Rugby League World Cup 2017 (27th Oct. to 2nd Dec.)

Wexfordboy89 wrote: »

Can some explain how its decided who and how u get through to the quarter finals.not winning a game or in scotlands case losing both your opening games by 50 odd points but still have a chance to go through seems mad

Yeah, an anomaly alright. They tried to weight the groups so if you were in a group with one of the usual suspects (Aus/NZ/England) you still had a chance to qualify if you lost those games. Every world cup they try something different, never seems to quite work. Ireland were unlucky in the group they ended up in this year. Ideally, as they have done before, they'd put the "big" teams in separate groups and 2 or more would go through from each group (usually meaning Aus etc plus at least 1 smaller team). The problem with that was mismatches and viewing figures were poor as a result.

They definitely need to look again next time, particularly when Tonga are now a force.

Wexfordboy89 wrote: »

Thats another thing I find mad.cant think of his name but hes one on the top players in the nrl.think he has played for new Zealand before but because he wasn't name in there squad he can play for tonga.seems mad that up until 6 weeks before a world cup your happy enough to play for a national team u dont get named and then swap to play for another.and ppl think project players in union are bad

Players who were named in squads actually moved, not just those not selected. Several Tonga players were chosen to play for NZ and Australia but all decided to go with Tonga.

International Rugby League is still very much a work in progress, the NRL aren't the least bit supportive (and that's where the money is). As a result you get fudges like weird world cup groups, or players barely knowing where a country is that they choose to play for (this actually isn't as bad this WC).

The criteria for allegiance should definitely be firmed up so if you want to change country there's a qualification period. But it's all down to trying to make the game competitive for the smaller nations.

Wexfordboy89 wrote: »

Ah ok I get u like to watch league only get to watch the odd game on the bbc which is usually the challenge cup final.Ireland should look and see if they can get a team playing in England like the toronto wolfpack.I know money will probably be an issue there though.hope Ireland can do a job on wales on sunday

Yeah, unfortunately don't think we have a crazy millionaire willing to put in the money here, it would be fantastic though. There's talk of a New York team getting off the ground too, as well as a couple of well supported French teams.

Fingers crossed Ireland get the result their tournament has deserved, they have been great, if they could reduce the handling errors and keep the team together they'd be a match for most countries.

charkee wrote: »

sadly no interest in league in ireland

Pretty accurate unfortunately, there are people who enjoy the game here, but I agree, interest is limited to say the least. It's a shame because it's a really accessible sport with simple rules to follow.

Pretty good picture.

charkee wrote: »

Lebanon qualify on 3 pts??

union has stole a lot of leagues clothes in recent years

I prefer league ,but its like talking to the wall with an Irish rugby union fan .

one thing that puzzled me about league is the team that scores the try gets the ball back from ko. On a one sided game ,the losing team have no chance to get going.

I recall super league reversed the ko receiver for a season years ago ,but went back to the traditional.

Some people are dismissive of Rugby League here, same in large part's of the UK too though, think expansion is helping, and spreading the word about the game. Maybe people will be persuaded!

Lebanon had Australia, England and France. So, really it came to down to their game with France.

I think there's a case for not getting the ball back after penalty or drop goal, it'd encourage people to go for the try even more.

seanhynes wrote: »

Incredible 2nd half from Lebanon , they won't go away exciting finish 24-22 Tonga with a little over 10 to play

Wow, so much closer than I thought it'd be, another fantastic game, and Lebanon were terrific. Huge scare for Tonga.

It would be great if Fiji could give New Zealand a meaningful contest too now.

corny wrote: »

The Kiwis can't complete a set. Fiji not capitalising though. They have dangerous runners but their interplay and passing is so bad it defies belief.

Shocking how far the Kiwis have fallen, it's like watching the Warriors in NRL. Ireland would have given both these a game on current display.

corny wrote: »

Yeah true. There's the same sort of malaise you see with the Warriors. Hard to put your finger on but they look like they're just going through the motions in games. They're being knocked back in the collisions in this game and it doesn't seem to bother them.

Going through the motions is exactly it.
Johnson is like the poster boy for that attitude.

corny wrote: »

You know whats going to happen now....he's gonna beat 6 players, running the full length of the field and score the winner.:D

Haha yeah probably. I'm normally proven completely wrong!

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Fair play to Lebanon as I thought Tonga would win that pretty solidly. I had a feeling the other game would be close but fancied NZ to edge it.

Will England reach the semi-finals? Bookies seem to make them heavy favourites over PNG.

Should beat PNG quite comfortably especially as it's not in Port Moresby, and be slight favourites against Tonga.

Saying that NZ have shown twice bookies can be way off.

Sam Burgess is rusty, loads of errors start off this half.

So many errors from the whole team. Tonga will beat them if the error count is same next game (presuming they get there)

Australia 54 - 6 Fiji. Meh, don't think I'll bother watching.

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

I caught the highlights. Six tries for Valentine Holmes! I expected Australia to win but I didn't think it would be that emphatic. Hopefully England's game with Tonga will be more competitive.

It definitely will be competitive, could go either way and atmosphere should be something else. Doubting I'll be awake for it now though!

12 nil to England at half time.

Fukcin hell, ridiculous end, England very lucky but I think that's a knock on at the end in the NRL every week, so fair enough he called same on the field. One of Tonga tries was from a forward pass anyway, so leveling it out or some such crap :pac:

Last reminder of the day.

World Cup final tomorrow.
Australia v England, kick off is 0900 in Brisbane. Live on BBC One or Eir Sports 2. (So you can choose English or Australian commentary/coverage).

If you like to see the underdog do well cheer for the men in white, or if you like to see England lose whatever the sport, you can watch the probable Aussie victory!