play. Whilst the AFL also trying to expand the game over there (which i know is growin there apparently, cheers ex pats). The AFL is keen to keep the game going might as well make it a little bit more interesting

Id love to watch Australia play the UK, and not to mention gives us another reason to go over to England and barrack for Aus.

where the hell would the uk players come from - what sport exactly ????

 

[Fire]

where the hell would the uk players come from - what sport exactly ????

Actually this whole idea is nothing new. The GAA are (or at least were prior to last years series, not sure if its changed) particularly keen to add additional teams. The AFL were more reluctant, but willing.

Teams nominated were from the UK, the USA and South Africa (Which is a major international growth market for the AFL at the moment). The teams were going to be made up of locals from those countries from both local AR and GF leagues. It was for international expansion more than getting the series itself to grow.

Its actually not that bad an idea when you look into it. They’d get belted, but in the end both sports benefit in those markets.

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

The only problem i can see is the problem of getting the UK players. wonder if they play Gaelic in Northern Ireland. Its just an idea, anything that will make the IR series better.

There's an Aussie Rules league in the UK which would be like AFL players against B Grade Amo's.

Can't see Sir Alex Ferguson releasing Rooney or Ronaldo to play, so I think whilst a tri-nations would be nice, it won't happen.

 

[Whitebluestripes]

Maybe if every kid in England dropped soccer and started playing the AFL, you might have a case

 

[estibador]

Duggie I had to do a double take at your user name then. For a minute I thought you were an eagles supporter with a self depreciating sense of humour.

Could be a little tough fielding an English side considering they don't play either sport. Aussie players with pommie heritage you reckon? I can't see the English getting too excited about Aussie players they've never heard of representing them in a bastardized version of a sport they've never heard of.

In fact I think they'd find it quite insulting. Imagine if the Americans started playing 'international' gridiron matches against their B team and claiming that they represented Australia.

 

[Blue and Gold Blood]

quite possibly the worst idea presented on these boards this year. And no, thats not overkill...

 

[TigerCraig]

Well, you could have Northern Ireland guys in the UK team, but I don't know how well that would go with the GAA given that they are a nationalist Irish body with a hatred of anything British.

 

[Kaiser Powser]

Aus 346 defeated UK 0

 

[D Mitchell]

...I don't know how well that would go with the GAA given that they are a nationalist Irish body with a hatred of anything British.

It's not 1920, you know. London is represented in the county competition as is New York. there's your English and American teams.

 

[fishmonger]

Forget about it.

IR is dead and thank goodness for that.

If you want international competition, watch the Australian Football International Cup in Melbourne in 2008. It is our own game, not some Gaelic hybrid.

Australia won't compete, but a UK side definately will. They will rub shoulders with the likes of NZ, South Africa and the USA.

And support the junior Aussie Rules players when South Africa tours Australia next. There may also be junior matches between Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea in the not too distant future.

We are 10-15 years away from genuine top level international amateur competition, but the wait will definately be worth it. Spread the word.

 

[*Crash*]

I dont know if it is officially dead. It really depends how keen the Irish are on it. And that may be determined by how many Irish kids get poached by AFL clubs over the next few years. Because their involvement in that series will keep the rules specific to recruiting their youth in place - and give them bargaining power to strengthen that further in future. It also depends somewhat in who is at the helm, and their personal leanings toward the series.

I personally like the games, but would not miss it if it were not to return.

It is still the AFL's best competition option Internationally for some time. And unless SOO can really come back strong it may remain an option.

The AFL did ask USAFL board to look into producing a team made up of Gaelic and Aussie rules players from the US before the IR series was scrapped. This was not at senior level though, perhaps U17 if I remember correctly. I dont know how far that ever advanced.

 

[pieman18]

for the record i am also against this idea BUT

do any of u actually WANT an international team in our league???

i have no objections do the odd international player like o'hailpin and stynes and kenelly BUT a whole team AND considering englands national sport is soccer and they have no real physical sports to play (and this may be a gross over generalisation) i dont think they would be able to handle the tough, physical nature of footy as opposed to soccer............the irish have that physical nature which is why international rules rules works so well

i dont think there would be one person who would want an american footy team to be honest..............but thats just my opinion

 

[Toots Hibbert]

for the record i am also against this idea BUT

do any of u actually WANT an international team in our league???

i have no objections do the odd international player like o'hailpin and stynes and kenelly BUT a whole team AND considering englands national sport is soccer and they have no real physical sports to play (and this may be a gross over generalisation) i dont think they would be able to handle the tough, physical nature of footy as opposed to soccer............the irish have that physical nature which is why international rules rules works so well

i dont think there would be one person who would want an american footy team to be honest..............but thats just my opinion

Granted soccer is their number one sport but they play Rugby and League over there and won the last Rugby world cup.

As has been pointed out earlier there are plenty of Gaelic football teams in England. I'm wondering what the national allegiance of most of those players would be. I'm guessing the majority would have Irish backgrounds.

Anyway I would think that for anything to happen the Irish would have to get back on board.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Australia and the UK have no real links in sport besides the Ashes.

Understatement of the decade.

 

[D Mitchell]

Understatement of the decade.

Inaccurate statement of the decade. Try

Rugby, both codes;
Tennis - Wimbledon
Royal Tennis
Bowls
Dressage
Rowing

for starters.

 

[Solstice Raver]

No it would be a South African team if any. its not stupid, people would have sed 20 years ago playing a hybrid game with the Irish is stupid.

...and it still is.

Contrived money making scheme.

Wish the AFL would stop dicking around and bring back SoO FFS.

P1ss of the whinging soft **** Ireish Gaylickers once and for all.