What do you make of this?

It's Bullsh!t and Australia knows it.

The last thing we need to start doing is kow towing to FIFA.

Australia Kow towed to that G12 Summit fiasco and it simply was a non event as far as the public was concerned.

I think Australia would be stupid to let another O'seas body come in and run the place for 2 months.

FIFA have got no idea when it comes to Aussie crowds. We'll turn up no matter what and the turf will be spot on every day.

If FIFA want to push demands like that then I think they need to go to Africa and restore those empty concrete Grandstands and clubs that they poach all their multi millionaire players from first. Also they can fix up the gun toting nightmare in South America while they're at it.

I dont know what to think about it. Its great for Australia, it will put us on the map and give us a good reputation as a sporting nation, its not any old tournament its probably the biggest event in the world and for Australia to host it, it would be like having the Olympics here all over again. But on the downside, stopping rival codes to better themselves Im 100% against. Having that month taken away from the players would be a huge blow, it would destroy the NRL season and unless they start the following year's season a month later, thats a month less recovery and team bonding time taken away which is a complete disaster. A few of the NRL club's have said they are more than happy to give up their home grounds and let the soccer go on, but to stop the whole season for that amount of time is ridiculous, it will never happen. So if there is a way all codes can play on I'm all for the World Cup to be here, but if they want to stop everyone else for that long they need to pull their pants up.

If the World Cup is held in Australia - and it's a big IF - then obviously other codes will want to do the right thing by the community, won't they?

To have all other footballing codes stop playing their domestic competitions would be ridiculous. If any rep games would clash then yes, postpone them, but although soccer is the most popular world-wide it is not the dominant spectator sport in this country. It really just means good planning so that suitable stadiums are not wanted by 2 codes at the same time.

I'm not totally against it yet it seems to me hosting the WC as more pros than cons for the NRL and the country in general like upgrading or building new 40k+ stadiums means more jobs, the tournament will create more tourist dollars etc how can this be a bad thing I don't think it will make any NRL fans convert to A league really after the 8 weeks it will be business as usuall IMO

Assuming the NRL have contracts with stadiums, then FIFA won't have a leg to stand on. Tourist dollars aside, I'd prefer to see better forward planning from FIFA and the Government.

I doubt we'll get a look in to host the World Cup, despite Soccer being our most popular sport. Sad but true NRL fans, the numbers are bigger than all the others games. Junior numbers are through the roof.

I don't see a problem. The FIFA world cup would be a massive earner for the country and I have no doubt that the League, Aussie Rules, and Union players would absolutely relish a short break in the middle of the season.

-- Imagine how good the footy would be towards the end of the season with all the players getting 4 weeks (or whatever it is) to freshen up and sort out niggling injuries.

Mate as much as I hate the prospect of RL being shut down for a couple of months if the World cup was here...the fact always remains - MONEY TALKS!!!! ALL Governments (State & Fedral) will support this, because its going to generate money comming into the economy!!!

I mean Soccer Australia is already saying that Stadiums will be upgraded and other sports (AFL/RL) will be compensated! So at the end of the day the powers to be at RL HQ are going to give in to the monetary deals they can get out of it!!!

As for the fans...we've just got to suck it up and move on...when has a Fans concern counted when theirs big money involved....?

Of course it has to happen.

FIFA requires a four week period leading up to the WC, then the four week period during it.

It's the second biggest ( if not the biggest, after the Olympics) sporting carnival in the world, huuuuge ratings and would put us in a tremendous position.

We have no footy for 5 months, I'm oh so sure we can live without if for 8 weeks while the world game is being played on our doorstep.

NRL shouldn't have to cease just because of the World Cup. We have the right to play just as much as the soccer does.

Wow! I don't think I've ever seen Magpie so passionate. haha

But we have to get the world cup first. That's when I'd be concerned about it. But until then, it's a big "eh" from me.