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

[Craig]

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

True. This salary cap needs to be sorted out once and for all. Mind you if Cameron Smith takes this massive offer that is apparently on the table from the Titans ($3m over 5 years), then some serious auditing would have to be required by the NRL

 

[Johnners]

Not really, even with Smith the Titans team still wouldn't come close to the Storm in '07 in terms of salary cap afaic.

 

[Craig]

Not really, even with Smith the Titans team still wouldn't come close to the Storm in '07 in terms of salary cap afaic.

Well you have Laffranchi, Prince, Zillman, Bailey, Rogers (guess he will be gone by then), all earning a fair mint, and I doubt Preston Campbell is on minimum wage either. According to Michael Searle their salary cap is near chockers, however, he is an accountant by trade, so should I trust him?

 

[chaminda_00]

Titans have no depth so they should have a fair bit of room to move under the salary. If they don't then some guys are seriously overpaid.

 

[Old Mate]

Oh dear...

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

Even if he wasn't ruled out I wouldn't put him there.

 

[luffy]

Yeah, but everyone is getting a go?

Maybe put him in the forwards than...

 

[Craig]

Titans have no depth so they should have a fair bit of room to move under the salary. If they don't then some guys are seriously overpaid.

Zillman $250k a year, you tell me?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Fair play to the Irish. Definitely didn't see that one coming! Pat Richards the hero.

Scots win too, but Fiji advance on points difference.

 

[James90]

I can't get a straight answer out the RLWC website and can't be assed looking around for a proper explanation of the draw.

So am I to understand that Fiji and Ireland both advance to the semis and the final space will be decided by a qualifier between England and New Zealand some time next week?

Then which is the semi-final in Brisbane on the Saturday night? Is it the Australia game and if so, who are we playing?

 

[BoyBrumby]

I can't get a straight answer out the RLWC website and can't be assed looking around for a proper explanation of the draw.

So am I to understand that Fiji and Ireland both advance to the semis and the final space will be decided by a qualifier between England and New Zealand some time next week?

Then which is the semi-final in Brisbane on the Saturday night? Is it the Australia game and if so, who are we playing?

Close, but no cigar. The top 3 teams from Group A advance to the semis and Fiji & Ireland will play-off for the 4th semi spot.

So, unless PNG spring the mother of all shocks, it'll be Oz to play Fiji or the Irish and NZ to play England.

As to when Oz play, I dunno without checking and am at work.

 

[Johnners]

Yeah that's how I read it.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Just been watching highlights of the Ireland/Samoa game. Superb defence from the boys in green; the Samoans were camped on the Irish goal-line for ages. Great kicking from hand too, I think 4 of the 6 tries came from kicks.

Solomona's challenge on Gleeson was really bad tho; lead with the forearm and his elbow glancingly connected with Gleeson's jaw. Ref put him on report, but shoulda been a straight red.

 

[James90]

Highlight of the whole event thus far.

 

[BoyBrumby]

England leading NZ 18-8 after 23 minutes. Surprisingly open game it must be said. Kangaroos not likely to be losing too much sleep.

Gleeson at stand-off & Purdham at loose forward doing their chances no harm at all.

 

[Somerset]

Good finish to the match from the Kiwis, and there was really only one team in the second half. Defence a bit of a worry in the first 30 minutes or so though finishing strongly will give the side a lot of confidence heading into next week's semi final rematch. Still shaking my head at the disrespectful English team turning their backs on the haka though.

 

[Somerset]

Highlight of the whole event thus far.

No shortage of passion from either side there!

 

[Craig]

Good finish to the match from the Kiwis, and there was really only one team in the second half. Defence a bit of a worry in the first 30 minutes or so though finishing strongly will give the side a lot of confidence heading into next week's semi final rematch. Still shaking my head at the disrespectful English team turning their backs on the haka though.

Got what they deserved. I think Dacid Campese did that once or twice and Australia got belted as a result.

 

[ripper868]

yeah poor form to turn your back on the haka or any other nations dance.

 

[Goughy]

Still shaking my head at the disrespectful English team turning their backs on the haka though.

Why?

 

[Craig]

Why?

Because they are morons?

Anyway on another note, what does BB think of this ref Thierry Albriet (sp?), I mean you knew the French were stuffed when they weren't getting a helping hand from one of their own