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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
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    Rugby League World Cup 2017




    THE Rugby League World Cup is on the horizon, starting on Friday, October 27, with one of the host nations, the Kangaroos, kicking the tournament off in Melbourne.





    Melbourne Storm forwards Felise Kaufusi and Jordan McLean's stunning finals form has earned them a call-up to Australia's Rugby League World Cup squad.

    Ahead of the opening October 27 clash with England at AAMI Park, Test coach Mal Meninga confirmed a squad brimming with Storm talent,
    including the 'Big Three' of Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith, who will be playing alongside each other in the same team for the last time.

    Kangaroos squad

    • Billy Slater, - QLD
    • Darius Boyd, - QLD
    • Will Chambers, - QLD
    • Dane Gagai, - QLD
    • Tom Trbojevic, - NSW
    • Josh Dugan, - a NSW Thug
    • Valentine Holmes, - QLD
    • Cooper Cronk, - QLD
    • Cameron Munster, - QLD
    • Michael Morgan, - QLD
    • James Maloney, - NSW
    • Aaron Woods, -
    • David Klemmer, - NSW
    • Josh McGuire, - QLD
    • Andrew Fifita, - NSW
    • Jake Trbojevic, - NSW
    • Jordan McLean, - NSW
    • Boyd Cordner, - NSW
    • Matt Gillett, - QLD
    • Tyson Frizell, - NSW
    • Wade Graham, - NSW
    • Felise Kaufusi, - QLD
    • Cameron Smith, - QLD
    • Ben Hunt. - QLD


    QLD = 13 NSW = 10

    (correct me if I'm wrong ... I did the QLD/NSW bit)

    "This squad has the right mix of youth and experience, as well as an overall balance across the positions for a World Cup campaign," Meninga said.

    The Kaufusi selection is the biggest surprise, but Meninga insists the Storm second-rower deserved recognition for an outstanding season with the NRL premiers.
    "Breakout year, on the verge of making Origin this year, 18th man for Queensland, outstanding back end of the year," Meninga said.

    "Combinations, cohesions with Cooper [Cronk] and Will Chambers on that right edge for the Storm. He's a big body, can play in the middle, he helps balance the footy team out."

    Meninga also said it was difficult to pick Tedesco, who is now likely to turn out for Italy, ahead of Slater, Darius Boyd and the more versatile Trbojevic and Gagai.

    "We've got a great array of full-backs playing our competition at the moment and we've got the Clive Churchill full-back in Billy Slater. He had a terrific Origin series," Meninga said.
    "We've got the incumbent in Darius Boyd; never lost a Test match in the green and gold jersey.

    "There was just such a difficult decision but I think it come down to the versatility and around the ability to play a number of positions."
    The only omitted player Meninga called was Ferguson.

    "Obviously he was clearly upset. He's been a great player for the green and gold but I had to be honest with him around his form and he accepted that. We move on," he said.
    Kaufusi made his NRL debut only two years ago but has enjoyed a steady rise in the game after being named as the Maroons' 18th man in the 2017 State of Origin series.
    McLean was also Origin 18th man — for New South Wales — and will be moving from the Storm to beaten grand finalists the Cowboys next season.

    Slater's recall sees him pull on the Kangaroos jersey for the first time in three years in a period where he has battled shoulder injuries and the form of Darius Boyd, who has also been named.

    Australia's other World Cup pool matches will be against France in Canberra and Lebanon in Sydney.

    Here
    Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago ...


  2. #2
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    I don't mind me a bit of RL, I usually watch at least the weekly highlights packages of most games on Rugby Pass, so this isn't a RU vs. RL thing but... the RL World Cup, it's a bit of a farce innit.

    *No-Spoiler Alert*

    The final will be Aust vs. NZ and Aust will win by 12+ points.

    The End.

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
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    Without looking on the net ... name the country captains




    I'm surprised that Fiji's Captain is still playing.

    Really enjoyed watching him in the NRL a few years back.

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Cam Smith - Aust; Simon Mannering - NZ...

    That's all I got.

