Sat 9 Nov: Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers Match Thread

[John Drake]

Discuss this weekend's Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers here.

Sat 9 Nov
Serbia v Greece KO 12pm (UK Time)

Sat 9 Nov
Ireland v Italy KO 7pm

[RayCee]

I'm picking Greece and Ireland, unless Italy is well endowed with Australian players.

[Gavinfrog]

Greece by over 20

Ireland  by 6-12 ☘

[MatthewWoody]

2 hours ago, RayCee said:

I'm picking Greece and Ireland, unless Italy is well endowed with Australian players.

Against Spain, they had 2 domestic players, who started (one scored twice) and the rest Aussie or English born players. But this team actually looks less strong than the 2016 with Campese, etc. Imho given they have 2 years they're trying to gel as a team towards the WC.

Ireland look stronger by the way, with some SL players in. 

It's gonna be interesting.

[MatthewWoody]

Ireland v Italy will be streamed on the Irish FB page 

[MatthewWoody]

 

[flyingking]

Having seen Greece twice this year and met some of their fans, I am hoping they get another chance to play in the UK in 2021.

[bird]

23 hours ago, MatthewWoody said:

Ireland v Italy will be streamed on the Irish FB page 

To be shown from 6.30. Showing now is GB Lions 6 v Irleand Clubs XIII 4.

[GeordieSaint]

What was the Serbia - Greece score today?

[Scubby]

2 minutes ago, GeordieSaint said:

What was the Serbia - Greece score today?

82-6 to Greece

[MatthewWoody]

Two homegrown players start.

[MatthewWoody]

[MatthewWoody]

18-4 

[MatthewWoody]

 

[MatthewWoody]

 

[flyingking]

Congratulations to Greece who fully deserve their place at the World Cup.

Let's hope that their success will lead to the Greek authorities recognising them as an official national team and stop their efforts to hinder the game.

[MatthewWoody]

 

[RayCee]

The Beeb are at it again, writing articles on RL. This is on the sport front page at the minute too. 

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/50363554

[thirteenthman]

12 hours ago, flyingking said:

Congratulations to Greece who fully deserve their place at the World Cup.

Let's hope that their success will lead to the Greek authorities recognising them as an official national team and stop their efforts to hinder the game.

It's good to see some new blood at the tournament and hopefully they can tap in to support from some of the Greek communities in the UK. 

It would also be good if they keep some of the domestic players in the squad for the RLWC and don't just go for an all heritage team from Sydney. 

[MatthewWoody]

5 minutes ago, thirteenthman said:

It's good to see some new blood at the tournament and hopefully they can tap in to support from some of the Greek communities in the UK. 

It would also be good if they keep some of the domestic players in the squad for the RLWC and don't just go for an all heritage team from Sydney. 

They are already almost totally heritage....

[thirteenthman]

4 minutes ago, MatthewWoody said:

They are already almost totally heritage....

Not fully, but I take your point. It was 5 domestic players in the squad for the qualifiers, I think? Something similar would be good, although I do appreciate the reasons why teams don't include domestic players in the RLWC. 

[MatthewWoody]

5 in the whole squad or in the 17 who played? 

[thirteenthman]

8 minutes ago, MatthewWoody said:

5 in the whole squad or in the 17 who played? 

5 in the whole squad. According to the report I read, 2 of the domestic players scored in the Serbia game yesterday. 

[wackojacko]

Got to really hope that Greece can solve this now, need a federation that can capitalize on a World Cup.

[Damien]

Its good to see Greece win. Greece qualifying for the World Cup should substantially bolster their fight for the game in their country.