Sun 22 Oct: International: England v Tonga (at Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens) KO 2.30pm

[The Hallucinating Goose]

14 minutes ago, Dunbar said:

Is a lasagne is the 'snack' category?

It is in the Goose household. 

I've already eaten the quiche and crisps. 

Bring on the game!

[Reverend Ram]

3 hours ago, Harry Stottle said:

Most definatley need two specialist props on the bench, neither of your selections of Hill and Burgess are big minute players, Hill understandably so as he is due to recieve his OAP in the next couple of years , serously though he has been a great player but can't help but feel it is time for Wane to give way to younger blood especially with the International programme scheduled in the next couple or three years.

Now I know how much you like your Stats Dunny so for the two players mentioned here they are from last years WC :-

Chris Hill played 5 average time on the field 39.8 minuets.

Tom Burgess played 5 average time on the field 35 .8 minuets.

Didn’t have you down as a Jane Austen fan Harry! Hill and Burgess in minuets and crinoline no doubt is a new kind of on field manoeuvre!

[GeordieSaint]

 

[meast]

22 hours ago, Dunbar said:

Should have made Newman captain.

Captain of himself maybe, but he's been that since he could probably walk  

[Guest]

Decent atmosphere outside. Seems busy.

 

Bit of merch on sale and good queue outside ticket office. 

 

Feels an event and decent crowd for sure. Good weather too.

 

[meast]

4 hours ago, Harry Stottle said:

I think Mr Wolfe has missed a trick and done England a favour by leaving out  Tom Amone and John Asiata from the 17, I will honestly say that I never witnessed an opposition prop better Amone all season, and no other 13 came even close to Asiata for organising, ball distribution and defence, both thoroughly deserved their selection on this years Dream Team.

So being an England fan thanks Mr Wolfe, you have given England much less to contain and think about.

I understand you're loyalty to Leigh and you're right to champion your own players but I suspect Mr WOOLF  knows his squad and players better than a regular Leigh fan?

As much as Amone and Asiata are good players in SL, the players in their positions are seasoned NRL players, it's one thing looking good in a decent team in a league where the quality is nowhere near the NRL but then again those 2 players along with Tui probably know the English players and structures better.

I doubt leaving out 2 Leigh players will determine whether Tonga win the match and series?

[graveyard johnny]

27 minutes ago, GeordieSaint said:

never knew TM was cross eyed?

 

[Guest]

Good to see a few tongans.

Although there were a good few for the PNG world cup game as well.

Always surprises how much England RL merch is about as well. Plenty of jerseys. 

 

[gingerjon]

Nice bit about the game on Five Live. Keen to talk up the strength and recent form of the Tongans.

[Yorky]

25 minutes ago, Leonard said:

Decent atmosphere outside. Seems busy.

 

Bit of merch on sale and good queue outside ticket office. 

 

Feels an event and decent crowd for sure. Good weather too.

 

Great to hear, a good game and big game atmosphere could set the tone for the series.

3 games to really put RL in the shop window of the wider public, a real chance to gain some new fans here

[JonM]

Tongan fans bringing plenty of flags and noise in a way the Aussies and kiwis never do.

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, Yorky said:

Great to hear, a good game and big game atmosphere could set the tone for the series.

3 games to really put RL in the shop window of the wider public, a real chance to gain some new fans here

Although after a season of broncos, 700 would seem busy to me. 

[Futtocks]

Women and wheelchair players included in the BBC's introductory graphics now.

[dkw]

That's an exciting back line if it clicks, great to see Johnstone fit for an international. 

Smith/Lewis will be an Intersting partnership, it's a good controller/runner pairing as long as Lewis is around to run.

[Harry Stottle]

1 hour ago, Reverend Ram said:

Didn’t have you down as a Jane Austen fan Harry! Hill and Burgess in minuets and crinoline no doubt is a new kind of on field manoeuvre!

Whoops, thank you Padre 3 Our Fathers and 3 Hail Mary's for me.

[Dunbar]

I notice the BBC haven't bothered to find out what positions the Tongans are playing in and just listed them 1 to 13 in alphabetical order.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/match/EVP4164831

[JM2010]

1 hour ago, GeordieSaint said:

 

Is Luke Thompson injured or just not picked?

[Futtocks]

Nice to see some live top-class Rugby on terrestrial TV this Autumn.

[bobbruce]

1 hour ago, GeordieSaint said:

 

The starting line up on BBC wasn’t the same as that. They had Lees starting. 

Edited October 22, 2023 by bobbruce

[Ragingbull]

Brilliant interview from Shaun Wane!!

[graveyard johnny]

woolf comes across a lot better than wane - must say

[Dave T]

Couple of great interviews. Bit of a love/hate view of Wane, but I like his honesty. 

[dunno much]

Looking forward to a great battle up front, Tonga by 14

[GeordieSaint]

8 minutes ago, JM2010 said:

Is Luke Thompson injured or just not picked?

Not picked. Not good enough anymore since he signed for Wigan.

[Dunbar]

10 minute delay to get all the fans in.