Four Nations Final

AdeT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8351127.stm

It appears there's a bit of controversy...

I'm not sure who I'd rather. Hayne would want the play-the-ball clear much quicker than the others (ie. immediately) but I think there's a worry that the final would be refereed as NRL games are. There are some differences in how the game is played between the two hemispheres and refereeing preferences could have a huge factor on this.

Didn't think Alibert was up to standard last week - he's been alright in his first year at SuperLeague though.

toomevara

Personally, though I'm a great fan of the NRL, I don't like the amount of nonsense allowed in the tackle. I prefer the more flowing SL style game as such I'd prefer to see Ganson in charge on balance.

AdeT

Another thing I have noticed about Australians is they absolutely don't rate English rugby league. That's the Aussie players, coaching team, fans. I just don't think they sincerelly consider them in the same league as the Roos.

Does this also rub off on Aussie refs? If Roos dominate a tackle or a few tackles and slow the play-the-ball right down does the ref consider it good defence and if England do it does he think that something illegal must have gone on or that they're lying on?

Unfortunately referees from other countries aren't plentiful and somebody's going to have to compromise...

OldJay

toomevara wrote: »

Personally, though I'm a great fan of the NRL, I don't like the amount of nonsense allowed in the tackle. I prefer the more flowing SL style game as such I'd prefer to see Ganson in charge on balance.

Thing I notice in SL is the amount of play-acting by tacked folk looking for penalties claiming they're being held. I don't see the SL as more flowing than the NRL whatsoever.

amacachi

Cheeky statement from the Aussies along the lines of how they didn't object to a British ref last time, so why would the English complain about an Aussie ref now. Almost as if they had planned it all along. :pac:

couerdelion

Justind wrote: »

Thing I notice in SL is the amount of play-acting by tacked folk looking for penalties claiming they're being held. I don't see the SL as more flowing than the NRL whatsoever.

The SL has cleaned up the ptb a lot over the years an it's now much faster than the NRL where they seem to be allowed to do
anything in the tackle to slow it down such as the chicken wing tackle. Anything like that in SL and you are right, the players look to
draw the refs attention to it and gain a
penalty.

Stev_o

It's a hard call but then again it's not like England were going to give the Roo's a fast play off the ball anyway. Again it ll all come down to whether England can control Inglis, honestly if i was TS id try attacking Hayne who's had to sit on his lonely wing all tournament chances are he ll not be 100% focused and can be exploited.

OldJay

Stev_o wrote: »

It's a hard call but then again it's not like England were going to give the Roo's a fast play off the ball anyway. Again it ll all come down to whether England can control Inglis, honestly if i was TS id try attacking Hayne who's had to sit on his lonely wing all tournament chances are he ll not be 100% focused and can be exploited.

I think the second half of the last time they played will have been a wake-up call for the Roos to be as far from complacent as possible. Could go down to the last minute or else be a kicking in Aussie's favours.
Personally, I hope Aussie stuff them out of sight.

old gregg

According to Fox Sports:

New Zealand official Leon Williamson has been appointed to control the Four Nations final as the embarrassing stalemate over who should referee the Australia-England clash came to a predictable end.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26338282-23214,00.html

toomevara

Justind wrote: »

Personally, I hope Aussie stuff them out of sight.

I'd have to disagree. The last thing international rugby league needs, in general, is another pointless Aussie cakewalk. Pesonally, I'm hoping for a tight, high quality game, culminating in a narrow win for England.

OldJay

toomevara wrote: »

I'd have to disagree. The last thing international rugby league needs, in general, is another pointless Aussie cakewalk. Pesonally, I'm hoping for a tight, high quality game, culminating in a narrow win for England.

Mate, the Kiwis won the RLWC and the previous Tri Series. An English win would change very little. Besides, I've been a Roos and Blues (and Norths) supporter since a kid so sorry, I'm all over Aussie for this game.

toomevara

Justind wrote: »

Mate, the Kiwis won the RLWC and the previous Tri Series. An English win would change very little. Besides, I've been a Roos and Blues (and Norths) supporter since a kid so sorry, I'm all over Aussie for this game.

Aware of the previous history of the various comps. Historically England/GB, call it what you will, have an appalling record against the Roos (of whom, I too am of course, a great admirer, Souths fan myself).

Have seen them play live many, many times and am always amazed by the skill level, passion and commitment...the very essence in many ways of RL.

