League Express Editorial: The game that England needed

[League Express]

Whatever might be your views on the attractiveness of the mid-season fixture with the Exiles, an England Rugby League win is always welcome.

Fewer than 8,000 people found the game attractive enough to venture out on a wet Friday evening to see the game, and viewing figures for the live telecast will also be revealing.

As a spectator event, the Exiles games have proved a hard sell for Rugby League as the game is perceived by many supporters as having no 'meaning'. Despite the chance to see their representatives playing for the next to last time before going into the World Cup, many fans prefer to stay at home.

It's an attitude that doesn't seem to affect other sports, with for instance soccer international friendlies always well supported and even what appear as meaningless games to many, rugby union Barbarians matches, often drawing huge crowds.

We'd expect the Rugby Football League to be doing all it can to try and change the perception.

The spectator appeal of the Exiles game is really secondary.The fixture was designed to give the England team a mid-season test, with no other international opposition deemed up to the task.

On that front it would be hard to argue that the Exiles clash is not a success, and for England to emerge winners against a highly experienced and talented team is a positive sign.

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[South Wakefield Sharks]

Good article. The Exiles game this year was always about what happened on the pitch. Some good things from England, some things to improve on, and another opportunity for Team England to be together. Add in the fact that England beat the Exiles, a step up from the wins over Wales & France, and England should go into the World Cup with plenty of confidence and self belief.

 

What was also revealing both in the matchday programme and in this months RL World, was the amount of times England players were saying how good it was to be part of the England set up. Remember only a few years ago, when our top stars were quoting the lure of union's international game as a reason for quitting the game. Now being a part of the England set up is an attraction to play the game.

[Northern Sol]

If it is "meaningness" then how come people get upset when we lost?

[christopher]

If it is "meaningness" then how come people get upset when we lost?

And it seems when we win!

[South Wakefield Sharks]

And it seems when we win!

 Ha ha, that's league for you. Overheard a guy at half-time bemoaning the fact that "you learn nothing when it's as one sided as this". We're a tough lot to please.

[JohnM]

I disagree. Some are not tough to please....they are IMPOSSIBLE to please.Whatever it is, if it's the RFL- they are agin it.

[Ant]

People find reason to complain about the CC final, RL's biggest stumbling block in my lifetime has been its own fans (and clubs)