It's the NRL clubs, they do not want the world Cup interferring with there season year year. They have a point so far but it's down to quarantine conditions when the players return to Oz or NZ, plus any injury worries. The Aussies don't really rate internationals above there domestic games. I think all NRL based players will have pressure put on them not to play for other Pacific rim counties like Tonga.
I think given the poor state the game now finds itself incoming put of the pandemic, add in crowds are down etc.I think postponement or cancellation is the only viable option, disappointing but we are going to struggle to get crowds into some of the bigger stadiums. Playing games outside the heartland areas is not going to work now for sure. Its asking to much of fans from heartland areas that make up a huge percentage of crowds to pay to travel to far flung areas of the UK.
The game is truly in a massive hole at the moment, it's about survival and many hard decisions will need to be taken in a sport that has a history of poor administration.
