Sat 28th Oct: International: England v Tonga KO 14:30 @ Huddersfield (BBC)

[GeordieSaint]

3 minutes ago, EagleEyePie said:

Ashton man of the match? 

Smith. 

[EagleEyePie]

Just now, GeordieSaint said:

Smith. 

I'd have gone for Smith or Bateman. Brian Noble actually made the perfect case for Smith to be man of the match then said he was giving it to Ashton

[bobbruce]

Wilkin seemed surprised he was asked his thoughts on the game then. What did he think he was doing there. 

[Harry Stottle]

45 minutes ago, Exiled Wiganer said:

I disagree, and time will tell.

How have New Zealand got on against Tonga in the last few years? How did England get on the last time we played a series against them? There is nothing to suggest that any of the 4 teams are miles ahead of any of the others. 

The 2 games have certain similarities - our spine and our structure are better than the Kiwis, who relied on the same attributes Tonga are relying on: power and pace. 

Disagree, this was a very poor game.

[Futtocks]

All I need is a whinge about the PA playing "Sweet Caroline" and I'll have completed my International RL on Terrestrial TV Misery Bingo Card.

Edited October 28, 2023 by Futtocks

[Dunbar]

3 minutes ago, DavidM said:

They’ve been really really disappointing 

This is a Rugby League forum. You have to be more specific. 

[StandOffHalf]

England's defence and familiarity with how the game is reffed were big factors.

Tonga were pretty disappointing.

 

[Chris22]

Good to see Wane as classless as ever.

[Jim Prendle]

16 minutes ago, JohnM said:

Nonsense. 

Agreed.

Another example of looking to be outraged for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

[bratman]

Interesting interview with Wane!

[Damien]

Jon Wilkin with typical negativity to a question about his thoughts on the game. An immediate despondent and downbeat reaction and talking down the game  and just mumbling about Tonga being poor instead of talking England up.

No other sports pundits and commentators constantly talk down the sport like ours do.

[Harry Stottle]

36 minutes ago, GeordieSaint said:

Dear god. What’s wrong with our wingers?

Well one if them was MOM, I think that typifies what a bad game it was.

[Futtocks]

1 minute ago, bratman said:

Interesting interview with Wane!

He's more than a little exasperated, but also deliberately creating a siege mentality.

[dkw]

Just now, Damien said:

Jon Wilkin with typical negativity to a question about his thoughts on the game. An immediate despondent and downbeat reaction and talking down the game  and just mumbling about Tonga being poor instead of talking England up.

No other sports pundits and commentators constantly talk down the sport like ours do.

Playing to the crowd of miseries that are RL fans, just desperate to Moan about everything and anything.

[JohnM]

Just now, Damien said:

Jon Wilkin with typical negativity to a question about his thoughts on the game. An immediate despondent and downbeat reaction and talking down the game  and just mumbling about Tonga being poor instead of talking England up.

No other sports pundits and commentators constantly talk down the sport like ours do.

It's almost as if he posts on here.

[Futtocks]

Just now, Damien said:

Jon Wilkin with typical negativity to a question about his thoughts on the game. An immediate despondent and downbeat reaction and talking down the game  and just mumbling about Tonga being poor instead of talking England up.

No other sports pundits and commentators constantly talk down the sport like ours do.

And despite Wilkin playing to the gallery by talking the game down unnecessarily, those same people will still whinge about him being a pundit next week.

[Damien]

Just now, Futtocks said:

He's more than a little exasperated, but also deliberately creating a siege mentality.

Yeah part of the act. He loves taking on that role and creating a bit of needle.

[Chrispmartha]

Just now, dkw said:

Playing to the crowd of miseries that are RL fans, just desperate to Moan about everything and anything.

Yep, it’s tiresome sometimes 

[SUPERSTUD]

Poor product. Wait it all for me every time the camera panned out to the crowd. The crowd looked bored out of its brains.

[Exiled Wiganer]

2 minutes ago, Harry Stottle said:

Disagree, this was a very poor game.

I am not sure whose post you are responding to.

I enjoyed the game, particularly given how this is a brand new England team. It also makes me smile when the NRL = gods fetishisists are put temporarily back in their box. The post I was responding to was one dismissing the absolute quality of the 2 teams. I hold a different opinion, based on the results when these teams have actually played each other. 

[StandOffHalf]

Kristian Woolf was very measured in his response to Wane's angriness.

[Chrispmartha]

RL fans - we need to be playing more international games and it would be good to get more decent International teams.

First full tour for a tongan side with NRL stars and we win the series.

RL fans - this is rubbish 

[EastLondonMike]

Conditions obviously played a major part in the style of play today, but a wins a win, especially as it secures the series. Important to remember that this England team is without 5-6 first choice players - so the players that came in have certainly played an important part. Shaun Wane has always been very good at getting the best out of the players available.

Special mention for Harry Smith. He has certainly come on a lot in the last 6-7 months. Heres hoping he can continue that progression into the 3rd test and beyod.

[StandOffHalf]

Not many neutrals are going to be attracted to RL by that game unfortunately.

[SUPERSTUD]

1 minute ago, Chrispmartha said:

Yep, it’s tiresome sometimes 

If you enjoyed the quality of that match then good on you. It was terrible. Tonga have played side to side football in both games asking very little of the English defence. No real go forward, attacking shape, deception etc. A complete borefest. We are still miles behind the main players.