International Rugby League Thread

Dozen Wicked Words

Since I've had so many requests for an International thread here it is.

Wales beat Scotland by 6 last night, 1800 there which isn't bad for international sadly.

Tonga are Playing Cook Islands now for a place in the next World Cup. Streaming live now here if anyone is interested!! Cook Islands underdogs but winning at the minute. Excellent quality stream too.

http://www.nrl.com/live-stream-tonga-v-cook-islands/tabid/10874/newsid/90541/default.aspx

Dozen Wicked Words

Ireland suffered a heavy defeat to France. Was 8 all at half-time but Ireland faded badly by the looks of it. Finished 31 - 14.

Oh and Canada beat the USA 34 - 28.

Dozen Wicked Words

Scotland host Ireland this Friday, both need a win after last week's defeats.

The Lost Sheep

Dozen Wicked Words wrote: »

Scotland host Ireland this Friday, both need a win after last week's defeats.

And an under 19 side are also playing Scotland this weekend - Saturday.
Colm Stapleton, Robert O'Meara, Adam Boyce, Matt Connolly,
Mani Johnston,
Adam Brodigan, Matthew Coade, Robert Gacek, Colm Doyle, Martin Cole, Matt Mckelvey, Tom O'Neil, Emmet Banahan, Jason Gribbon, Ryan Hughes, Aaron Donnolly, Dylan Maher, Craig Black

Dozen Wicked Words

Good win for Ireland over Scotland. Cracking fightback from Scotland 2nd half though.

Scots trailed 18 - 4 at half-time and actually took the lead in the second half to lead 22 - 18, but Ireland scored a converted try to finish 24 - 22 winners.

Dozen Wicked Words

England v France today. BBC could have done the decent thing and put it on TV, but no, we get repeats of homes under the hammer and bargain hunt. Despicable!

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Actually I think Bargain Hunt was more competitive than the French were, so maybe the BBC were right!

The Lost Sheep

Scotland won u19s game 30-12.

Dozen Wicked Words

Sam Tomkins is out of the Series for England v New Zealand, with a knee injury.

Dozen Wicked Words

Good article in the Guardian about what Rugby League internationals can learn from the Union World Cup. More Rugby league coverage on free TV is a must, though doubt that'll happen in England or this side of the world with Sky's stranglehold on the great game.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/oct/30/rugby-league-learn-rugby-world-cup

philstar

Dozen Wicked Words wrote: »

Wales beat Scotland by 6 last night, 1800 there which isn't bad for international sadly.

isn't bad

vauxhall conference get bigger attendances than that

Dozen Wicked Words

philstar wrote: »

isn't bad

Attendance at international rugby league outside World Cups or the big three teams is poor, hence the word sadly at the end of my previous post from two weeks ago.

philstar

bit pathetic really considering the attendances at the rugby WC

why don't rugby league buried the hatchet with union and re-unite

surely common ground can be found?

Dozen Wicked Words

philstar wrote: »

bit pathetic really considering the attendances at the rugby WC

why don't rugby league buried the hatchet with union and re-unite

surely common ground can be found?

They're two different games. You prefer Union I'm guessing.

I'll try once more, League isn't popular at international level outside the big 3, I'm not denying that, in fact I've said the same thing to you three times. Choosing what sport has merit by attendance?

There will be decent crowds at the England v New Zealand games, domestically in England attendances for top flight league and union aren't that different. In Australia Rugby League is still the most popular game in the country.

Oh, and here's one final stat.

Host nation of union world cup managed 50000, a game between 2 league teams for super league grand final had 73500.

Dozen Wicked Words

England v New Zealand in their first test of three today. Live on BBC Two at 4.45pm.

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That was some haka, perfectly respected by the crowd too.

Dozen Wicked Words

Great start by the Kiwis, off loads killing England.

McNamara needs to win this series or get the boot imo.

Dozen Wicked Words

England dreadful so far. 10 nil down after 17 mins.

