Mon 14 Nov: Women's RLWC SF: England v New Zealand KO 7.30pm

[Man of Kent]

Disappointing performance. There was almost none of the delightfully enterprising rugby against PNG.

Obviously it’s a lot harder to play well behind a beaten pack but we didn’t do ourselves justice at all in good ball.

[Futtocks]

1 minute ago, GeordieSaint said:

That Hufanga has battered Hardcastle tonight. Absolutely owned her.

This RWC was Hufanga's international debut, after switching from RU.

So we should assume she'll get better with more experience and the skills picked up in the next few seasons of WNRL.

Eek!

[Man of Kent]

1 minute ago, Agbrigg said:

I see 24 has got m.o.m and thats not a typo

Steady on, chap. Surely she is a woman.

[moorside roughyed]

Well that's it. NZ just had too much in most departments. Plus some of their players were massive,very hard to stop. Well done our girls you tried your hearts out tonight.

[johnh1]

Well played girls. Certainly can't fault the effort.

[Davo5]

Plenty of effort from England but the Kiwis physicality & skill levels were far superior.

[gingerjon]

They gave their all, didn't they?

[GeordieSaint]

Brutal from the Kiwis. Excellent performance. Great effort from the England team. Outmatched but never gave up. 

 

[Wollo Wollo Wayoo]

Just bombed too many last tackle plays.

[Midlands hobo]

7 minutes ago, GeordieSaint said:

That Hufanga has battered Hardcastle tonight. Absolutely owned her.

I think that'll happen to whoever goes up against her next week.

[Bedford Roughyed]

The Women's SL has done great things for the game (after some criminal neglect), but the WNRL is that step above.  

The WNRL attracts the best athletes in the country.  

[Josef K]

Hufanga what a fantastic player. I hope NZ they win the World Cup. 

[Mark S]

Watch NZ ###### the bed against Australia, as Samoa will do in the men’s final. 

[Padge]

A lot of heart and determination shown by the England team, we need to ensure the momentum is not lost on this.

NZ obviously deserved the win, but England were not disgraced they just faced a better team.

[Farmduck]

1 minute ago, moorside roughyed said:

Well that's it. NZ just had too much in most departments. Plus some of their players were massive,very hard to stop. Well done our girls you tried your hearts out tonight.

It wasn't just the big ones though, was it? Apii Nicholls was great, that winger outside Hufanga was good, even when she wasn't feeding off Hufanga, Krystal Rota is always good. They're all small and Rota is 37.

[GeordieSaint]

Just now, Bedford Roughyed said:

The Women's SL has done great things for the game (after some criminal neglect), but the WNRL is that step above.  

The WNRL attracts the best athletes in the country.  

Looks like some of the best from two countries too…

[Futtocks]

Just now, Midlands hobo said:

I think that'll happen to whoever goes up against her next week.

The difference being that we'll enjoy watching it a lot more.

A likeable and upbeat post-match interview from her, too.

[jacksy]

Well done kiwis.

Well done our girls. Difficult task at hand to but never gave up.

Done the women's game no end of good.

The Rugby League need to support the womens game with professionals.

[Hopie]

Two big units on the RHS for the NZ team meant they were very difficult to stop, but I think England have to look at their attacking close to the line as a huge part of the result. Some strange calls didn't help, but not enough to change the winner.

You won't hear it on the TV coverage which is all about how great the "effort" was, but England need to be better to compete. It's a real sport and coverage should reflect mistakes as well as successes.

[shrewsbury roughyed]

Great effort from England against a flint hard, mentally tough, professional, knowledgeable top team. Lots to learn but a great advert for the women’s game, the game in general and an inspiration for the near and longer term future of WRL. Proud to support England WRL. 

Now to Old Trafford-come on you Ferns!!!

[GUBRATS]

Just now, Josef K said:

Hufanga what a fantastic player. I hope NZ they win the World Cup. 

The second rower just inside her make them a very potent weapon on that side , between them they set up most of the problems for England 

[JohnM]

6 minutes ago, jacksy said:

What happened to the set restarts?

Totally disappeared this half.

I didn't see that. There were quite a few, I reckon.

[GeordieSaint]

Cunningham looks like Rocky after Ivan Drago had battered him…

Edited November 14, 2022 by GeordieSaint

[Northern Eel]

That's the end of a really impressive journey for this group of girls. I have followed their progress eagerly and they have improved so much over the last year. They've given NZ are real game there, and NZ are a close match to Australia. That's a terrific effort from England to get close.

In the end, just like the men, we need to be playing the best teams regularly. We are going to have to go looking for that on the international scene. Domestically, we need to ensure that there is investment which matches the talk from those who run the game. You can't big up the ladies and then not back them with what they need.

On a personal level, I have been on a journey with my daughter by my side throughout this tournament. We have bonded, laughed, cheered, and now had a little cry together. There MUST be a lasting legacy for girls all over the country, 

Well played England. Every one of you. You were brilliant.

[GUBRATS]

2 minutes ago, Mark S said:

Watch NZ ###### the bed against Australia, as Samoa will do in the men’s final. 

Quite possibly , that's what RL can be like sometimes