| Rugby League World Cup. 17:06 - Sep 30 with 9090 views | Discodroids |
England have just Announced their Squad. Looks to me just about the weakest England squad of players i can recall going into a world cup.
The St Helens Quartet of Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley, Mark Percival and Lewis Dodd are all injured , while Gareth Widdop, James Roby, Luke Gayle and Jermaine Mcgilvery have all retired from international duty. Josh Hodgson and Liam Farrell both missing as well. Really leaves us light imo.
I think we look weak in every department other than our forward pack although Walmsley is a huge miss. The halves and hookers look terrible. Can't believe Shaun Wane didn't pick Jackson hasting at West tigers. Jake Connors omission to me at least, is shocking.
I watch half a dozen NRL games a week and was dissapointed to see Canberra Raiders Ryan Sutton omitted And wests Oliver Gildart as well albeit after a difficult first NRL season. George Burgess seems to have fallen from the face of the earth at the Bulldogs.
My tips are New Zealand, they have the best forward Pack by a mile and superstar backs in Joesph Manu, Dylan Brown and Jerome Hughes. Canberra Raiders Joe Tapine , Penriths James fisher Harris , Sydney Roosters Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Melbourne Storms Nelson Asofa-Solomona are the best props on the planet.
Samoa, Tonga and possibly even Fiji, all look stronger on paper than England to me.
The Kangaroos don't look as strong as in previous years especially without Tom trbojevic and ryan papenhuyzen. They still have Latrell Mitchell and James Tedesco, who are in my opinion, the best rugby league players on earth and have some brilliant halves in Cameron Munster and Nathan Cleary, As well as the worlds best lock in Penrith Panthers Issah Yeo, so will still go close.
Still Can't wait though. Rugby League, Love it.
[Post edited 30 Sep 2022 17:30]
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| Rugby League World Cup. on 05:19 - Oct 31 with 2181 views | Kiwi76 |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 18:11 - Oct 30 by TGRRRSSS |
Gone rather quet on this thread, what's everyone's thoughts?
When all is said and done have there really been any great games in the group?
Mostly one sided affairs so far to be honest |
Here in NZ the rights went to the local telco vs normal Sky TV provider who carry rest of our league coverage. Therefore very limited coverage or even notice tournament is even on.
Kiwi’s best XIII is strongest in years but not sure on coach & fully expect Aussie to win.
Also to finish on the disaster that is current AB set up - narrow win vs Japan over weekend - really average team right now… |  | | |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 07:27 - Oct 31 with 2122 views | ozranger |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 05:19 - Oct 31 by Kiwi76 |
Here in NZ the rights went to the local telco vs normal Sky TV provider who carry rest of our league coverage. Therefore very limited coverage or even notice tournament is even on.
Kiwi’s best XIII is strongest in years but not sure on coach & fully expect Aussie to win.
Also to finish on the disaster that is current AB set up - narrow win vs Japan over weekend - really average team right now… |
I watched most of the game on the weekend and while the Irish were no match for the Kiwis, the Kiwis were sloppy too often. The second Irish try was rather ridiculous. Not having an assured kicker is a big problem for them as well and when they played earlier in the tournament, most of the backs were having a lot of problems with up and unders. I agree with you about the fact that they will struggle to win unless something strange happens.
As to the ABs, they have the wrong coach and should have sacked Foster when they had the chance. And what of the ladies? I watched some of the hakas. Much better than the men. Can they beat France to get to the Final. If they meet England in the Final, that will be one great match. |  | | |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 08:36 - Oct 31 with 2099 views | MrSheen |
Just looked...probably England v Tonga/Samoa in the SF. Rigged draw to put Samoa in our half, it would be just like us to lose after putting 60 past them in the group. |  | | |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 13:18 - Oct 31 with 2039 views | TGRRRSSS |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 05:19 - Oct 31 by Kiwi76 |
Here in NZ the rights went to the local telco vs normal Sky TV provider who carry rest of our league coverage. Therefore very limited coverage or even notice tournament is even on.
Kiwi’s best XIII is strongest in years but not sure on coach & fully expect Aussie to win.
Also to finish on the disaster that is current AB set up - narrow win vs Japan over weekend - really average team right now… |
ON ABS Kiwi, in Foster they've appointed one of the worst head coach ever when you consider some of the other options they had is even more incredible, part of me thinks losing the next 3 testes and he'd finally go but...
Ryan and Schmid have clearly helped a bit but some very strange things, how can Tom Robinson not get a go for instance?
I've rated Joseph a long time likewise Robertson.
For now I'd just sack Foster (or permanent Gardening leave and let Schmit run it till the WC.