In terms of the larger picture, RL's trying to raise its profile nationally here in England...a victory over the aussies would be a fantastic filip from that perspective...there's also a big push to increase the profile of the international game. Really big push on to pack out Elland. So for me its got to be England..but good luck to the aussies, just do not want to see a one sided slaughter...no good for the game, imo.

Incidentally, I do think the Roos will win,probably relatively handomely..just naturally gravitate to the underdog I guess.

old gregg

to throw my 2c into things ... I'd like to see a very close exciting game with a narrow Australian win at the end.

I'm all over Aussie too being a Sydney boy living in Ireland but I just love a close edge of the seat game of footy, it's like Christmas, only better

Dozen Wicked Words

I am not all over anything, but hope England win, don't care if they stuff Australia or not. Anyone but Australia in any sport, not just RL.

OldJay

toomevara wrote: »

(of whom, I too am of course, a great admirer, Souths fan myself)

Okay, thats enough. Lets just say I'm not a fan of the Rabbitohs regardless of the fact that Norths ended up as a feeder club to them.
Our conversation ends here.
Thank you. Have a good day despite

AdeT

dooferoaks wrote: »

I am not all over anything, but hope England win, don't care if they stuff Australia or not. Anyone but Australia in any sport, not just RL.

Yeah - I like to see Aussie RL lose and England RL win so I'll be shouting for England from the East Terrace (if my family ever heard me say that!).

Added to that Paul Gallen - a filthy player who wouldn't ever get my support I've got my reasons.

Ricky Stuart blew up last year when the Roos lost and I think Sheens has the capacity to do the same. That's reason enough for me.

Having said that...I'm not confident.

toomevara

Justind wrote: »

Okay, thats enough. Lets just say I'm not a fan of the Rabbitohs regardless of the fact that Norths ended up as a feeder club to them.
Our conversation ends here.
Thank you. Have a good day despite

Well I never!! Harumph.....

old gregg

dooferoaks wrote: »

Anyone but Australia in any sport, not just RL.

surely it's time for a mod to step in and put an end to this, to this outrage

toomevara

old gregg wrote: »

surely it's time for a mod to step in and put an end to this, to this outrage

Certainly...dooferoaks I command you to give yourself a stern talking to, immediately.

toomevara

England name an unchanged team......

Dozen Wicked Words

toomevara wrote: »

Certainly...dooferoaks I command you to give yourself a stern talking to, immediately.

Phew, just got off the phone from myself. Certainly wont be pushin my luck again. To our southern hemisphere cousins I offer the olive branch, I must admit to loving the Origin game really, usually cheer for Yorkshire.

AdeT

toomevara wrote: »

England name an unchanged team......

Probably the correct decision - you can't beat the world champs one saturday and then make changes.

Now, it's the Aussie selection that's interesting!
http://www.gillette4nations.co.uk/article.php?id=15945
Backrow appears to have gallen and lewis in 2nd row and hindmarsh at "lock". Unsure why they're playing Hindmarsh and Gallen where they are rather than swapping - maybe he wants something similar from all of his back row so doesn't mind what number they wear. It's some luxury to be able to leave Watmough on the bench - the guy's inbelievable and hits like a truck.

I think there are areas to be exploited. Hayne (best player towards the end of 09) plays his best rugby from fb and can be agressive in defence. If he leaves his line to put in a big hit there might be space (saying that, he usually times it well). Hannant is relatively inexperienced and if Eng are to get away with a win, they'll have to dominate the forwards big time. Ellis will be great, as usual. Burgess and Crabtree might just be able to put the Roos under a little bit of pressure off the bench.

Ground's filling up by all accounts! Hope it's a full house

couerdelion

Looking forward to an England victory.

It could be over in the first 20 though if England play like they did a fortnight ago.

Stev_o

Delighted Jennings got a bench spot (though i still think he should be ahead of Hodges). Will be supporting England for this match while admiring Australia

toomevara

Definitely an interesting aussie squad. Also the scuttlebutt is that Lockyer will retire from international rugby after tomorrow's game....

WakeyTyke

Game is a sell-out, although the Elland Road capacity has been limited to 31,000, with the upper East Stand staying closed (which has been for United's matches).

Have to say I would love to see England finally winning against Australia, as it would be a huge filip for the SL and I am well tired of seeing the Aussies win for the past 30 years:(

toomevara

WakeyTyke wrote: »

Game is a sell-out

Brilliant, delighted to hear it. Atmosphere going to be a cracker. Cannot wait.

