Tex Evans Thigh

I respectfully disagree. Centre is not the position for tall players in the modern game and I dont think he has the football intelligence or skillset to be a top centre. He has the attributes to be a top winger which he already is. Could he do a job in the centre? yes. Will it be his best position? No I can't see it.

I think he's just a straight replacement for Tupou. I'm not sure I'd trust Dom passing the ball or defending in the centre. He can become one of the best wingers in the world at the Roosters though.

It'll be same as this fixture last season at Easter. Comfortable Cas win due to drawing Saints at a very opportune time. Prediction, more Westerman songs.

I remember you saying Halifax couldn't make the play-offs last year after 3 games. It's a long season.

How short is the season like?

I really enjoyed that game from the excellent build up and through the whole game itself. Really good, tough opener with both teams going at it. Leigh looked good, Salford just had a little more quality overall but I can see both teams having good seasons. How good was it to see the LSV full as well, looked like a great atmosphere and hopefully the crowds keep coming. The wins won't be far away. I do think they would have benefitted from bringing in a top controlling half but they aren't exactly ten a penny.

That’s fair and believe me I felt the burn! I’m confident we’ll get a good season from the 4 teams and have something to build on in the north east.

They aren't competing, that's the point and you don't have to think too hard to realize that getting 4 teams back up and running and playing in a competitive league is a benefit. Unfortunately, in this case the only way to do that was to create a new regional league. I agree there should be a national layer over the top with overall responsibility for national affairs but, with the current landscape, that body would need to be a lot less prescriptive in how the regions run their leagues. That's just the reality. Don't let great be the enemy of good. It's positive that the four teams have got a league set-up and can finally start playing again with the scope for growth. Also great that DC have rejoined the fold.

There's is nothing wrong in each region having their own governing body/organizing committee because, as someone mentioned, the sheer size of the US means you need to have regional leagues given the sport is amateur and has no money. A national governing body to oversee everything and manage the national team, inter-league rep games etc would be ideal but given the nature of the beast the regional leagues need some autonomy within that model. The RLU is the fallout of the USARL not really satisfying requirements of many to be that national body (which they technically are as per IRL recognition). It's basically the old USARL north teams going it alone and getting away from the BS to just play some games. It will be good to get a proper league going again this year and there is scope to grow if other teams wanted to join in future years. Much more positive than negative to this news. It also finally puts to bed the farce that was the NARL.

Milk is unsurpassed. Also enjoyed Video-ezy, and Power from those 90s Ozzy jerseys. Linpac is a classic (don't think anyone has mentioned yet that it was the first shirt sponsor in the UK). Good memories of the Hull Shopacheck, Greenhalls and ICI. Batley's Fox's Biscuits is pretty iconic for RL sponsors.

Lee Crooks

Round 1 might the best time to play them before all their new players gel, but of course you could say that about Fev as well. I can see this being close with Fev getting away from them in the last 15 and winning by 10-12.

Couldn't agree more. Got really into cricket since working from home, it's made for it! Incidentally, I checked Viaplay in the US and even though it's only $4.99 per month, you can only get it through Roku or Xfiniti.

For what players go through to make the grade and stay there, they are paid a pittance. One of the hardest sports in the world and you get paid more in a supermarket. Frankly, its a joke.

No he won't. No one affiliated with Rugby League has ever received one and that won't change, especially in 3 years when Kev's efforts will be less recent. There's a reason it happens and in today's society that reason is more important to them than ever.

You think too much of me Mike.

That should do it

I kind of agree but also seems strange not having a game in the capital, particularly if part of the aim is to raise the profile of the game in France.

They cant even be attracted to games in Sydney.

Sorry I had no idea this was serious. Carry on, it’s a great idea.

Also an extra year to build and prepare is not the impediment it’s being made out to be. Especially with covid all but forgotten by most now compared to a year ago with Omicron etc.

What’s naive? Fans for criticizing the organizers for not adapting or the organizers themselves for not understanding very very basic facts such as people being generally worse off? Good god, you are Dutton and a claim my tediously earned £5.

Jamaica wouldn’t have the same squad as you’re depriving them of their SL players. A select team of Q cup and NSW cup players representing Australia would still flog Jamaica, Greece, Italy etc by 60-80 points. Appreciate this is a bit of a joke thread but the results would be even more lopsided with the weak teams not able to call upon professionals to bolster them.

What next? Hmmm let me see. I reckon a few weeks of players and coaches asking for more internationals, NRL and SL paying lip service to it and saying they support international RL but then being blockers rather than supporters. The toothless IRL eventually get their significantly modified 10 year plan approved by the Australian domestic league and we’re off to the races with a game between Cook Islands and NZ as curtain raiser to origin 3 and then a pacific cup at the end of the season that somehow doesn’t have Tonga v Samoa and PNG excluded entirely. All games played Tuesday morning at Leichardt Oval. Meanwhile England play France at Warrington in front of 2000 people and win 70-0. Everyone complains that it’s a waste of time and it gets scrapped in 2024 in favor of a game between England and England Knights. Ireland, Wales and Scotland play a tournament with League 1 squads in a park in Cumbria because it’s near Scotland. GB come back for a 2024 tour with Schofield and Hanley as coaches but Australia refuse to play and we lose to NSW country select. Excitement builds for 2025, which is farcically organized in front of tiny crowds and Australia, despite looking like the worst Australia squad in living memory beat NZ 36-12. Calls for more internationals follow and repeat ad infinitum.

You might find the outcome depressingly similar to the actual World Cup. Probably even more lopsided.