The Friendlies Thread 2025

[Kirmonds pouch]

I’d be worried if I were Leeds. Not one Leeds player stood out. Neither Connor tries were special. I don’t think Croft was better than anyone else, I don’t know what player some were claiming to watch.

Trinity looked good and never had more than half a first team on show. They certainly created the best try by Sinfield. Whilst the move of the match saw Booth slightly overrun a pass. Easily the best move of the game.

Think Powell will have the better nights sleep.

 

 

[JT RL]

Attendance of 11,000 for a friendly warm up vs the average attendance last season of 13,500

Just imagine how many would have turned up for a meaningful, winner takes the match points games .. 

worse case .. start the league on New Year’s Day 

[M j M]

7 minutes ago, JT RL said:

Attendance of 11,000 for a friendly warm up vs the average attendance last season of 13,500

Just imagine how many would have turned up for a meaningful, winner takes the match points games .. 

worse case .. start the league on New Year’s Day 

And play through January/February when attendances will be dire?

And give international players what two weeks off from the end of the rep calendar before returning to pre season? Or just give them no pre season?

Sounds great.

[Chrispmartha]

5 minutes ago, Kirmonds pouch said:

I’d be worried if I were Leeds. Not one Leeds player stood out. Neither Connor tries were special. I don’t think Croft was better than anyone else, I don’t know what player some were claiming to watch.

Trinity looked good and never had more than half a first team on show. They certainly created the best try by Sinfield. Whilst the move of the match saw Booth slightly overrun a pass. Easily the best move of the game.

Think Powell will have the better nights sleep.

 

 

Ive never been worried or overly optimistic after a boxing day fixture, they're ultimately pointless and have no bearing on the year ahead.

But if connors trys weren’t special (they weren’t really), what does that say about Wakefield’s defence?

I think both coaches will sleep fine, because as I say the games are pretty meaningless really.

[Chrispmartha]

10 minutes ago, JT RL said:

Attendance of 11,000 for a friendly warm up vs the average attendance last season of 13,500

Just imagine how many would have turned up for a meaningful, winner takes the match points games .. 

worse case .. start the league on New Year’s Day 

Why do you think more people would turn up in the beginning of January, than do from mid February?

[Kirmonds pouch]

1 minute ago, M j M said:

And play through January/February when attendances will be dire?

And give international players what two weeks off from the end of the rep calendar before returning to pre season? Or just give them no pre season?

Sounds great.

Although I don’t agree with the notion, January and February were always well attended games in the winter era. Odsal was always vulnerable due to lack of cover but most SL grounds could cope.

[Kirmonds pouch]

2 minutes ago, Chrispmartha said:

Ive never been worried or overly optimistic after a boxing day fixture, they're ultimately pointless and have no bearing on the year ahead.

But if connors trys weren’t special (they weren’t really), what does that say about Wakefield’s defence?

I think both coaches will sleep fine, because as I say the games are pretty meaningless really.

I agree and that was my point. Wakefield defence was clunky to start with but as a recently promoted team with lots of new faces you’d expect that.

However that can soon be put right as Trinity get up to speed. Leeds are a far more settled side and we’re in SL last season. They should have done far better imho. They were after all the daddies in the first half.

Connor I’m afraid always flatters to deceive. If your lucky you’ll get three good games in a season, I wouldn’t give him bus fare.

Croft will do better I’m sure but I can’t help but think Salford got the best of him.

[Chrispmartha]

20 minutes ago, Kirmonds pouch said:

I agree and that was my point. Wakefield defence was clunky to start with but as a recently promoted team with lots of new faces you’d expect that.

However that can soon be put right as Trinity get up to speed. Leeds are a far more settled side and we’re in SL last season. They should have done far better imho. They were after all the daddies in the first half.

Connor I’m afraid always flatters to deceive. If your lucky you’ll get three good games in a season, I wouldn’t give him bus fare.

Croft will do better I’m sure but I can’t help but think Salford got the best of him.

I think you’re over thinking it.

[Wollo Wollo Wayoo]

Have to mention that faultless minutes silence pre match in memory of Sid Hynes.  You could have heard a pin drop. 

Beats the applause cop out any time.

[Hopping Mad]

On 24/12/2024 at 21:17, Fevrover said:

Featherstone  v Goole 12th January  (3pm)

Featherstone v Dewsbury   18th January (3pm)

Fev and Dews socials say it's a 4pm KO on the 18th. Has it changed?

[Fevrover]

18 minutes ago, Hopping Mad said:

Fev and Dews socials say it's a 4pm KO on the 18th. Has it changed?

Yeah sorry it is 4pm

[gogledd]

On 24/12/2024 at 18:23, THE RED ROOSTER said:

How could you miss out North West Crusaders v London Broncos on the 18th January KO 3.00pm

https://www.londonbroncosrl.com/pre-season-fixture-announcement

We are STILL North WALES Crusaders despite the buy out by a company from Surrey! North Wales Cru are also playing Widnes on 10th January with an evening kick off.

[LeeF]

20 hours ago, JT RL said:

Attendance of 11,000 for a friendly warm up vs the average attendance last season of 13,500

Just imagine how many would have turned up for a meaningful, winner takes the match points games .. 

worse case .. start the league on New Year’s Day 

Is that to fit in with the pause in the football?

[sheddingswasus]

It seems to me that if we start Christmas and finished late September then we would have a nine month season like we used to have. Would leave time for international breaks and fitting in missed fixtures & the  like. Like someone else alluded yo it would take advantage of the football shut down. 

