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  1. #51
    Thailand Expat DrWilly's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Headworx View Post
    The proof of ball skills and fitness is indisputable, any decent NRL player will be in their national Union team the same year (or week) they switch codes (Tuiquiri, Sailor, SBW, Rogers, Vanavalu, RTS, Burgess, Folau, Hunt, Thorn, Korobeiti, etc, there's a ton of them) but Union players do not have the balls skills or fitness to play League at any real level. They can't reliably catch a simple fucking pass, it's just an accepted part of that game!
    See, now you are comparing league to Northern Hemisphere Rugby and I kind of agree with you there.

    But not Southern Hemisphere.

  2. #52
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Headworx View Post
    any decent NRL player will be in their national Union team the same year (or week) they switch codes (Tuiquiri, Sailor, SBW, Rogers, Vanavalu, RTS, Burgess, Folau, Hunt, Thorn, Korobeiti, etc, there's a ton of them) but Union players do not have the balls skills or fitness to play League at any real level.
    Can't agree with you there.

    Those are the exceptions not the rule, many others fail, and of those that make it plenty have a RU background prior to RL to begin (e.g. RTS). Thorn's an exception unto himself as a RL 'convert' (he played RU as a junior too) to have made it as a forward (Burgess was an abject failure there and not much better in the centers) and that was only after he turned down initial international selection as in his own words he wasn't ready.

    Besides if it really were that easy then more journeymen RL players would do it where the money and exposure in RU is greater.

    Ultimately I think it's somewhat of a fallacy to even compare the two anyway. They are different games with their own different strengths and weaknesses and I enjoy both for what they are, just prefer RU because it's what I played.

  3. #53
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Should also add that one of the main reasons RU went pro in NZ to begin with was the constant RL raids / poaching of players.

    They must've been targeting them for a reason (still do at junior level) and what was once a flood is now barely even a trickle. RL to RU converts are far more prevalent since then.

    I can't actually even think of the last top level RU to RL convert... maybe Marc Ellis back in the early 2000's??

  4. #54
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    Quote Originally Posted by AntRobertson View Post
    Besides if it really were that easy then more journeymen RL players would do it where the money and exposure in RU is greater.
    Is it? If a Brisbane Bronco 1st grader switched to the Reds he'd make more money and play in front of bigger crowds each weekend? I dunno what sort of money they make, but the Reds play in front of their families and friends each week compared to the 30+ thousand the Bronco's typically get to home games. The Origin series just sold out 3 games and they played in front of a collective crowd of about 180,000 people, I'd like to know the crowd numbers of the Oz v England international Union series taking place now but would bet large that their numbers are absolutely nowhere near that ballpark. Its simply not a popular sport in Oz, I believe that's because its so slow and boring compared to NRL and AFL.

  5. #55
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Headworx View Post
    Its simply not a popular sport in Oz
    Yeah but that's kinda the point though. Whatever the relative merits RU absolutely dominates RL internationally and it's not even close. As far as I'm aware Aust and Papua New Guinea are the only two countries where RL has a bigger competition and following than RU.

    So let's say--to use your figure--there are 30,000+ watching the Broncos cf. 10,000 watching the Reds on any given weekend, there are still many more watching the latter on international broadcasts (which of course is where the real money is at).

    And that's just club-slash-provincial RU. Close to 110,000 were at a single 2000 Bledisloe between the Wallabies and All Blacks in Sydney 2000 and by the conclusion of the current three Test Ireland tour of NZ there will have been almost 120,000 spectators from a country with an entire population not too much bigger than Sydney's.

  6. #56
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    Anyway I just don't get it. Surely you guys who enjoy Rugby want to throw a bottle at the tv every time some Under 7's standard error by the best players in the world happens too, or do you's all keep a few dozen spare in the back room for when someone drops a perfectly good pass cold? I mean seriously, you's must watch the game through your fingers knowing someone's about to make a complete fucking meal out of it!

    If they could speed the game up, stop with the constant delays, teach them ball skills, make it worthwhile to go for a Try instead of taking their 20th conversion attempt every 3 minutes when a penalty is blown, that would go a long way to making it entertaining to watch. Just my opinion of course, don't even get me going on fucking soccer

  7. #57
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Headworx View Post
    don't even get me going on fucking soccer
    Yeah well fuck that shit.

    Not trying to change your mind though, not that I could haha, but give it another crack and you *might* be surprised at how the game has changed since it went pro.

    As I say personally I can watch either it's just a preference and exposure thing for me really.
    Last edited by AntRobertson; 14-07-2022 at 03:00 PM.

