IMG's Ashes message makes aspiration clear with big venues on the agenda

Rugby league organisers must think big when it comes to the Ashes series next year. That's the message from IMG's Matt Dwyer who believes the arrival of the Kangaroos next year gives the sport an opportunity to hit new audiences.

Wigan and Leeds hosted the two-test series with Samoa and while attendances satisfied organisers, the feeling is that bigger venues should be targeted for next year's three fixtures between Shaun Wane's side and the world champions.

Bigger stadiums come with financial risk and while that has been considered, there is a belief that next year's series will be able to attract significantly larger audiences than the games against Samoa and Tonga in recent years.

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"We've got to match it to the right stadium," Dwyer said. "That's the key point here. That's where the RLC (Rugby League Commercial) team needs to go off the data of World Cups, internationals and other events and match us up to the right stadium. Don't hold me to these figures, but if it was going to be, say, 50,000, you wouldn't want it at Wembley, but you would want it at the Etihad. It's really about trying to match the demand versus the stadium size.

"But you want some aspiration there. If you do get Australia and see the demand is there, you do want to not only serve your existing audience but take it to markets where you can tap into new fans as well. England put in a great performance against Samoa and are looking good as an international team, so it could be a great series.

"So we want to serve the loyal, existing fanbase and make sure they get to see this Test match, but also be able to try and expand a little bit and get new people watching this sport, a bit like State of Origin have explored playing games in Victoria."

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