Otherwise QF is best they can do, and maybe not gte out of the group... |  | | |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 13:29 - Oct 31 with 2009 views | Northernr |
Bit of a damp squib so far really. There's always going to be blow outs in the group stages, but teams that should have done better and made for close games (Samoa v England, France v Samoa) didn't.
Also, you can tell all the venues were chosen pre-pandemic. Bit daft not to revisit that, and the ticket prices for the early games have been a huge misstep. A real shame that places like Boro and Coventry that campaigned and bid for games then didn't back that up with a big push for schools etc to actually put some people in the ground for the matches. I think RL often falls into the trap of thinking a giant, shiny new football stadium will bring some gravitas and importance to their event, but in reality a lot of these new grounds are shtholes in the middle of nowhere, and they really don't lend themselves to only being a third full. I'm not saying we should have been playing games at Wakey and Cas but it feels like a mistake all the same.
But, for all that, it's a great set of fixtures in the knock outs, so hopefully it will really start firing this week.
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| Rugby League World Cup. on 14:32 - Oct 31 with 1978 views | nadera78 |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 13:29 - Oct 31 by Northernr |
Bit of a damp squib so far really. There's always going to be blow outs in the group stages, but teams that should have done better and made for close games (Samoa v England, France v Samoa) didn't.
Also, you can tell all the venues were chosen pre-pandemic. Bit daft not to revisit that, and the ticket prices for the early games have been a huge misstep. A real shame that places like Boro and Coventry that campaigned and bid for games then didn't back that up with a big push for schools etc to actually put some people in the ground for the matches. I think RL often falls into the trap of thinking a giant, shiny new football stadium will bring some gravitas and importance to their event, but in reality a lot of these new grounds are shtholes in the middle of nowhere, and they really don't lend themselves to only being a third full. I'm not saying we should have been playing games at Wakey and Cas but it feels like a mistake all the same.
But, for all that, it's a great set of fixtures in the knock outs, so hopefully it will really start firing this week.
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I think the bigger issue re attendances isn't games at Coventry or Boro, in fact Newcastle (burgeoning local RL scene actually) has had comparatively good crowds. The issue is having 3 games in quick succession in places like St Helens, Doncaster, Warrington - where money is tight at the best of times, even worse now - and asking the same people to buy tickets to game after game after game. Even worse when they were charging over the odds as well.
I know they got government funding to play 80% games up north, as part of the Northern Powerhouse scheme (that has already died) but they've way exceeded that. Something like 95% of games in a small, economically depressed part of the country. Madness. 250,000 French people in London, base them there. Why were Wales playing on a Tuesday night in Leigh ffs? The organisers have done a very poor job.
All that said, there have been some very good games, and the 1/4 finals onwards looks absolutely brilliant. |  | | |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 18:11 - Oct 31 with 1938 views | Kiwi76 |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 13:18 - Oct 31 by TGRRRSSS |
ON ABS Kiwi, in Foster they've appointed one of the worst head coach ever when you consider some of the other options they had is even more incredible, part of me thinks losing the next 3 testes and he'd finally go but...
Ryan and Schmid have clearly helped a bit but some very strange things, how can Tom Robinson not get a go for instance?
I've rated Joseph a long time likewise Robertson.
For now I'd just sack Foster (or permanent Gardening leave and let Schmit run it till the WC.
Otherwise QF is best they can do, and maybe not gte out of the group... |
I’m born & bred Aucklander and even I want Cantab Scott Robertson in charge of AB’s - ideally with Schmidt as assistant (not sure if he wants the gig?).
Foster close to sack couple of times but gets that last min win.
Issue is 3x coaches in a row from same system - Henry/Hanson & now Foster. All the other sides have long since worked out how to stop AB’s playing that way - physical defence in our face & we don’t cope.
Worst we’ve been in 20yrs.
Back to the league! | | | |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 13:14 - Nov 1 with 1830 views | TGRRRSSS |
I don't think Foster's coaching record is anywhere near Henry or Hansen though in any way shape or form.
Back to League the QF's look interesting PNG will be tough but England to nudge it.
NZ to beat Fiji
Aus to hammer Chieka's Lebanon.
Tonga the last side to go through. | | | |
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| Rugby League World Cup. on 14:08 - Nov 1 with 1795 views | MrSheen |
JWH, discuss. I've loved watching him as a Roosters fan over the years but he seems out of control and unable to control himself. Too many blows to his own head? Whatever, he needs to call it quits or be stopped. | | | |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 14:13 - Nov 6 with 1628 views | Northernr |
Tonga v Samoa big potential in this game, BBC2 now...
And it's full, thank God. Absolutely heartbreaking watching so many games in this played in dead venues.