  8. #58
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    Well I watched all of the Bronco's v Titans NRL game yesterday (highly entertaining) before switching over to the 2nd half of Oz v Eng and will never figure out what the attraction is. The handling errors were beyond ridiculous from both sides, genuine under 10's level, and my biggest gripe of the game being too stop-start rang true. A quick look at the stats shows the NRL game had 6 penalties blown while the Union game had 21. Twenty-fucking-one. We won't even talk about unforced errors and missed tackle counts...

    As for strategy, I'm no coach but will never understand in Union why when a team gets a penalty 5 or 10 meters out and advantage is being played, why they don't roll the dice with a Harbour bridge pass or kick to a Winger or anything besides one fat cvnt trying to crash thru the 5 defenders standing in front of him over and over before inevitably losing the ball, again. You've got a free swing so fucking take it! If it goes wrong it'll be called back for the original penalty anyway so at least try something with some imagination in it that's not easily defended for fuck sakes!

    Anyway, watching the morning sports shows and it's pretty clear heads are being called for on both sides of the Tasman right now

  9. #59
    Thailand Expat DrWilly's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Headworx View Post
    Its simply not a popular sport in Oz, I believe that's because its so slow and boring compared to NRL and AFL.
    T20 cricket is more exciting than test cricket and has more sixes, but that doesn't make it a better game.

    If you dont like 'slow and boring' games then go watch basketball. They get lots of points each game.

  10. #60
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    ^Basketball, Baseball, and NFL are 3 sports I cannot watch. But especially Basketball.

  11. #61
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
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    If you missed the Rabbitoes vs Roosters game today ... STOP

    Don't search for the result, find the FULL GAME replay.

    It was the closest NRL game to a deciding State of Origin I've ever watched.

    Set a record for the most Sin Bins ever.

    Brutal and thoroughly absorbing game, IMHO, this year.

    Grab the popcorn and a six pack, sit back and enjoy.
    Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago ...


  12. #62
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    Looks like everybody lost interest in the finals.

    I guess it was always a forgone conclusion that the Panthers would win the GF.

    I noticed that watchnrl.com says that they won't be broadcasting any of the world cup games.

    So, anybody know the best way to watch?

  13. #63
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
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    After five years the Rugby League World Cup returns: Ultimate Guide

    NRL Rugby League 2022-screenshot-2022-10-12-19-06-a


    After five years between tournaments, the Rugby League World Cup returns on Sunday with host nation England facing a stacked Samoan side.

    The World Cup was meant to take place this time last year, however Australia and New Zealand withdraw due to Covid, which saw the tournament moved to 2022.
    The format for this edition is four groups of four teams, with the top two teams of each group advancing to the quarter-finals.

    NRL 2022: Rugby League World Cup, Australia, New Zealand, England, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Cook Islands, Wales, Papua New Guinea, Ireland, Greece, Jamaica, Scotland, France, Italy, Lebanon

  14. #64

  15. #65
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    Quote Originally Posted by TizMe View Post
    Looks like everybody lost interest in the finals.

    I guess it was always a forgone conclusion that the Panthers would win the GF.

    I noticed that watchnrl.com says that they won't be broadcasting any of the world cup games.

    So, anybody know the best way to watch?
    Fox League reckon they have it and various BBC channels have some of the games (BBC 2, BBC Sport Live, BBC Red Button) but unfortunately at 1:30AM Thai time.

  16. #66
    Thailand Expat prawnograph's Avatar
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    The 2022 Rugby League World Cup began mid-October, and after a series of absolutely farcical* match-ups, now down to the last four, semifinals this weekend:

    Friday, 11 November
    Semi-final 1 - Australia v New Zealand (19:45 GMT) - Elland Road, Leeds
    New Zealand are booked on a flight home the day after semifinal against Kangaroos - such confidence!

    Saturday, 12 November
    Semi-final 2 - England v Samoa (14:30 GMT) - Emirates Stadium, London
    England faced Samoa in round one, winning 60-6.


    Saturday, 19 November
    Final - England v Australia (16:00 GMT) - Old Trafford, Manchester

    * odds were not available for win/lose on most of these matches
    Wales 12-18 Cook Islands
    Australia 84-0 Scotland
    Fiji 60-4 Italy
    New Zealand 68-6 Jamaica
    Lebanon 32-14 Ireland
    Samoa 72-4 Greece
    England 94-4 Greece
    Lebanon 74-12 Jamaica
    Tonga 92-10 Cook Islands
    Samoa 62-4 France

    The Womens 2022 Rugby League World Cup is running at the same time

    England were victorious with a great 72-4 win over the Brazil Amazonas (Brazil playing only their third ever match, squad had previously played football, basketball and handball)


    Amy Hardcastle celebrates breaking through to score the England Beefeaters fifth try.

