ChristianB

I really don't think there's this gulf between the 'upper nations' that some claim. Australia were not comfortable winners over NZ, NZ barely crept past Fiji, PNG played a blinder against Fiji this summer, Tonga beat Australia not so long ago, Samoa sneaked it against Tonga, and England are 1-1 against Samoa in the space of one month. There's an element of heart-over-head, I admit, but Samoa have my vote for Saturday. They will just be too 'in the face' for an Australia team full of sparkle but low on grunt.

I wholly agree with the OP that Jamaica have been one of the real good news stories of the World Cup. How best to profit upon that is another question. No doubt a match in London would be a very good idea, but where and against who? Given that much of the squad is UK based it is easier to stage financially and practically, but another team would have to fly in. Certainly a match against England would serve no purpose. Perhaps better would be a game actually in Jamaica against Canada, USA, or even Brazil. A big local crowd (and win) would take the sport up several levels to the place it deserves to be in that country. All this aside, everything I read or hear about the sport over there is tremendously encouraging. The future of RL in the Caribbean is bright.

I think both England and France would benefit from a mid to long-term approach in nurturing talent. Perhaps if just one young seventeen or eighteen year-old player from each non-Super League club was nominated into an RFL 'excellence program' (nutrition, fitness and skills) the benefits would be felt throughout the sport within a few years. So much talent withers on the vine of the semi-pro ranks because of financial obligations. Lifting that from the shoulders of a select few would, I believe, reap rewards.

The missed opportunity was in not filling half the grounds with arranged primary school groups. No one who purchased a ticket would have complained (I wouldn't, and I drove myself and my kids over a thousand mile round trip to watch three group matches). Introducing young children to the game is the soundest long term investment you can make.

Follow the signs for Warrington Central Station and there's a huge car park there. Two minute walk to the HJ.

With two very tall three-quarters I'm really surprised Brazil aren't trying cross-field kicks more.

After watching last night's match, France desperately needed three or four more Justin Sangares. You can have all the fleet-footed backs in the world, but without an answer to hugely powerful forwards you are going to get walloped.

I can give you a cast-iron, copper-bottomed, ocean-going guarantee that things are being done properly. There's so much quiet work being done, and all will be good. Plus, we actually have a darn preseason this time!

We travelled 300 miles yesterday to get to Yorkshire and another hour from the hotel to Hull tonight. Worth every bit to see Ben Jones Bishop score and the good feeling in the MKM.

I'm not going to lie, I think the organisers have not read the room with regard to pricing. But... Me and the kids are still travelling up from Cornwall to catch a few games (and to get to one includes another hour drive there and back from the hotel). Why? Because World Cups don't come round that often. If you're free and can afford the cheapest tickets just go!

The time to act was two months ago based on the trajectory for certain games. KS1 and 2 schoolchildren should have been prioritised back then because none of us would have begrudged that kind of investment in the future.

Can't see it after tonight. Lebanon looked sharper and quicker.

My daughter's school ran a bus to a Women's Euro football match in Southampton. From Cornwall. All in it cost us £20. She had a fabulous day (and night) trip, as did the entire coachload of kids. Put it this way, by reaching out to Primary schools alone within five miles, the Halliwell Jones could have been filled to the brim tonight.

I'm inclined to agree. I think Fiji will be very competitive for at least 60 minutes if not the whole 80.

He would have to reverse over Mal Meninga's cat not to.

To be honest, a front row rotation of Burgess, Thompson and Oledski is pretty darn solid. So too a three-quarter line of Makinson, Young, Farnsworth, and Watkins. They'll certainly go toe-to-toe with any other team in the tournament. The problem, however, is if (more likely 'when') one or two end up crocked. That said, I understand why Wane has included old warhorses (no offence intended) like McMeeken and McIlorum. This competition is going to be brutal, so durability will be a major asset from the final group games onward. In summary: cautiously optimistic.

He was a Warrington lad. Grew up friends with the likes of Jim Challinor, and remembered being at Odsal in *that* crowd. But he wasn't partisan. Nor did he have rose coloured spectacles for the past when casting judgement on the young players of today. That's why he rated Cleary so highly. Luke Thompson was another he admired because of his fearlessness and work rate. I'm so sad he won't get to see this World Cup and shall miss him yelling at the television.

In the final year of my dad's life, housebound but as sharp as ever, he took to watching almost every NRL match. He was 88 and had seen countless legendary players come and go. But, in his opinion, Nathan Cleary was one of the two best halfbacks he had ever seen play the game. I only regret forgetting to ask him who the other player was.

Fantastic to hear you enjoyed your first Cornwall RLFC home game (I think I spoke you when you were looking for Gareth?) 12-6 up at halftime and we dared to dream. Next year for sure.

It's genuinely fantastic to hear that you enjoyed your visit to the Memorial Ground. And hats off to your lot for making themselves known with the singing! Everyone at the club is so keen upon making it a great away day for visiting clubs (and RL fans in general) in the coming years, so your words count for a lot. I'd like to say 'see you next year', but not sure you'll be keen from a promotion perspective!!

O, ye of little faith.

Cornwall to be smiled upon by the Gods of League, upset the odds, and get their first home win.

Some have already relocated for the long term. That they are glad to have done so (not least for lifestyle reasons) is a matter of record. The opportunity to play in Cornwall will not suit everyone, but certainly a great many.

Obviously my heart says a Cornwall grab their first win against West Wales, but so does my head. Interesting to see how an ever-improving Skolars go on against Swinton, too.

Heaven knows, these two should have been nailed-on dead certs for top five finishes at the start of the season. Funny old game.