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| Rugby League World Cup. on 16:29 - Nov 6 with 1576 views | E1Hoop |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 14:13 - Nov 6 by Northernr |
Tonga v Samoa big potential in this game, BBC2 now...
And it's full, thank God. Absolutely heartbreaking watching so many games in this played in dead venues.
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Not a regular league watcher but that was compelling viewing. 100% commitment and looked unbelievably brutal, and with great skill. Is it always that physical? | | | |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 16:30 - Nov 6 with 1576 views | MrSheen |
Anyone else going next week? | | | |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 16:40 - Nov 6 with 1571 views | Northernr |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 16:29 - Nov 6 by E1Hoop |
Not a regular league watcher but that was compelling viewing. 100% commitment and looked unbelievably brutal, and with great skill. Is it always that physical? |
To an extent yes, but they're two big, big teams. Most of those players are the enforcers and muscles in more mobile NRL or Super League sides. Ligi Sao, for instance, is just another body in that game, but when he plays for Hull he's their wrecking ball. | | | |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 19:02 - Nov 6 with 1514 views | BazzaInTheLoft |
The boozer I was in pre match yesterday was showing England Woman v Canada Woman.
Do the male / female World Cups run concurrently? I couldn’t hear what the commentators were saying. [Post edited 6 Nov 2022 19:05]
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| Rugby League World Cup. on 21:21 - Nov 6 with 1466 views | MrSheen |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 19:02 - Nov 6 by BazzaInTheLoft |
The boozer I was in pre match yesterday was showing England Woman v Canada Woman.
Do the male / female World Cups run concurrently? I couldn’t hear what the commentators were saying. [Post edited 6 Nov 2022 19:05]
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That’s the Union WC, different cycle to the men, currently in NZ. Should have been last year, so two years between each. The Womens League Cup is parallel so double header men and women England games yesterday.
EDIT my mistake England played Canada in both Womens’ wirkd cups yesterday! [Post edited 6 Nov 2022 21:28]
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| Rugby League World Cup. on 21:26 - Nov 6 with 1463 views | MrSheen |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 16:40 - Nov 6 by Northernr |
To an extent yes, but they're two big, big teams. Most of those players are the enforcers and muscles in more mobile NRL or Super League sides. Ligi Sao, for instance, is just another body in that game, but when he plays for Hull he's their wrecking ball. |
About half of the Samoa team played in the NRL final, and Taumalolo of Tonga is consistently one of the very best in the league. The crowds haven’t been good, but the twin emergence of the Islands and the resurgence of England is really encouraging for the international game. | | | |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 09:32 - Nov 7 with 1392 views | nadera78 |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 19:02 - Nov 6 by BazzaInTheLoft |
The boozer I was in pre match yesterday was showing England Woman v Canada Woman.
Do the male / female World Cups run concurrently? I couldn’t hear what the commentators were saying. [Post edited 6 Nov 2022 19:05]
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This event has men's, women's and wheelchair competitions taking place. The latter is absolutely insane, if you find a bit of time to check it out then I'd encourage you to do so. | | | |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 10:09 - Nov 7 with 1371 views | BazzaInTheLoft |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 09:32 - Nov 7 by nadera78 |
This event has men's, women's and wheelchair competitions taking place. The latter is absolutely insane, if you find a bit of time to check it out then I'd encourage you to do so. |
Yes I just caught this!
How many broken wrists must they get. Brutal! | | | |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 18:29 - Nov 11 with 1264 views | Northernr |
Oz NZ tonight. | | | |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 20:34 - Nov 11 with 1198 views | ozranger |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 18:29 - Nov 11 by Northernr |
Oz NZ tonight. |
And what a game. I hope the 2nd half is as good | | | |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 20:36 - Nov 11 with 1197 views | Northernr |
How can they not mass market this? What a 40 minutes of sport. Speed, skill, violence. | | | |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 20:54 - Nov 11 with 1183 views | Kiwi76 |
As with QPR it’s hope that kills…
Tournament buried here on equivalent of BT Sport who don’t cover league at all - little/no interest vs Womens WC Rugby & until midweek 20:20 WC
C’mon Kiwi’s!! | | | |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 21:32 - Nov 11 with 1169 views | Northernr |
That was superb. | | | |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 21:38 - Nov 11 with 1155 views | Kiwi76 |
Feck it! | | | |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 21:45 - Nov 11 with 1149 views | MrSheen |
| Rugby League World Cup. on 21:38 - Nov 11 by Kiwi76 |
Feck it! |
Volcanic stuff, but how can the Aussies get so little out of Munster, Mitchell and Cleary? | | | |
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