Stev_o

This match should make up for the lack luster displays in the sister code today

toomevara

Stev_o wrote: »

This match should make up for the lack luster displays in the sister code today

Hopefully Stev_o, just heading out to the stadium. Only possible fly in the opintment is the evening's pretty miserable here. Alot of rain today, and its spitting at the mo. Anyhoo as you say can't possibly be any worse than anything else we've seen involving an oval ball today...;)

Stev_o

Wonder try by Burgess after brilliant defensive display at the other end denying the Roo's a try.

Stev_o

In 12 minutes this game has managed to be better then almost 5 hours of Rugby Union!

Morris in for the corner after the Roo's intercept a pass when England looked sure to score.

Stev_o

Fox does a Folau and scores a brilliant try.

Risteard

Just flicked over to this. Rarely watch league so have a question.

When does the tackle count get reset? Say if a team kicks the ball on the 5th tackle, and they recover it, does it not get reset to 0?

WakeyTyke

Some questionable (non-)decisions by these officials, missing a lot of high shots and offsides

Stev_o

Risteard wrote: »

Just flicked over to this. Rarely watch league so have a question.

When does the tackle count get reset? Say if a team kicks the ball on the 5th tackle, and they recover it, does it not get reset to 0?

No unless it touches off a opposistion player or if they team gets a 40/20 where they kick the ball from inside their 40 meter line and get it into touch (can't be out on the full either) inside the opposistions 20 meter.

If there is a spill and the ref is unsure what has happened they sometimes reset the tackle count if those who where in possession regather the spill.

Risteard

Stev_o wrote: »

No unless it touches off a opposistion player or if they team gets a 40/20 where they kick the ball from inside their 40 meter line and get it into touch (can't be out on the full either) inside the opposistions 20 meter.

If there is a spill and the ref is unsure what has happened they sometimes reset the tackle count if those who where in possession regather the spill.

So if a team's on 5 tackles and they kick it from inside their 40 and it bounces into touch inside the opposition's 20, they get the ball back?

WakeyTyke

They get to feed the consequent scrum - which means they get posession back.

Risteard

Thank you. My knowledge of League is now increased a small bit.

amacachi

What a first half! Quality maybe not the absolute best, but high enough and bloody exciting.
Laptop is borked so I'm on and offline. First disallowed aussie try was a 50-50 for including the benefit of the doubt, thought the second shouldn't have been allowed.

This is probably the only sport I can cheer for England comfortably, and also not have to worry about the da goin mad. :pac:

Just can't shake this feeling that Australia still have something in reserve.

amacachi

Two things annoyed me there, should've been a yellow card for slapping someone while 4 people were holding him. Also when the **** is offside going to be called against teams on their own tryline.

How's that not interference!?

WakeyTyke

It is a long time since I have seen such an even-contest between England and Australia.

England do seem to be gaining in confidence as the game goes on - it appears that they are begining to believe that they could win.

Risteard

Try England.

Jaysus, this Rugby League thing ain't half-bad, especially when you've been subjected to the horror of England - Argentina earlier.:)

amacachi

Risteard wrote: »

Try England.

Jaysus, this Rugby League thing ain't half-bad, especially when you've been subjected to the horror of England - Argentina earlier.:)

Was even funnier last week switching from the Union to England v NZ.

Poor try to concede there by England, looked like they had enough players on the line to stop it.
Nice, missed the kick.

WakeyTyke

Poor try for England to give away, Tompkins was left badly exposed.

Risteard

Where was the knock-on there?

amacachi

Is it just me who thinks Tompkins looks like a skinny child out there? :pac:

Some try if he got it down.

Risteard

Fantastic try by Australia.

amacachi

Risteard wrote: »

Where was the knock-on there?

At the play-the-ball it went forward off his foot/shin, must go back from the foot. Usually the ref will let them away with not using a foot once they make some kind of motion towards the ball, kinda like the quick "tap" to restart play.

WakeyTyke

This will now be a big test for England. If they don't intensify their commitment ten-fold then the Aussies will run riot.

Risteard

I see. Thanks.

England player down, missed what happened. Looks pretty bad.

amacachi

Risteard wrote: »

Fantastic try by Australia.

Nice try indeed. Thurston is some player, mustn't have caught many of his matches on NRL coz I don't really remember him.

Ooh, English lad knocked the **** out. Doesn't look too bad on the replay.

Still just the 6 points in it, hope the aussies don't move away.