Wembley could host Four Nations opener

[TRF_Cymro]

Wembley looks set to host the opening matches of this year's Four Nations tournament.

The Rugby Football League is planning to launch the tournament with a double-header featuring England against Australia and newcomers Wales against New Zealand.

It would be the first international rugby league match to be staged at Wembley since 1997.

England have not played at the national stadium since the 1995 World Cup final.

The hosts lost that game, which was played in front of a crowd of 66,540.

An RFL spokesman said: "We are not in a position to confirm the details as yet but we are sure rugby league fans around the country would welcome the return of international rugby league to one of the best sporting stadiums in the world."

Despite suggestions the Australia-New Zealand game would take place in the southern hemisphere, as has happened in the past, it is almost certain to be held in the northern hemisphere.

Meanwhile, the RFL will announce details of the mid-season international on Wednesday.

It is expected England will take on an Exiles team drawn from Super League-based Australians and Kiwis on the weekend of 10-12 June.

The fixture will take the place of the traditional mid-season international against France, which has proved to be a one-sided affair in recent years.

Former New Zealand coach Brian McClennan, out of a job since stepping down at Leeds last October, is tipped to take charge of the Exiles.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/12966277.stm​

 

[Saints1]

Kenny Loggins sang about a Danger Zone, I am going to sing about a Disaster Zone. As this certainly has the potential.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Old Trafford a much better choice if they want to go for a big football stadium
Much more accessible for where the majority of fans are and already used for RL on occasion so it'll work

Or even take it to the Millennium Stadium ala Magic Weekend

 

[TRF_Cymro]

<object width="640" height="510"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/V8rZWw9HE7o?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/V8rZWw9HE7o?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="510"></embed></object>

Would it not be better placed at somewhere like Old Trafford? Even the Millennium Stadium?

 

[Saints1]

To be honest, I'm glad to see England back at Wembley. It's where we belong, afterall. Some of our finest moments have been there. There isn't the demand for the international sport like there once was but it's the international team's home.

My problem with this is that they are having the two weakest teams, England and Wales, playing superior teams. If the Kiwis drubbed Wales, and Australia drubbed England, neither of which is unlikely, it's going to look stupid.

 

[Teh Mite]

I'd be more concerned that they can't fill Elland Road for England games. What's this going to end up like?

 

[Saints1]

Wembley will draw extra fans.

Will it draw 30,000 more? No. This is the balance the RFL need to address.

 

[redunderthebed]

A half empty stadium......great!

Old trafford would be much better