Niels

You were spot on about Saturday! I think the Pacific players play a lot better for Australia. They don't seem to have the same belief without the Australians as team mates. It works the other way around too I think. Australia look less effective without their pacific players. New Zealand are different as they are all of Maori descent?

I would argue it's better to take time and have the correct decision. Cricket uses a similar system which is very effective. I think it helps the smaller teams as usually the perception is that the dominant sides, in all sports, seem to get an unconcious benefit of the doubt. Therefore it gives the smaller teams an opportunity to redress this, especially if used correctly.

I'd like to see Greece win. I remember visiting Rhodes where their best team play. I think there was a Greek fan on the forum here who answered some questions about them. A close game would be good also.

I think anything that can correct a wrong decision has to be good. It's also entertaining for fans.

You got a good bet. I lost a £5 free bet on the Liverpool v Man City game. In hindsight, Liverpool at 13/5 were the best bet to have. I opted for 10/11 Man City, which was poor considering Liverpool never lose at home.

I thought Italy played very well. They looked very cohesive and in Brown had the best player on the field. Having seen Scotland last week I thought Italy would win but didn't have the conviction to bet on them.

They were very quick to be fair.

Thanks, yes that is the crux of the point I was making.

Once in a lifetime means "very rare or rarely". Even taken literally, prior to this, there have been 3 world cups here in 50 years. How many people do you know who have seen Australia here more than once? My point was, sides such as Australia rl, The All Blacks, Brasil selecao, do attract large crowds here, sometimes more than in their own countries. It isn't "unbelievable" or a slight on their own fans. It's because we see them rarely and fans take the opportunity to watch them. In any case, those finding it an issue that more fans attended here must be unaware that we have nearly three times the population of Australia. So for example, crowds in the USA for soccer world cups often exceed what nation teams get in their own countries. Because of the rarity of seeing these sides and the large population there.

That is very impressive.

They attract bigger crowds here because so many people want to see them and it is for many a once in a lifetime opportunity. The game in Canberra was against France who aren't a draw here either.

For me it's great seeing Australia again. It's like the football world cup when Brasil have their first game.

I read the Racing Post preview. They thought England were value. Therefore I put a small bet on at 10/1. I just think the key factor is they avoid Aus/NZ until the final.

I understand your point. I remember Lille won the season before last. They had a good side with a number of Portuguese and Turkish players who seemed to blend together.

I think you have explained this perfectly with a new angle. I can think of a lot of questions but I am not sure I really understand the details of the plan. So I am wary of saying anything.

Do we have to pay to see this on the App?

I thought they would have been more hardened with the Catalans players and able to give the too sides a closer game Fages is a massive miss of course. They don't seem to have benefitted from him as much as I thought. Though as Nagama showed last night, it's a lot different playing internationally than for St Helens.

I don't know much about Fiji but I read they have 4 players who played in the NRL final. Did they not play tonight? I did think about your comments about England being under estimated against the Pacific nations when I was watching the game. Also it is English conditions here which must be an advantage? Or do they play in Winter in Australia? Australia only give 30 start to Fiji on the betting, which seems low after tonight?

I noticed Derek came over to applaud the Batley fans and encouraged his players to do the same. This was at the end of the game when Leigh were entitled to solely enjoy winning. I thought this showed a very magnanimous and respectful attitude.

You have persuaded me that England are a great bet to reach the final! However there are no odds for each way I don't think. It would have to be win then back Australia/New Zealand to win the final and ensure a profit?

I think Jamaica were expecting him to play for them.

Yes you are absolutely correct in your assessment. This format is very unusual. It is the lack of Interchange between the 2 halves of the draw that is incongruent with other tournaments. In all football world cups, European Championships, sides can move between both halves of the draw, depending on their position in the group. This is obviously fairer as any side can meet another. English fans will like it as they are the main beneficiaries. They can play as badly as they wish and avoid Australia and New Zealand until the final.

I seem to be one of the few who like Australia. France will be interesting for me also though I would have liked to see Fages play. Similar with Scotland and Coote. I also like watching countries I've been to so that leaves Wales and Greece I think I will try to watch all the games.

In fairness though they would have stayed up any year with that number of points. It wasn't because of other teams.

No, it's a Vauxhall, same car as before. It's so high because we had a Policy Cancelled (by them) even though only by a failed direct debit.