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    I thought they'd just had a RL world cup or maybe time really is flying by as I remember Scotland who don't even play the game getting to the semi finals and giving England a scare in the first half.

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    I thought Kevin Naiqama was the Fiji captain.

    Didn't think Petro would be in the squad, except as assistant coach.

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    Actually, I bet that's just an old photo from 2013 world cup.

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
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    ^ When I was searching for an image for the 2017 comp, that came up as the captains shot.

    But I reckon you are correct. I'm fairly sure Petro isn't going round any more.

    I'll keep my eye out for an update.


    BTW, I thought the NRL Grand Final, as a sporting spectacular, a game was shite.

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    chassamui's Avatar
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    I can remember the Aus coach as a very fine player. What's he like as a coach?

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    ^Nobody knows.

    He's only ever coached the QLD Origin team and the Australian team, you and I could coach either side and win pretty much every match. It's not like he's had to coach Billy Slater on how to catch a high ball, or JT on how to put a kick into the opposition in-goal on tackle 5.

    Cleverly perhaps, he's stayed well away from coaching any NRL club team.

    Edit: My mistake, he coached the Raiders for a few years around 1990 (with limited success). In any case he was a good player, but good players don't necessarily make good coaches.
    Last edited by Headworx; 04-10-2017 at 08:12 AM.

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    He also had the shortest political career in Australian history.

    www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt--SGmIKIQ




  12. #12
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    League: Taumalolo turns his back on Kiwis, opts to represent Tonga at World Cup - NZ Herald

    Ridonkulous.

    This is why RL at International level struggles for credibility.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Headworx View Post
    ^ In any case he was a good player, but good players don't necessarily make good coaches.
    True dat.

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by chassamui View Post
    I can remember the Aus coach as a very fine player. What's he like as a coach?
    My impression of Mal is that he is a very effective 'Man Manager'.

    When he coached QLD he had others around him who had played at the NRL level.

    Kevin Walters was an Assistant Coach also Michael Hagan, a well established NRL Coach.


    OH, as an aside, Wayne Bennett thought he'd get the Kangaroo's Coaching gig and, when not appointed, spat the dummy
    and went onto to coach England.

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    I am a huge union fan, but follow league because it’s quick simple and aggressive just like me.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Switch View Post
    I am a huge union fan, but follow league because it’s quick simple and aggressive just like me.
    I am a huge League fan, but cannot follow Union 'cause it's seriously fucken shit just like Union .

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
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    I played League for almost 2 decades, mostly as a Tight Head Prop ... back in the days when we had 'real' scrums.

    Because I never went to a Private school, I never played Rugby.

    It seems a highly technical game which I don't totally grasp, but can enjoy @ an International level
    when played by southern hemisphere teams.

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    Quote Originally Posted by David48atTD View Post
    when played by southern hemisphere teams.
    You need to get out more Dave.

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by David48atTD View Post
    It seems a highly technical game which I don't totally grasp, but can enjoy @ an International level when played by southern hemisphere teams.
    I can't enjoy it, can't even watch it. Would rather watch 2 bottom placed NRL teams play than the 2 highest ranked International union teams play, by far. Union is just sooooo fucken slow, surely half+ of every game is spent standing around with hands on hips waiting for another stoppage to end. Then there's the basic skills - or lack of - that would keep any top union International out of any bottom ranked NRL team. They're fucking atrocious at tackling, passing, catching, and not giving away penalties!. It's clearly part of the union culture that making mistakes over and over is acceptable, in NRL they'd be playing in some feeder club quicker that the coach could say GTFO if they played half as bad as that. And don't get me going on their fitness levels!!.

    Sorry for the rant, but Union is just a cvnt of a game IMO.

  20. #20
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Headworx
    Union is just sooooo fucken slow, surely half+ of every game is spent standing around with hands on hips waiting for another stoppage to end. Then there's the basic skills - or lack of - that would keep any top union International out of any bottom ranked NRL team. They're fucking atrocious at tackling, passing, catching, and not giving away penalties!. It's clearly part of the union culture that making mistakes over and over is acceptable, in NRL they'd be playing in some feeder club quicker that the coach could say GTFO if they played half as bad as that. And don't get me going on their fitness levels!!.


