Chris22

I think to blame the tournament organisers for this is really harsh. It looks dreadful. But it's just very bad luck!

Excitement levels are getting ridiculous now!

Tomorrow is going to look brilliant on TV. The following week's England fixture at Bolton will be mostly full too. The women's Euro's had an empty stand at Leigh, 8,000 at a 32,000 capacity St Mary's. It was still a success. Getting big crowds at England matches and latter stage are essential. We'll get good publicity for England v Brazil too, which will break records. I hope sales will pick up as the tournament goes on. Ticket prices are a worry. We are going in a bit blind in terms of ticket sales for most matches, so hard to judge how we're doing!

How many years to the next restructure then? I'll be optimistic and go 5!

Ackers is very unfortunate to miss out. I wonder if he's picked up a knock? Agree with Young over Hall. Squad gives little indication about who will play at half back. I'd have probably gone Batchelor over Pearce Paul, but maybe Wane thinks the latter is more versatile and can also cover centre.

40,000 now sold for St James' Park on Saturday. Less than 5,000 left for Bolton (so same as a few weeks ago) Sales for England v Greece are "decent" according to Jon Dutton 10,000+ expected at Headingley for Australia v Fiji (not sure how this tallys with all seats almost sold) Tonga v Cook Islands at Middlesbrough is struggling. 10,000+ sold for England v Brazil women's opener. Dutton talking a lot about hoping for a build in sales as tournament progresses and some matches not being where they would want. https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/jon-dutton-world-cup-tickets-25246828

It's not unique to this tournament. Australia played Fiji in 2013 group stages and then in the semi final. Same for England v New Zealand in 2008. I'm not sure whether this has happened in other sports World Cups? Personally, I'm not bothered. I don't think it undermines the credibility of the tournament nor enter the conscience of a casual viewer. I do get why others feel differently though.

Sort of on topic... I thought this was a good interview with Tomkins. https://www.menshealth.com/uk/mental-strength/a41554413/talking-heads-alastair-campbell-sam-tomkins/

I'm starting to think the same. Otherwise, there would have been an update regarding ticket sales at today's launch event.

Can use this link to pick your team. I'd recommend as more engagement = more publicity and investment. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/63163800

If successful, the RFL pay their legal fees.

I've made the point before but regardless of what anyone thinks of the parties involved or their representatives. It doesn't matter because this is happening, and we can't stop it. I have no idea whether the claims will succeed or not but we already face the impact. The RFL's insurance premiums quadrupling for one. I dread to think of the size of the legal bills, or any compensation payout if successful. This is a major worry for the sport. Thankfully, we've taken huge strides since these players have retired. HIAs being the main one and mandatory stand down periods for concussion. More to do, as always, but we've come a long way in the last 10 years. Take a look at this video (not the best quality). This happened in 2011 and Luke Robinson played on. That would never happen now and we're better for it.

The latest Facebook sponsored advert coming my way states that Cat D seats are sold out at St Helens for Tonga v PNG, Cat C seats are 70% sold and standing tickets are "selling fast".

Wane has started Knowles as a prop before and I wouldn't rule out him doing that again so Knowles and Radley start.

Whenever there is a reference to a "straight red card" in rugby league. There is no other form of red card! (I can see myself reviving this thread every so often!)

Didn't see the match but given the strength of Wales' squad, that's no disgrace.

48-12 to Tonga.

Winners = New Zealand Runners Up = England Top try scorer = Dom Young Dark Horse = Lebanon England? = Finalists

I know it would be a huge call to drop Tomkins but he hasn't looked fit for a while now. A fit Tomkins is unquestionably in, but I don't think he is. Young has earned his spot. I'd go: Welsby, Makinson, Farnworth, Watkins, Young, Williams, Sneyd, Burgess, Ackers, Thompson, Bateman, Whitehead, Radley Knowles, Lees, Oledski, McIlorum

Do suspect we might be best going with a spine of... 1. Welsby, 6. Williams, 7. Sneyd Against Samoa next week.

Well, this is certainly going better than the last England World Cup warm up at Salford against Italy! Been quite impressed by England. The combination on the right edge look very sharp. Fiji look in dire need of this warm up match. A very disjointed performance.

If I was a player suspended for discrimatory language, I'd want to know why I was banned, yet the CEO of the RFL should be 'educated'.

I'll answer my own question...no! I bought the cheapest Cat D tickets for the matches at Saints. The majority of this category are the terraces behind the sticks but also the seats at the far ends of each stand. I'm not particularly bothered either way, but in this instance, when I purchased I didn't know whether I was sitting or standing! I do wish we would have made more use of ticket bundles. I bought early and got a 3 match bundle at Saints for £40. By comparison, those equivalent tickets now costs £25 per match (£75 in total). I get rewarding early purchase, but see no reason why these bundles were withdrawn so soon.

I think events where you can't pick your seats are where there is some form of ballot and you just have to get what you can. So rugby league events would have that luxury. I have no practical experience in ticket sales, events etc. But in I.T, you always hear talk about reducing numbers of 'clicks' and saving time. Our process for the World Cup involves too many clicks and too much searching before you can buy tickets. In some cases, are you even able to select a stand?

60% of Cat C seats and 65% of Cat D seats for the New Zealand v Lebanon at Warrington. No idea how that translates in terms of actual numbers but...