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Damien last won the day on March 14
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Exciting Times in New Zealand
Damien replied to The Rocket's topic in The General Rugby League Forum
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Ireland, Scotland, Italy and Lebanon demotion
Damien replied to Damien's topic in The General Rugby League Forum
There were sessions in Ireland but too few and too sporadic. I think 4 weeks is a stretch to beat lads with RL smarts and experience. You also arent going to get a team of top notch talent for that anyway. Timing is also key. The real issue is the governing body and its approach. That is the major barrier and obstacle. Decide to focus on youth development in Ireland, with Irish coaches and volunteers, and the rest can be worked out. -
Ireland, Scotland, Italy and Lebanon demotion
Damien replied to Damien's topic in The General Rugby League Forum
Yep, loads of talent across GAA and RU. As I said plenty of good players did attend the few sessions in Ireland. RL hasn't even scratched the surface of it. -
Ireland, Scotland, Italy and Lebanon demotion
Damien replied to Damien's topic in The General Rugby League Forum
Just on Canada as you mention it: The Canada Rugby League Association (CRLA) and Iroquois Roots Rugby are pleased to announce today a new collaboration for youth that builds off of the success to date of this important Indigenous program. As of today, Iroquois Roots Rugby’s age 4-12 youth program becomes a recognized club of the Canada Rugby League Association. Iroquois Roots runs a number of youth teams and camps, introducing the sport to children, and using sport to teach important lifelong values. Iroquois Roots has also established an outreach program to Indigenous reserves across Eastern Canada. On today’s announcement, Melanie Squire, Co-founder of Iroquois Roots said “This partnership comes at an integral time for our Mini Rugby program, which continues to grow exponentially. The support of the CRLA will have a profound impact on our organization, and in turn, help us continue offering rugby in under-served areas in Canada.” ... Iroquois Roots Youth registration takes place later this spring, with a full summer calendar planned. The CRLA will also be working with its domestic leagues, Rugby League BC (RLBC) and the Ontario RL (ORL) in launching four U-17 teams, which will compete in a national championship this fall. https://europeanrugbyleague.com/articles/2392/canada-rugby-league-leapfrogs-developmen?fbclid=IwAR2zvgFyC_NqmfiJo6q6ph3rqmcNusNk5VKt5bkBSrbbd7DCZov5c4PsJTU -
Great to see Young get his first try for the Roosters. A great effort too:
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Ireland, Scotland, Italy and Lebanon demotion
Damien replied to Damien's topic in The General Rugby League Forum
Ireland Rugby League absolutely shouldn't be taking the approach they do. This demotion proves that. It's the easy option and the pathetic thing is that Ireland laud results when their England E team do okay against an England D team. Its real administrators giving themselves a pat on the back for doing sweet FA stuff. With the best will in the world the English players that Ireland are picking at these levels are largely the players that don't sign professional and don't get picked for England Community or Acadmeny teams. They come out with nonsense about pathways but bar a fluke these are not the lads who are going to be good enough at senior level anyway (when Ireland will just pick whatever professional heritage players anyway). If they are they will pick England. The whole thing is a joke. -
The greatest finish ever?
Damien replied to going for the corner's topic in The General Rugby League Forum
It was a fantastic try and a great finish to the game. Melbourne looked down and out but 2 tries in the last 4 minutes, the latter with a finish like that with just seconds remaining, is something really special. -
We've had some decent match ups and I think perception, that feelgood factor and momentum is always key. We have seen time and again that these things can snowball from that.
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Ireland, Scotland, Italy and Lebanon demotion
Damien replied to Damien's topic in The General Rugby League Forum
The biggest bugbear of mine is that Ireland wastes what little it has on trials and training in England and picking English players at u16s, u19s student and A team level. I saw at first hand plenty of Irish lads in Tullamore and Dublin last year who wanted far more from Ireland Rugby League than they provided. They wanted more sessions and games even if it was amongst themselves. They didnt get them and many just gave up, disillusioned with a lack of sessions and the emphasis on English players. That is a complete failure by Ireland Rugby League and a dereliction of its core duty to develop the sport in Ireland. Social media is littered with complaints from past players, coaches and volunteers (at least until they get deleted by Ireland Rugby League) about the Ireland Rugby League. I am so glad the IRL have called them out on this sham. -
7,221, a fantastic crowd for the Championship. Must be Wakefield's highest crowd for years too due to the ground improvements and restrictions.
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TotalRL.com in Back! I think....???
Damien replied to John Drake's topic in The General Rugby League Forum
@John Drake not wanting to put a downer on things but it seems awfully slow to me with loads of timeout errors. -
Wigan quickly sell out their Good Friday allocation without them even going on general sale. With Saints also selling out we have a Good Friday sellout already:
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This situation is plainly down to the club gambling on promotion the last couple of years and spending money that it couldn't afford. Fev arent the first and won't be the last in doing this.
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Will 2024 be the best NRL season ever?
Damien replied to Damien's topic in The General Rugby League Forum
The Broncos become the first NRL club to have over 50,000 members, 53,672 to be exact: