The Friendlies Thread 2025

[Chrispmartha]

4 hours ago, Kirmonds pouch said:

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

It was the ‘I’d be worried if I were a Leeds fan’ that I was responding to.

[Salford Devil]

Friendlies especially at this time of year reveal next to nothing from a playing point of view. That is why many/most clubs have stopped doing them. They are just there to make a bit of money.

[georgeb1]

46 minutes ago, Salford Devil said:

Friendlies especially at this time of year reveal next to nothing from a playing point of view. That is why many/most clubs have stopped doing them. They are just there to make a bit of money.

Totally disagree, both coaching staff and fringe players benefit plus it's a day out for the fans 

[Trojan Horse]

1 hour ago, georgeb1 said:

Totally disagree, both coaching staff and fringe players benefit plus it's a day out for the fans 

I agree with this. The coaches will take a lot from that and the Boxing Day game bs Trinity and Leeds is always well attended vs both fans. Trinity pretty much filled away stand and a section of seating. It’s become a bit of a Boxing Day tradition for me and a few family members. 
 

You get to see new signings and some young lads too. I limited subs is a nice touch and for some young players it will create special memories. 
 

What you can’t do is read too much into the result. It means very very little for the season ahead. It could as I say give some coaches a little hint on what they should focus on after the new years break with plenty pre season left. 
 

I like it and I think it’s a good event. 

[JonT]

3 hours ago, Salford Devil said:

Friendlies especially at this time of year reveal next to nothing from a playing point of view. That is why many/most clubs have stopped doing them. They are just there to make a bit of money.

A five figure crowd celebrating our great game at Christmas and keeping the boxing day tradition alive. A run out for both squads. And only in RL is there someone looking for the negative spin.

I take my hat off to both Leeds and Wakefield and the supporters who turned out.

[Damien]

20 minutes ago, JonT said:

A five figure crowd celebrating our great game at Christmas and keeping the boxing day tradition alive. A run out for both squads. And only in RL is there someone looking for the negative spin.

I take my hat off to both Leeds and Wakefield and the supporters who turned out.

People were discussing what the game revealed. There is nothing negative about someone saying a friendly 2 months before the season starts reveals next to nothing from a playing point of view. It's a totally valid opinion.

[Barley Mow]

Full match replay of Batley v Dewsbury from last week for anyone interested (kick off at approx 43 mins).

 

Edited January 1 by Barley Mow

[Barley Mow]

Also Bradford v Keighley from the week before.

[Griff]

On 28/12/2024 at 13:40, georgeb1 said:

Totally disagree, both coaching staff and fringe players benefit plus it's a day out for the fans 

Not to mention ticking off a game or two if anyone's suspended.

[wroteforluck87]

Nice one @Barley Mow

[Just Browny]

5 or 6 inches of snow overnight. So that's our second weekend of fixtures under the new calendar wiped out.

[Griff]

2 hours ago, Just Browny said:

5 or 6 inches of snow overnight. So that's our second weekend of fixtures under the new calendar wiped out.

Take a picture and post it every time somebody suggests a Boxing Day start to the season.

[Barley Mow]

https://www.totalrl.com/barrow-raiders-v-whitehaven-pre-season-game-rearranged/

Barrow v Haven due to be today now rearranged for Tuesday (7th January) at 7.45pm due to snow.

[Click]

5 hours ago, Just Browny said:

5 or 6 inches of snow overnight. So that's our second weekend of fixtures under the new calendar wiped out.

It doesn't get tnat cold anymore.

[ricky]

Mais où sont les neiges d'antan?

[Griff]

53 minutes ago, Click said:

It doesn't get tnat cold anymore.

 

2 hours ago, Barley Mow said:

https://www.totalrl.com/barrow-raiders-v-whitehaven-pre-season-game-rearranged/

Barrow v Haven due to be today now rearranged for Tuesday (7th January) at 7.45pm due to snow.

That's how long winters last now.  Two days.

[Just Browny]

2 hours ago, ricky said:

Mais où sont les neiges d'antan?

Wow that's a niche reference.

[JonM]

19 hours ago, Just Browny said:

Wow that's a niche reference.

I bet there's a large crossover following between British rugby league and 15th century French poetry.

[Wakefield Ram]

23 hours ago, ricky said:

Mais où sont les neiges d'antan?

Despite my degree in French Language and Literature from a long time ago, I had to look this one up

Bien joue

[ricky]

1 minute ago, Wakefield Ram said:

Despite my degree in French Language and Literature from a long time ago, I had to look this one up

Bien joue

Full disclosure: I didn't know that line from the original poem; I believe I first saw it as the caption to a New Yorker cartoon. 

Anyway, back to the problems of playing RL in winter, quand descend le soir / au manteau noir 

[JonM]

1 hour ago, ricky said:

Full disclosure: I didn't know that line from the original poem; I believe I first saw it as the caption to a New Yorker cartoon. 

I knew it originally from Catch-22 - Yossarian repeatedly asks "where are the Snowdens of yesteryear".

[Damien]

 

 

[daz39]

On 27/12/2024 at 21:54, 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.

You're lucky, my game was halted after 7 minutes due to fog and abandoned, strange as 10 minutes before kick-off it was clear with sunshine.

[Damien]

 

 

[Barley Mow]

Barrow 14 v 0 Haven on now  - radio commentary live on BBC:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/live/cj0r5n1gv8nt.app#player