Alan Robertson

I heard, a few months ago, that he'd picked up a big knock - I didn't realise that he was still injured. It sounds like an interesting sequence - injured at Wests, go to Warrington, back to Wests next season...

I've not seen too many recent Tigers games, what's his form been like?

Yes, I think I heard a commentator refer to a sideline ban for HO.

I messaged an acquaintance who attended the match; he has also attended 'countless' UK-based matches. The acquaintance doesn't have the same platform as Chris Foy but he thought the atmosphere was fairly poor. Like many scenarios, as we all recognise, there is a lot of subjectivity regarding this issue. I have minimal doubt that the peak volume is 'extremely high' in a typical Aussie stadium. However, there are often 'extended durations' when the volume drops 'particularly low'. I'd love some actual data to make this slightly more objective but, even then, it would depend on what a fan is 'looking for' in a stadium's atmosphere.

'Most' Australian RL fans do seem to perceive Origin as the pinnacle of the sport. This notion only seems to have grown over the last 20 years or so. The most commonly cited reason is the 'lack of competitiveness in international rugby league'. However - I'll admit that I'm cherry-picking a bit here but, using the 2005 season as a starting point, New Zealand (for example) possess a greater proportion of international tournament victories relative to NSW's proportion of series victories. NZ series victories occurred in the 2005 Tri-Nations, the Four Nations (2010, 2014), a World Cup (2008), the Pacific Championship (2023). Each of these tournaments, of course, included Australia. NSW have also won five series in that time but they've lost more often too (due to Origin never dropping of the fixture list). As I said, cherry-picked/anecdotal, call it what you like but - 'competively speaking' - the last 20 years of international rugby league has been at least as unpredictable as Origin.

Those people are wrong Seriously though, I have attended countless matches on each side of the Pennines and plenty in Queensland, NSW and Victoria. This includes Grand Finals in each country and Origin games in QLD and NSW. I'll admit that I haven't attended an Origin game in Victoria. The general atmosphere in England (pretty much any ground/stadium that I've attended) is 'way better' than any Aussie stadium that I have been to. Aussie crowds do 'make noise' in very small bursts - around tries and other 'big moments'. However, during 'general play', I've experienced 80000 people watch a game 'in silence'. From memory, the best atmosphere that I experienced in Australia was at the 2017 WC Final (despite the result being devastating). Suncorp wasn't full, that's a different story for another day, but the England fans in attendance ensured that the noise was raised relative to the usual 'library experience'. Edit: I have a mate/acquaintance who attended the Melbourne game who's also originally from England. I'll message him and ask how he felt the atmosphere was compared to a) a typical game in QLD (where we both live) and b) a game in the UK.

Yes, I find it staggering. When I first visited Suncorp many years ago, I couldn't believe how little atmosphere there was within the stadium (despite being surrounded by 40000 others). By total coincidence, my seat was next to that of an (Aussie) ex-SL player (I won't say who but he used to play for Cas). I explained how amazed I was at the lack of atmosphere and he was happy to agree. (Maybe he just wanted me to shut up )

I can't disagree with any of that. Whilst commentators always have a responsibility to explain what's going on, on Origin nights, I suppose that responsibility is heightened due to the number of 'extra/casual' viewers. Generally, it does feel like the commentary team are poorly directed/managed by their bosses. In my opinion - the issues are exacerbated by the 'play-by-play' commentator, Mat Thompson, not being as proficient as his counterparts on Fox. Regarding the 'colour commentators', Channel 9 tend to hire the 'big names' rather than the ex-pros-who-happen-to-be-able-to-commentate.

I'm not saying I disagree but which Ch 9 commentator(s) in particular?

Wigan by 13+

I know a couple of blokes who have played both NRL and SL. They're acquaintances rather than mates but, either way, they both found NRL more physical than SL.

Neither player should have received a sin bin.

About 10200 miles and, including getting to and from the airports, over 24 hours of travel.

Out of interest, is Sutton 47 or 49 because the article states that he is both ages? I mean, if '47 and 48' had been stated, I might just have assumed that he celebrated a birthday during the time that the article was being written.

The basketball analogy is absolutely ridiculous. However, I imagine that plenty of 'NFL rejects' have the potential to play in some of rugby league's less technical positions.