    You need to watch some RU! What you're saying seems to be based on some 1970's stereotype.

    Anyways...

    The whole farcical situation with Taumalolo has taken an interesting turn, now Andrew Fifita has jumped ship and joined Tonga too - and he's foregoing about $50k to do it and now will be getting a $30 per diem. The interesting thing about it all is that now Tonga has a more than handy look to them - alongside Taumalolo and Fifita they'll also have Konrad Hurrell, Manu Vatuvei, Michael Jennings and Daniel Tupou.

    It has thrown the Kiwis planning and selection into disarray and you've also got to feel a bit for whoever it is that now gets turfed out of the Tongan squad to make way for Taumalolo and Fifita. All this only three weeks out from the tournament. They really need to look at the eligibility rules, that's just all kinds of focked up.

  21. #21
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    Rugby Union is a complex game, perhaps too complex in some cases, which is why there are so few top class referees.
    League is a much simpler game to watch and to play.

    Fitness levels are comparable for the professional game. The truly great skillful players have no problem adapting to code switches, which says it all really.
    Heart of Gold and a Knob of butter.

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    Quote Originally Posted by chassamui View Post
    Rugby Union is a complex game, perhaps too complex in some cases, which is why there are so few top class referees.
    League is a much simpler game to watch and to play.
    You've got a good point there. Even the Union commentators (ex players I assume) can't decipher or agree on what some penalties are for and with the whistle being blown every 20 seconds, it doesn't add to viewing pleasure not understanding WTF is going on half the time. Besides the fact that everyone is standing around with hands on hips. Again.

    Quote Originally Posted by chassamui View Post
    Fitness levels are comparable for the professional game.
    Disagree. I've met Matt Rogers half a dozen times thru a mutual friend and remember him saying once how a Wallabies training session was a Kangaroo's warm up, and that very few Union players would last 80 minutes of a fast League game. Has there ever been a Union player fit/strong enough to average 200+ carry meters or 50+ tackles a game over a season?. I would think not.

    Quote Originally Posted by chassamui View Post
    The truly great skillful players have no problem adapting to code switches, which says it all really.
    Yeah but it's one-way traffic, plenty of ex League players have gone to Union and pretty much straight into the Test side (Tuquri, Sailor, Thorn, Rogers, Folau, SBW, Hunt...) but how many ex Union players have made the switch and became dual Internationals?. Not one that I can think of in Australia. I do know that fucking idiot Quade Cooper tried to shop himself around to NRL teams and no one would touch him.

    Anyway we both obviously enjoy our respective games, and that's good for both of us.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Headworx View Post
    You've got a good point there. Even the Union commentators (ex players I assume) can't decipher or agree on what some penalties are for and with the whistle being blown every 20 seconds, it doesn't add to viewing pleasure not understanding WTF is going on half the time. Besides the fact that everyone is standing around with hands on hips. Again.


    Disagree. I've met Matt Rogers half a dozen times thru a mutual friend and remember him saying once how a Wallabies training session was a Kangaroo's warm up, and that very few Union players would last 80 minutes of a fast League game. Has there ever been a Union player fit/strong enough to average 200+ carry meters or 50+ tackles a game over a season?. I would think not.


    Yeah but it's one-way traffic, plenty of ex League players have gone to Union and pretty much straight into the Test side (Tuquri, Sailor, Thorn, Rogers, Folau, SBW, Hunt...) but how many ex Union players have made the switch and became dual Internationals?. Not one that I can think of in Australia. I do know that fucking idiot Quade Cooper tried to shop himself around to NRL teams and no one would touch him.

    Anyway we both obviously enjoy our respective games, and that's good for both of us.
    if you look exclusively at the Australian games the comparison is obviously lopsided. Yardage and tackle averages don’t apply to all players in either code, so that’s a bit cheeky. I enjoy both codes. Like I said, league is faster simpler and easy to follow.
    Speed is probably the big difference for league players while strength and skills range is probably greater in Union.

    Not saying one game is better than the other, they are both great spectacles at pro level, for different reasons.

