*Official* Rugby League World Cup 2013

[steds]

Remi Casty has been the biggest disappointment of this World Cup by a mile for me. To any Roosters fans wondering what you're getting next year, he's well better than that. Honest

 

[Ausage]

Sif be a Rooster fan anyway...

I haven't been able to watch as much of it as I would like, but for me the best part of these tournaments is the group stages. Seeing games like USA vs Cook Islands is what it's all about. The quarters are usually the low point as 3 of them are generally blowouts. It only gets better from here though.

Watching Inglis carve up at the back really makes you wonder how long QLD will persist with Slater. He's still an excellent player but clearly the second best fullback available.

 

[Prince EWS]

Watching Inglis carve up at the back really makes you wonder how long QLD will persist with Slater. He's still an excellent player but clearly the second best fullback available.

It'll take until they're confident they have another Origin standard centre I think, unless they want to move Slater to the wing or something (which was a bit of a disaster overall last time they tried it in Origin). There's a bit of a gulf between their best five outside backs and the next little group which contains Nielsen, Gagai, Chambers and O'Neill. With Tate and Hodges probably playing their last series next year (if Hodges gets on the field at all) I doubt they'll really want to waste a player of Slater's quality and experience moving forward by calling up another centre just to move Inglis.

I think it's more likely they'll try and find different ways to get Inglis involved from kick returns and further in-field for general with Slater still at fullback, as they did this year with McQueen playing a bit of a "centre in attack, second row in defence" role at different stages.

Different story altogether with the Australian side though.

 

[Ausage]

It'll take until they're confident they have another Origin standard centre I think, unless they want to move Slater to the wing or something (which was a bit of a disaster overall last time they tried it in Origin). There's a bit of a gulf between their best five outside backs and the next little group which contains Nielsen, Gagai, Chambers and O'Neill. With Tate and Hodges probably playing their last series next year (if Hodges gets on the field at all) I doubt they'll really want to waste a player of Slater's quality and experience moving forward by calling up another centre just to move Inglis.

I think it's more likely they'll try and find different ways to get Inglis involved from kick returns and further in-field for general with Slater still at fullback, as they did this year with McQueen playing a bit of a "centre in attack, second row in defence" role at different stages.

Different story altogether with the Australian side though.

I really like the look of Gagai. Like Hodges in a lot of ways, very hard to pin down in a tackle (apparently a bit of a ****, so the similarities don't end there). If it had to be one of those four I'd take him.

 

[Prince EWS]

I really like the look of Gagai. Like Hodges in a lot of ways, very hard to pin down in a tackle (apparently a bit of a ****, so the similarities don't end there). If it had to be one of those four I'd take him.

Yeah I'm a big fan of Gagai as well; I mentioned the others because they've all been either 18th man or actually in the team over the last two years while Gagai hasn't, so it's unclear if the Queensland selectors share our thoughts. Hodges will probably miss at least the first Origin next season so as a New South Welshman I sincerely hope they bring in O'Neill or Chambers instead of Gagai. They've all got defensive issues but Gagai offers a lot more in attack IMO. Nielsen wouldn't exactly add much but if they're just looking for someone to hold down the fort so to speak then he'd be a decent pick as he's by far the best defender out of that lot.

 

[NUFAN]

Edrick Lee is the other guy not yet named who could become a bit of a bolter with Tate moving to the centres. But yeah, I was really impressed with both Knights centres throughout the second half of the season so I would love to see Gagai there.

 

[Burgey]

Reckon England are morals to beat NZ in the semi. I don't know why specifically, other than their record in Pom is crap - I think they've won 1 of their last 12 vs GB or England in the UK.

 

[dermo]

legit havent watched a minute of this world cup, so **** imo i know its good for growing the game and all that but i just couldnt be ****ed

 

[Prince EWS]

Genuine league fans who haven't bothered have really missed out. There have been some ripper games.

 

[NUFAN]

I haven't seen quite as many games I would have liked but I was pretty annoyed with Rothfield's article after Australia's 62-0 win. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that he had the majority of the article typed out before the tournament started just waiting for a big win to prove his point. I actually really applaud the tournament organisers for producing a format which gave incentive to the weaker teams and ensured more closer matches.

 

[dermo]

ill probably watch the england v nz game and the final but tbh dont care all that much who wins, aussie team is full of ****s who i really struggle to support

 

[Ausage]

I haven't seen quite as many games I would have liked but I was pretty annoyed with Rothfield's article after Australia's 62-0 win. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that he had the majority of the article typed out before the tournament started just waiting for a big win to prove his point. I actually really applaud the tournament organisers for producing a format which gave incentive to the weaker teams and ensured more closer matches.

Rothfield is a snake. Seriously the man is the lowest form of internet click whore. Can't stand him and won't click on his articles or read (let alone buy) a Telegraph out of principle.

I haven't watched as much as I'd like either, mainly due to the timing and not having 7mate on the main TV.

Of course, it's hardly a perfect tournament. Lets face it, the international scene has been run down for so long it's hard to expect it to be turned around in a few weeks. There was talk that the rule enforcing SOO players to commit to Australian selection was going to be scrapped which would be a great start for nations looking to get some consistency. Next step should be representative matches between Pacific Island nations played alongside the Anzac test imo. I don''t think a thriving (relatively) international scene is as far away as that idiot Rothfield would have you believe.

 

[benchmark00]

So when does this thing start?

 

[Jono]

So when does this thing start?

Apparently already been going on for a while:

League World Cup not waste of time: Hayne

 

[benchmark00]

Crowd of 5,762? What is this, an NRL grand final or something?

 

[Jono]

 

[steds]

England drop Rangi Chase and Michael McIlorum for Sat. Should have been done ages ago. Don't get to see much Widdop, but I find it hard to believe he'd have a substance to style ratio as low as Rangi's, and Burrow has made a huge difference when he's actulally been on the field and deserves to be in the 17 over McIlorum.

Anyway, interesting thing is that the rumours are flying around that they've been flung out of the squad. Partly fuelled by their none appearance in this photo. Only going home 48 hours before the rest of the squad, if true. But still...


Disappointed that Vatuvei's injured and all

 

[Prince EWS]

England drop Rangi Chase and Michael McIlorum for Sat. Should have been done ages ago. Don't get to see much Widdop, but I find it hard to believe he'd have a substance to style ratio as low as Rangi's, and Burrow has made a huge difference when he's actulally been on the field and deserves to be in the 17 over McIlorum.

Anyway, interesting thing is that the rumours are flying around that they've been flung out of the squad. Partly fuelled by their none appearance in this photo. Only going home 48 hours before the rest of the squad, if true. But still...


Disappointed that Vatuvei's injured and all

Speculation that Burrow will start at halfback with Widdop on the bench which would be particularly silly IMO.

 

[steds]

Indeed

 

[BoyBrumby]

The optimist in me would like to see Widdop in at #1 and Tomkins moved to the halves.

Sinfield seemingly being immovable from stand-off the fly in that particular ointment tho.