[JT RL]

Play the Grand Final on the last weekend of August 

[Agbrigg]

Back in the day January and February were the months that most games were postponed because of the weather, mainly frozen pitches. With the changing weather and global warming the winter months seem much milder. At Headingley on boxing day it was really mild and just about perfect for rugby league. Personally it wouldnt bother me if the league started around Boxing day/new year.

[Trojan Horse]

Just watched the highlights of Leeds game. 
 

Connors second try should 100% have been chalked off. Shocker by the officials. I didn’t see it at the game but heard a few fans around me mention it. 
 

Truman got cleaned out by the dummy runner who absolutely flattened him whilst he was sliding across to get to Connor. Ref just ignored his protests but it was as clear as you can get. I hope it’s not the standard we will see through the season. 
 

Officiating is tough but you can’t be missing clear stuff like that with or without cameras. 

 

[Just Browny]

2 hours ago, Agbrigg said:

Back in the day January and February were the months that most games were postponed because of the weather, mainly frozen pitches. With the changing weather and global warming the winter months seem much milder. At Headingley on boxing day it was really mild and just about perfect for rugby league. Personally it wouldnt bother me if the league started around Boxing day/new year.

I went to a football match in Bradford on the same day and it was abandoned at half time because of fog. Not certain the climate has changed all that much and people are talking about sacking off the part of the season which is best for rugby (September/October). Madness.

[OMEGA]

1 hour ago, Trojan Horse said:

Just watched the highlights of Leeds game. 
 

Connors second try should 100% have been chalked off. Shocker by the officials. I didn’t see it at the game but heard a few fans around me mention it. 
 

Truman got cleaned out by the dummy runner who absolutely flattened him whilst he was sliding across to get to Connor. Ref just ignored his protests but it was as clear as you can get. I hope it’s not the standard we will see through the season. 
 

Officiating is tough but you can’t be missing clear stuff like that with or without cameras. 

 

Absolutely correct, not only did Truman get cleaned out but Connor then came inside right through the gap created by it!

As you say, it’s as clear an example of the offence that you could wish to see

[Kirmonds pouch]

On 26/12/2024 at 20:19, Chrispmartha said:

I think you’re over thinking it.

Again I agree it’s just a friendly, but I’m just commenting on the match.

Edited December 28, 2024 by Kirmonds pouch

[Kirmonds pouch]

9 hours ago, OMEGA said:

Absolutely correct, not only did Truman get cleaned out but Connor then came inside right through the gap created by it!

As you say, it’s as clear an example of the offence that you could wish to see

My point exactly, there was nothing special by Conner. Yet for some reason Leeds fans in particular get seduced by names.

Siva (not sure on spelling), got cheered every time he got the ball. Yet given a clear break he ran out of steam and was easily run down by the Trinity defence. The bloke is shot, that’s why the NRL let him go.

Maybe Johnstone is past his best, we will have to wait and see, but I’d still put my house on him scoring that try, ditto Walmesley, Pratt and of course Booth who actually did.

It’s not an I hate Leeds issue, because I don’t. But unless some of those kids break through big style that’s yet another season of Leeds fielding a truly underwhelming team. This imo is not good for the game.

Realistically Trin are 1-2 seasons away from being truly competitive assuming the investment continues. That’s why I’m more happy as a Trin fan than I would be as a Leeds fan.

We will lose our opening game against Leeds, but I reckon we will learn quickly.

[Agbrigg]

12 hours ago, Just Browny said:

I went to a football match in Bradford on the same day and it was abandoned at half time because of fog. Not certain the climate has changed all that much and people are talking about sacking off the part of the season which is best for rugby (September/October). Madness.

Browny, you dont know how lucky you are. If I had to attend a football match in Bradford I would be praying for fog to save me from witnessing such a spectacle 

[Moose]

1 hour ago, Kirmonds pouch said:

My point exactly, there was nothing special by Conner. Yet for some reason Leeds fans in particular get seduced by names.

Siva (not sure on spelling), got cheered every time he got the ball. Yet given a clear break he ran out of steam and was easily run down by the Trinity defence. The bloke is shot, that’s why the NRL let him go.

Maybe Johnstone is past his best, we will have to wait and see, but I’d still put my house on him scoring that try, ditto Walmesley, Pratt and of course Booth who actually did.

It’s not an I hate Leeds issue, because I don’t. But unless some of those kids break through big style that’s yet another season of Leeds fielding a truly underwhelming team. This imo is not good for the game.

Realistically Trin are 1-2 seasons away from being truly competitive assuming the investment continues. That’s why I’m more happy as a Trin fan than I would be as a Leeds fan.

We will lose our opening game against Leeds, but I reckon we will learn quickly.

Hopefully Noah Booth will be running them in for us this season, he’s on a years loan at  Hunslet.

[Trojan Horse]

21 minutes ago, Moose said:

Hopefully Noah Booth will be running them in for us this season, he’s on a years loan at  Hunslet.

He will be a very good player for Hunslet. Can play anywhere  in the back line and play well. 

[Kirmonds pouch]

24 minutes ago, Moose said:

Hopefully Noah Booth will be running them in for us this season, he’s on a years loan at  Hunslet.

Yes he is and imo it will be the making of him. Injuries permitting he should play every game, hopefully at centre. He’s a talent I can assure you.

Remembering that he still trains full time at Trinity.