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Poor decision from the video ref. Thankfully for England, who go down the other end and score.

Dozen Wicked Words

England had some luck with bounce and calls again this half, but making it count. Lead by 8.

moleyv

A bit too much luck...

I like watching the odd game of league. I just find it too repetitive.

Dozen Wicked Words

moleyv wrote: »

A bit too much luck...

I like watching the odd game of league. I just find it too repetitive.

Thought the worst decision was that video ref call in 1st half. Never ever obstruction

moleyv

Yeah. On balance I think ENG should be slightly ahead, NZ need to get a bit of the fire back, a slog fest will only suit England.

Dozen Wicked Words

moleyv wrote: »

Yeah. On balance I think ENG should be slightly ahead, NZ need to get a bit of the fire back, a slog fest will only suit England.

England probably do deserve the lead.

Aussie ref next game and another 80 minutes under their belt I reckon the Kiwis will be significantly better in London.

moleyv

Dozen Wicked Words wrote:

Aussie ref next game and another 80 minutes under their belt I reckon the Kiwis will be significantly better in London.

I'd agree.

That was some smash for a try.

Dozen Wicked Words

Pleased England have this won, but still not convinced McNamara is the man to take them on to regularly test a full strength Kiwi or Australian team.

Dozen Wicked Words

I'll miss next weeks game because of fuppin work. It'll be a lot better game too, oh well.

Faing

Enjoyed the game, good result but DWW has me thinking, who would replace Stevey Mac if they lose the series? Thankless job for whoever gets it anyway.....

Dozen Wicked Words

Does it need to be full time? Not enough international rugby of significant quality to merit full time imo. If it became part time, candidate list could be huge, including southern hemisphere coaches.

Faing

Part time would suit Jamie Peacock......he'd be a great leader. Having said that, there are lots of lads that would suit the role.

Dozen Wicked Words

Ireland play Wales in Bray this weekend at the Carlisle grounds. To win the European Championship, Ireland need to win and better France's score by 25 or hope Scotland can beat France, Wales just need to avoid a loss.

Dozen Wicked Words

Going to be an excellent crowd in London for England v Kiwis 2nd Test. 45000 sold so far.

Dozen Wicked Words

Faing wrote: »

Part time would suit Jamie Peacock......he'd be a great leader. Having said that, there are lots of lads that would suit the role.

Aussies don't agree with my part time notion, they are moving to full time coach with no NRL or Origin responsibilities. Not sure who's taking over from Wayne Bennett.

philstar

watched the game this afternoon NZ v England thought i give it a go,...wish i didn't bother two hours i never get back...for two top teams it was utterly shocking, drab affair about as exciting as watching jelly set, only eleven points scored in the whole match

and for such a "hardman" sport whats so hard about tackle move away tackle move away and the uncontested scrums...whats the point in that??.. just tap and run would make more sense

its just diluted rugby union isn't it

loyatemu

Dozen Wicked Words wrote:

Ireland play Wales in Bray this weekend at the Carlisle grounds. To win the European Championship, Ireland need to win and better France's score by 25 or hope Scotland can beat France, Wales just need to avoid a loss.

Went to this today courtesy of a free ticket they were handing out at my daughter's school. Wales won 30-4, about 1400 punters in the Carlisle Grounds, I assume many (most?) didn't pay for their tickets though. Ireland seemed tactically poor in the final phase but I really don't know much about the sport.

The Welsh celebrated receiving the trophy with a rousing chorus of "Delilah"

corny

philstar wrote: »

watched the game this afternoon NZ v England thought i give it a go,...wish i didn't bother two hours i never get back...for two top teams it was utterly shocking, drab affair about as exciting as watching jelly set, only eleven points scored in the whole match

and for such a "hardman" sport whats so hard about tackle move away tackle move away and the uncontested scrums...whats the point in that??.. just tap and run would make more sense

its just diluted rugby union isn't it

Had 'end of hard season' written all over it. Both sides didn't really have their heads in the game. Poor game as a result.

