Lowdesert

James Graham. https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2021-rugby-league-world-cup-cost-date-postponed-cancelled-australia-new-zealand-reaction-james-graham/news-story/a98132835f7ab78758f874791c4b48ec “We’re here watching the Olympic Games go on, we all witness Wimbledon happen featuring athletes from all around the world, there’s a Golf Open happening, the Wallabies and All Blacks are about to tour to Europe. “What that tends to suggest is it is not a Covid issue. I know speaking to people back home, they are really angry that the commission are hiding behind Covid and perceived player welfare and using hypothetical situations. “What it tends to suggest is that it is not a Covid issue, it is a lack of prestige, a lack of respect, a lack of any potential financial gain for the NRL and clubs to get off this World Cup. “Peter V’landys spoke about when rugby league is in a time of crisis we come together. Maybe he should live by that and help get this World Cup on. I’m not saying he is hiding behind Covid but that is what he is being accused of back in England.”

Wayne Bennet has his say and supports any Souths players who want to go. Calls out NRL on double standards. “Who is going to deprive them? It’s not the right of the club,” he said. “We don’t have an option when it comes to playing Origin or for Australia. If we refuse to play for Australia we get stood down. What’s going to happen for these players that want to play for their countries? “It’s a complete double standard. If a player wants to play and the club says he can’t but if a player doesn’t want to play and the game says you’ve got to play. There’s got to be a balance there.” Bennett was not taking aim though at Australia or New Zealand for pulling out but insisted international rugby league does not revolve around those two nations. https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/wayne-bennett-has-called-out-double-standards-in-a-passionate-fiveminute-defence-of-international-rugby-league/news-story/8ce5da4841f9ea2a971a2376ae497c37

I think we have look at this in several ways before decision making. Last minutes decision by a national organisation. The decision is the NRLs, not the Players. The Players appear not to have been consulted by the NRL. The Players Union, who were asked to act for the NRL to provide feedback on an international game (Denver) have been ignored on this occasion. The IRL have been ignored and shown to be a toothless quango. Grant says he has been in communication with the RLPA but no mention of being in communication with the NRL. https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7353083/australia-nz-pull-out-of-league-world-cup/?cs=14274

This is what Grant (IRL) is indicating. He is saying "I have been in regular communication with the RLPA and a number of international players and coaches who have been satisfied with the World Cup's biosecurity arrangements and expressed a clear determination to travel to England and proudly represent their nations," Grant said in a statement. "They have expressed to me that they feel their own personal choice to participate or not in the World Cup has been taken from them.“

Speed, stamina and skill, with speed being the only one that is natural. Sure, you can make a player faster but they would never run as fast as a player who has had the same speed related training. Youngs attempted tackle just backed up my comments on another thread though, that fundamental tackling skills are lacking these days and that the tackle from the rear especially is highly skilled. His effort was too early but might have also been exacerbated by the risk of him tackling over the ball carriers shoulder and being called for ‘head high’. Either way, his attempt was dunnage.

Wouldn’t surprise me if Dominic Young’s sprint last week, to then fail in the tackle, was up there as well. Astonishing pace.

I think the first time I heard ‘works the scrum’ was in a picture of a mate of mine playing for Woy Woy. Would’ve been late 1980’s. Before that, never heard it. Great story btw.

Some Aussie media suggesting he is homesick.

He’s not a 13 for me, but whatever role it is, is not right for him. I don’t buy the lack of fitness now either. He’s fit enough. I didn’t see last weeks game but saw he played 30 odd minutes. Tolman is very predictable and one paced now, but is having more impact than Thompson, which I never dreamed would happen.

Thompson does not seem happy at all and I’m sure he is playing in the wrong position. I’ve watched them twice and he doesn’t get enough ball. Guys with a big engine need plenty of work.

Gets better every week. If he carries on, the England position will be his for a good few years.

If I didn’t know better, I could have easily thought Thompson had been bought his decoy/blocking runs. He does a hell of a lot, completely different than when he was the go-to forward at Saints.

Aubusson has been a very underrated player. Whether his pace and running angles will be enough to create space for Hall remain to be seen. Manu would've been a different entity altogether. I'm going out on a limb and predicting Ryan Hall to score his first try.

Cheers Bob. I didn’t watch it but the commentators did mention he’d put it down. Obviously a case of mistaken identity.

He must have been involved though to get the metreage Dunbar mentioned. It was very low first half. The opposite winger might have an injury sonar yam might hang on in there. I hope so and he can get on the scoresheet.

Ah, ok. The commentators said he put down a scoring chance, so maybe mistaken and I can believe his meterage as it was maybe 5 minutes late updating. 179 is impressive given his first half. And then we look at Taumalolo’s.

He barely got a mention in the commentary first half. He missed a tackle or two. I think he was on something like 50m at half time and then finished with around 130m? (Haven’t checked). The commentary just said ‘PTB by Ryan Hall - no mention of his yardage. They were sympathetic on him not getting a try though. I think it was a half chance.

......and then for the Roosters, Ryan Hall dropped a pass going over the line. Although I couldn’t watch that, I listened.

Amazing performance by Bateman today after such an operation. He would’ve been expected to drop off a tackle or two, but barring the odd blip, it looked as if he’d never been away.

Both good reads. McIntyre is a writer I enjoy. Try Agent Zig Zag. Unbelievable story of a chancer, womaniser, etc etc becoming a double agent between Germany and England during Ww2 years.

This thread is the only one really. No BS and some great stories and pictures.

It could be Featherstone (Acton Hall colliery). It was in a built up area and had a chimney. Strangely I think I remember it from going to Post Office road. Of course, I will be wrong!

Could be the dawning of a new type of game and era. With the Melbourne pack in front of you and the wrestling control they’ve had, Smith could walk to each PTB. Different now. No doubt a very good player, but without a dominant pack, I feel there are a few that have been better.

That does not surprise me one bit. Norman seemed to have other things on his mind. Strength in depth shows they must be confident enough to do it. Not many clubs here could make those kind of decisions.

Continue to breath normally. Pull your stomach in. Focus on keeping it there using the core muscles and it will strengthen them and pull them in. It takes time but in a month to 6 weeks you will see the difference of core engagement in the work outs. You will feel it and it is also ideal for those wanting to lose weight, when really, they want to change shape. I promised not to be a smart ar$e so will leave it to you lads ?