In my humble opinion, rugby league is doing a great job on an international level. Following a similar trend I stated in my look at the NRL, it's easy to look at the top and judge international footy on the minority of teams who dominate proceedings, a deeper look with context gives a better insight.

I say this on the back of the swiftness at which many people, people who get paid to have an opinion, showed a rather dumb lack of any sort of knowledge. On the one hand you had some Australian media laying in to Aussie players for opting not to play for the Kangaroos and on the other hand you had New Zealand media questioning kiwi players for opting to not play for the Kiwis. Matt Scott had the best response and it's something that needs a look at because these people seem pretty quick to find any sort of way to belittle international rugby league, instead of simply being happy and celebrating it.

Last season we had a World Cup. So there were a whole lot of players, NRL players especially who had an off season of maybe 4 weeks. They finish their NRL season, played in a World Cup, reported back for duty then got on with their NRL pre-season. Sure they were allowed a few extra weeks off but nothing to let niggles recover etc. A World Cup dramatically increases the number of international players there are, which increases the number of players with minimal off seasons. Simple. But the top tier added State of Origin to that list so I'm pretty happy to forgive them for actually wanting some sort of off season to have an operation or to simply rest injuries that never get a chance to be rested. The Kiwi lads? Well they didn't play Origin but still had the same cycle as many other international players so if they've got injuries, niggles etc to rest, so be it.

We seem very quick to take a hard line on concussion and player welfare, but when a player simply wants a few weeks off to ... well, look after themselves we kick up a fuss? It's a pretty realistic chance that a few of these players have sustained various small concussions throughout the season, so what's if they're resting their noggin? Shit the bed, I didn't know we lived in a world full of Negative Ned's.

This worldly perspective is about rugby league around the world. The growth of a game that only exists in a professional capacity in maybe 4 countries around the world. So I like to adopt the thinking of greater depth and opportunity. Seeing players get an opportunity to represent their nation that perhaps they wouldn't have got otherwise, for me it's awesome. I can stomach a few players opting to rest because there are guys like Sosaia Feki, Jason Taumalolo, Ben Hunt and Dylan Walker who may get a chance to live out their dreams.

One trend that does excite me is seeing younger players heading to England and the Super League. You could be a Negative Ned and see it as a young talent walking out on the game, but for me the NRL is a production line of talent. Someone like Ken Sio got overtaken on that production line for whatever reason and shifted to Hull KR. He's probably going to earn more money, see more of the world and emerge a better person. The Super League deserves more than the NRL's scraps, to grow the game a first step would be to grow the Super League and having more younger players from our part of the world going over there, would do just that.

As long as there's no take over of Aussie and Kiwi players in the Super League. As long as the 'Man of Steel' award is won by a European (British/French etc) player, it's all good.

That look at the top tier of rugby league could be equally appear depressing or exciting. What's not up for debate is the tier below which we saw at the World Cup is healthy. Healthier than it has been that's for sure. Seeing the likes of the USA Tomahawks enjoy the World Cup is huge and we as members of the two biggest rugby league nations should look to contribute in whatever way we can. If you're a player with links to a minor nation, go help them out. What's stopping you? Why don't we get a Kiwis 'B' side to go tour the smaller European nations or even the United States? There's a rugby league world out there if you're willing to look for it.

I mean is it too dramatic to suggest that the NZRL could make a buck or two by partnering with the United States to expand the game? Go on a tour through the south Pacific, go to South Africa ... do something!

The key here is that countries look out for each other. The worst case scenario would be and it's a very realistic option, that Australia, New Zealand and England just keep playing between themselves. There's absolutely no way anyone can rely on the international governing body to set up partnerships and development opportunities, like these nations could. Having a Four Nations that includes an island team when it's down here and a European team when it's up in the north is a good start.