Waynebennettswinger

I seem to remember a similar situation with Johns and Kimmorley in the past. And also that time they played about 13 full backs.

Or the Home Bargains Saints

Latest RLWC episode has dropped and it’s the great Jamie Peacock -

PNG for me too, whilst they did have a few decisions go against them, they unfortunately bombed too many chances against Tonga as said above. Seems funny to say when they have conceded big scores but I have also been impressed with Greece, Italy and Wales as much for really having a go at times. Been much less impressed with Scotland and Ireland in comparison.

Yes, I wouldn’t disagree with that. That was why I was saying that something is wrong, whether pricing or location. I don’t have the answers Jim, and I think you make a good point. I just think it is a crying shame that the effort these lads are putting in isn’t getting the crowds it deserves.

Just got back from the match. Great effort from Italy, lovely to see them push the ball and have a dig, Australia were always going to be too good. Have to say that although the attendance looked more than officially announced, to have the stadium announcer praising the ‘wonderful’ attendance was pitiful. I am sure there will be plenty of reasons given for the low number but something somewhere is wrong when we can’t fill stadiums in the heartlands.

My son has travelled from Milan for this one, good group of family going, I think we are resigned to the fact that this will be a walk over but hoping for a semi decent crowd and will try to get the atmosphere going. Forza Italia!

Looking forward to the pre- match plate smashing. Really hope it’s a useful workout for England but imagine it will be a walk over.

2nd option is the one, I think. That said I seem to remember Makinson at centre VS New Zealand once and he had a great game, not sure if my memory is playing tricks on me though.

Would be made up if that comes off

I agree, it was a much bigger announced attendance than what it looked like to me on TV (probably due to stadium size and empty seats.) I guess we’re not comparing like with like but if you look at the attendances for the NZ match in Warrington and the Tonga V PNG match in St Helens then the attendance in Coventry is great in comparison, in my opinion. People will probably argue about games being mid week etc but you have one match with a top ranked team with genuine superstars of the game and the other match being built up to (and living up to) game of the tournament so far with again top quality players, both these games in the heartlands and neither attracting full stadia then I don’t see the point in being critical of the attendance in Coventry.

I haven’t got around to watch this documentary yet, it’s next on the list, but the first documentary and Rob Burrows book had me in tears. The High Performance Podcast are running RLWC specials. The first guest was Sam Burgess, the second is Lindsay Burrow….

I have had the pleasure of watching all three, even as a Saints fan I can say Hanley is far and away the best player I have ever seen. To class Sculthorpe and Roby merely as ‘good’ though is a little off the mark but if that is your opinion then you are, of course, entitled to it.

The next episode comes out tomorrow and features Lindsey Burrow wife of Rob Burrow.

And England and France internationally.

Fair comment, my response due to Vossy’s opinions around Leopards being in no way connected to the town of Leigh, you’re right though Rhinos has worked because Leeds made it work.

In fairness, I have never seen a Rhino in Leeds but that was a bloody brilliant rebrand in my opinion.

Excellent first half from Wales. Group D is looking interesting. Not convinced that PNG and Tonga will have it all their own way.

Sure you know but Hughes has a real Rugby League background as well. I am sure it is down to him that RL guests get on there.

He’s not my favourite person tbh but the podcasts are good and for the RLWC specials apparently Professor Damian Hughes is the sole presenter.

On the listings I saw it said Warriors, not sure which Warriors though?

Not sure if anyone has posted a link to this but The High Performance Podcast (which is a great listen and has guests on from Business, Sport and Entertainment) is running RLWC specials. The first one is Sam Burgess, great listen and quite emotional at points. Not sure who else they have lined up yet but previous guests have been Kevin Sinfield and Shaun Wane.

Got to agree with this. I was at the other end of the ground. I have excellent eye sight (can even see forward passes that aren’t when against my team ) and could just make out the time but I thought it was really poor not to have the scoreboard in use. Thank god for the players! I love my Rugby League but as an event to attend as a neutral I thought that there were things that as a sport we just get badly wrong such as ticket pricing, publicity and little (yet important ) things like the scoreboard. I’ll always go to games like these but we need to be attracting others and we need to be filling stadiums in the heartlands!

Not sure how that came across on TV but live that was a terrific game. Both teams deserved a full stadium. Great effort from both sides.