***Rugby League World Cup 2008 Thread***

[Burgey]

What a clinic by Slater and Inglis.

Poms had a decnt shot at it for that period int eh first half where they had all the ball, but just didn't convert. Without sounding prattish, is that your best halves combination? Didn't seem to offer too much when it mattered.

Kudos to our blokes for their defensive effort during that period.

Question for our UK posters. I don't see much SL. We hear it's improved a lot, and from what little I've seen it seems pretty entertaining. But, do you guys think the overseas players are propping it up at the expense of the develoopment of UK players?

 

[Johnners]

Just watched the highlights, Inglis & Slater creamed 'em.

 

[luffy]

Was at the game. Atmosphere was awesome. Didn't take long for the Poms to shut up though.

Awesome display by Slater & Inglis and basically all the Melbourne boys. (It pains me to say that)

But basically, England were very outclassed and very out muscled.

 

[social]

Inglis is definitely the most talented footballer in either of the rugby codes

Surround him with quality like the Australian league team and big points will result more often than not

It also helps that the tourney is being played in Australia and the players arent allowed to treat it like a month-long end-of-season booze cruise

 

[luffy]

I'm so hoping Inglis is playing a centre next year, macthup of him and Falou would be the highlight of the year, easily.

 

[Johnners]

Assuming you mean in origin or test matches, as Falou won't be playing NRL with Inglis next year.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Thought he meant Inglis (Storm) vs Folau (Broncos) matchup.

 

[luffy]

Exactly, matchup as in against each other.

 

[Craig]

Although Israel is more then welcome back at Melbourne.

 

[luffy]

I think he'd be welcome at any club.

 

[chaminda_00]

Talk is all the squad members are likely to get a run against PNG. Will be interesting to see who they pick and where. Could see this side come out.

1. K Hunt
2. D Williams
3. J Monaghan
4. I Folau
5. D Boyd
6. S Prince
7. J Thurston
8. B Kite
9. C Smith
10. P Civoniceva
11. A Laffranchi
12. G Stewart
13. T Campese

14. J Perry
15. A Watmough
16. C Fitzgibbon
17. A Tupou

 

[James90]

Campese and Prince in the halves. Allow JT more grieving time.

 

[NUFAN]

Campese and Prince in the halves. Allow JT more grieving time.

Yeah this and get Watmough and Fitzy starting so they get more game time.

 

[howardj]

I reckon the other night proved that to be competitive against Australia,...England, Ireland, Scotland etc need to be Great Britain.

Still, I'm a big supporter of annual Tri-Series between GB, Aus and NZ. However, I think having a World Cup was probably a bridge too far.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

I reckon the other night proved that to be competitive against Australia,...England, Ireland, Scotland etc need to be Great Britain.

If England wanted the "Scottish" and "Irish" players they would merely have called them up, no? Cf. Calderwood, M.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Question for our UK posters. I don't see much SL. We hear it's improved a lot, and from what little I've seen it seems pretty entertaining. But, do you guys think the overseas players are propping it up at the expense of the develoopment of UK players?

There's a lot of that, yeah. SH players are far better value for money than locally produced goods. Hopefully with the switch to franchises from 2009 we'll see a bit less short-termism in planning with the threat of relegation removed.

If England wanted the "Scottish" and "Irish" players they would merely have called them up, no? Cf. Calderwood, M.

Quite. Last genuine non-Pom to be a regular for GB was Carney.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Although Israel is more then welcome back at Melbourne.

If you want to lose all your points and do a Bulldogs, then yeah.

 

[luffy]

Campese as 5/8th, Gidley as halfback.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Gidley as halfback.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/28/2403863.htm

 

[luffy]

Oh dear...

I didn't know he had been ruled out for the whole cup, just thought the group stages...