    For the record, England's Beevers also scored v the Brazilians.

  17. #67
    Thailand Expat prawnograph's Avatar
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    Meanwhile, league not union

    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    Rugby League World Cup: Australia into final with 16-14 win over New Zealand thanks to Cameron Murray's second-half try

    A second-half try from Cameron Murray proved enough to seal victory for Australia in Friday's Rugby League World Cup semi-final at Elland Road; the Kangaroos face either England or Samoa in the final at Old Trafford on Saturday November 19

    Match Report - Australia 16 - 14 New Zealand | 11 Nov 2022


    Semi-final 1 - Australia v New Zealand (19:45 GMT) - Elland Road, Leeds
    New Zealand are booked on a flight home the day after semifinal against Kangaroos
    Good economics NZ

  18. #68
    Thailand Expat prawnograph's Avatar
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    Well, England knocked out of their Rugby League World Cup at home.
    Truly amazing.

    England 26 Samoa 27



    Samoa pulled off one of the great sporting comebacks to knock out England from its own Rugby League World Cup, earning a final showdown against Australia.

    Four weeks after being humiliated 60-6 by England in the tournament opener in Newcastle, the Samoans turned the table in dramatic fashion with a golden point 27-26 semifinal victory at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

    2022 Rugby League World Cup final
    Saturday, 19 November
    Final - Samoa v Australia (16:00 GMT) - Old Trafford, Manchester
    Last edited by prawnograph; 13-11-2022 at 06:19 AM.

  19. #69
    Thailand Expat prawnograph's Avatar
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    Toa Samoa v Kangaroos Rugby League World Cup showdown a significant moment for Pacific sport



    Samoan fans around the world are preparing for parades and celebrations ahead of the Rugby League World Cup showdown between Toa Samoa and Australia's Kangaroos.

    Toa Samoa enters Old Trafford in Manchester early on Sunday morning as the first Pacific Island nation to qualify for a Rugby League World Cup grand final.

    Their electrifying victory over England in the semi-final has made Toa Samoa fans more ambitious, with many confident their team can pull off an upset against Australia.


    Cars flooded Auckland streets waving Samoan Flag after the team beat England in Rugby League World Cup.

    New Zealand: Rugby League World Cup: More fan zones organised as Samoan fans gear up for big weekend

    More official events have been announced ahead of the Rugby League World Cup final, with fans gearing up for an epic showdown between Samoa and Australia.

  20. #70
    Thailand Expat prawnograph's Avatar
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    Hosts England knocked out of men's and women's Rugby League World Cup at the semifinal stage (men lost to Samoa, Women lost to NZ)

    Women's Rugby League World Cup: England coach Craig Richards leaves role
    Last updated on15 November 202215 November 2022

    England head coach Craig Richards has left his role following his side's 20-6 Women's World Cup semi-final defeat by New Zealand on Monday.

    Richards, appointed in 2017, led hosts England to their fourth consecutive World Cup semi-final.


    New Zealand now face Australia in Saturday's final at Old Trafford.

  21. #71
    or TizYou?
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    The improved standard of the women's game in Australian WNRL over the last couple of years means the Aussie girls are probably unbeatable.
    They had given every team they played except New Zealand a flogging, but they made up for that with a 54 - 4 score line in the final.

    In the men's game, plenty of people hoped that Samoa would pull off an upset against the Aussies, but the Kangaroos were just too good.

  22. #72
    On a walkabout Loy Toy's Avatar
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    ^ We rule the world mate. For the men's team and for the ladies team

  23. #73
    Thailand Expat prawnograph's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Loy Toy View Post
    ^ We rule the world mate. For the men's team and for the ladies team
    Surprised at the lack of neutral refs at this World Cup, thought there might be an English ref qualified at international level rather than having two Australians Atkins and Klein as their officials, with Klein in charge of Australia's semifinal and final.

    2022 a memorable year for Ashley Klein, he officiated all three State of Origin matches, the NRL grand final and a World Cup final in

    Huge win for the women's team, all but two of the NZ side play in the Australian Women's competition so would know their opponents, a disappointing effort.

  24. #74
    Thailand Expat prawnograph's Avatar
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    In NZ's Samoan community

    Samoa fans party on in Auckland despite Rugby League World Cup Final loss

    Toa Samoa’s 30-10 loss to the Australian Kangaroos in the Rugby League World Cup Final did little to dampen the mood in Tāmaki Makaurau’s [Auckland,s] Samoan and wider Pasifika communities. Samoa defeated Tonga and later England to make it to the final at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, becoming the first Pacific Island nation to do so.


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