I know Gareth Widdop is highly thought of but i can never see it when he plays for England. His passing was shocking today and his inability to move the ball or move onto the ball at any pace stifled those outside him.

Dozen Wicked Words

Well, worked all weekend, so thankfully missed the 2nd England v New Zealand Test. Fingers crossed for a better next Test!!

Shame Ireland didn't put on a better show against Wales, giving away loads of tickets is a good idea, in fact free in for a few internationals wouldn't go amiss, hopefully a few of the 1400 who saw the game might bother going again.

In the other game France beat Scotland fairly handily.

loyatemu

Dozen Wicked Words wrote: »

Shame Ireland didn't put on a better show against Wales, giving away loads of tickets is a good idea, in fact free in for a few internationals wouldn't go amiss, hopefully a few of the 1400 who saw the game might bother going again.

I googled the rules before going to the match as I was only vaguely aware of the differences between RU and RL. I read that generally teams will kick during the 6th phase of possession rather than risk having the ball turned over to the opposition. This is what Wales did and they scored a couple of tries due to Irish players fumbling the kick. Ireland generally didn't kick and as a result consistently handed over possession when close to the Welsh line.

Overall I enjoyed the game, there's a lot more running and open play in general than in Union (particularly having just spent 5 weeks watching the RWC with it's interminable TMO consultations) but it lacked the intensity of Union as one side can't really put the other under sustained pressure. I didn't get the point of the uncontested scrums either, they seemed to be a pointless relic from the original rules.

Dozen Wicked Words

loyatemu wrote: »

Overall I enjoyed the game, there's a lot more running and open play in general than in Union (particularly having just spent 5 weeks watching the RWC with it's interminable TMO consultations) but it lacked the intensity of Union as one side can't really put the other under sustained pressure. I didn't get the point of the uncontested scrums either, they seemed to be a pointless relic from the original rules.

Scrum brings a number of each team in to a small space on the pitch, freeing up more space for further attacking Rugby so I think it serves a purpose. Not a hassle spending a minute on a scrum unlike Union.

The rules are very straightforward, that's part of the reason I started watching it, very easy to get in to, glad you enjoyed the game, International Rugby League is still very much a work in progress though imo.

Dozen Wicked Words

Good write up in the Guardian about the England New Zealand 2nd Test.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/no-helmets-required/2015/nov/11/england-new-zealand-rugby-league-london

Not fair to judge the sport on one game, however crap it was.

Dozen Wicked Words

England v New Zealand 3rd test on BBC One now.

Dozen Wicked Words

Great 3rd Test, England just about hung on at the end.

Adbrowne

Do Ireland play any home internationals this year? If so at what ground would they take place?

Mr.Nice Guy

Adbrowne wrote: »

Do Ireland play any home internationals this year? If so at what ground would they take place?

There will definitely be a home game against Russia at the end of October regarding qualification for next year's World Cup. I don't think a venue has been selected yet though.

Tom Mann Centuria

Couple of international games this week. Australia v New Zealand and England take on Samoa in Sydney. Ringers aplenty in the second game, for both teams, so I hope they don't zoom in on the lineups for the anthems.

England Samoa could be a close game and I actually think an upset is on the cards (hope I'm wrong) and a Samoa win. Bennett just doesn't look interested in the gig, though he does do disinterested well generally.

Tom Mann Centuria

Comfortable win for Australia, disappointing as a contest.

Tom Mann Centuria

Easy using for England and a gain not a great spectacle. The earlier games today were more interesting, and I think justified their inclusion in the weekend.

Mr.Nice Guy

I saw some of the Tonga/Fiji match which was really good fun. Shame there was such a gulf between Australia and NZ.

Tom Mann Centuria

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

I saw some of the Tonga/Fiji match which was really good fun. Shame there was such a gulf between Australia and NZ.

Yeah that game was brilliant. Defence a mere after thought!