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    Rugby League World Cup 2017

    Starts this coming Friday.

    Australia V England

    Bummer that Rugbypass doesn't have the rights to show it.

    Does anyone know how to watch the games online?

  25. #25
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
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    ^ Mate, I'll have a link tomorrow afternoon and will post it here.

    Also, don't forget that some states are on Daylight Saving Time (EDST) so an hour earlier.

    ---

    Match reviews ...

    Rugby League World Cup Match Previews


    Australia v England


    Defending World Cup champions, Australia will kick off their title defence by hosting England in Melbourne on Friday night.
    Australia has won 11-straight Test matches against England dating back to 1995, including a 28-20 victory at Cardiff in the 2013 World Cup.

    It will be a different looking Australian line-up to previous seasons, with Michael Morgan replacing Cowboys teammate Johnathan Thurston.
    Morgan was the form player of the recent NRL Finals Series and won’t look out of place alongside Cooper Cronk in the halves.

    England have assembled a strong squad led by NRL stars Sam Burgess, James Graham and Gareth Widdop, but it will be their Super League
    stars that will need to shine if they are to challenge Australia in the competition opener.
    Castleford’s Luke Gale won the Man of Steel Award this year, while English skipper, Sean O’Loughlin wouldn’t look out of place in the NRL.

    Raiders duo Josh Hodgson and Elliot Whitehead have both proven themselves in the NRL and give this side plenty of depth.

    The other advantage England has is master coach Wayne Bennett at the helm.
    England looks the biggest threat to Australia’s claims to back-to-back World Cup titles and they should be able to stay within 16 points of the Kangaroos.

    ---

    Papua New Guinea v Wales

    PNG are raging $1.11 favourites to win Pool C and it will be a tough start to the World Cup for Wales at the National Football Stadium
    at Port Moresby in front of a rugby league-mad crowd. PNG has the advantage of not only home crowd support, but a large percentage
    of their squad play together for the PNG Hunters in the Queensland Cup competition, which the Hunters won this season.

    Highlighting the strength of the PNG squad is the luxury they have in naming both Kurt Baptiste and James Segeyaro on the bench.

    Wales defeated PNG 22-8 at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. PNG defeated Fiji and the Cook Islands in two of their last three matches,
    while Wales had wins over Serbia and Italy, separated by a draw with Jamaica in their 2016 slate of matches.

    It’s a tough first-up spot for the Welsh, with The Wolf expecting a comfortable PNG win in front of a packed National Football Stadium.

    ---

    New Zealand v Samoa

    The alarm bells are ringing loud and clear in this match, because if New Zealand aren’t on their game first-up, Samoa will be ready to pounce.
    New Zealand won 14-12 when these sides last clashed in 2014 and The Wolf is expecting another tight contest in Auckland on Saturday night.

    Samoa has the pack to match the Kiwis (especially with Jason Taumalolo pledging his allegiance to Tonga), containing wrecking balls like
    Josh Papalii, Leeson Ah Mau and Junior Paulo in their starting line-up, but the halves pairing of Joseph Paulo and Ben Roberts is where will be
    outclassed by the Kiwis side led by Shaun Johnson.

    Samoa had the luxury of Anthony Milford in the No.6 jersey for their last Test match, a 30-10 loss to England in May at Campbelltown Stadium.

    There will be plenty of passion in this contest, but the Kiwis should get the job done over the 80 minutes.

    Samoa will also realise that their grand final in Group B will be when they clash against bitter rivals, Tonga.

    ---

    Fiji v USA

    Fiji have named a strong squad for the 2017 World Cup, with Jarryd Hayne named at five-eighth, while there is plenty of speed in the outside backs –
    led by Storm flyer Suliasi Vunivalu.

    Unfortunately it could be a tough night in Townsville for the USA, with their side lacking NRL experience outside of Eddy Pettybourne, Bureta Faraimo and Junior Vaivai.

    Fiji have been involved in some close battles in recent years against the like of PNG, Samoa and Tonga – that form is good enough for a first-up assignment
    against the USA, who are making up the numbers here.

    Fiji to go big here!

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