Rugby League - International

[steds]

Spot of pagga at the Hull derby I see. Hull KR started it, obv. From the beeb:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/hull_kr/6282292.stm

Disappointing to see actually, in all seriousness. IIRC the last time there was trouble at a league game Hull were involved too. Challenge Cup semi v the Rhinos?

Yorkies, hey. Disgraceful. Can't they read the signs? No ducking, running, bombing, swimming under diving boards or fighting with the other fans.



I'd given up posting in this thread, but while I'm here, I hope Whelan gets his arse handed to him on the 16th. I agreed with what he said about West Ham, but the person who's own rugby club had also just cheated to avoid relegation less than twelve months ago probably wasn't in the best position to say "They broke the law, told blatant lies and should have got a 10-point penalty." People in glass houses and all that, Dave. Because flogging Jerry Seu Seu and a couple of teenagers on loan would really cover Fielden's wage, and Radlinski would really play for free. The max penalty of 12 points would put them 3 points adrift at the bottom. That'd do fine, imo.

 

[Craig]

Whatever happened to Semi Tadulala (sp?)? I knew he got the arse by Melbourne and went to play for Salford (?) and then what happened to him?

 

[steds]

Went to Wakefield. Still there. Was **** for 2 seasons but had a really good 2006. Currently out for the season with a broken arm.

 

[steds]

Petition asking RFL to intervene on behalf of Castleford Tigers

Get it signed.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Petition asking RFL to intervene on behalf of Castleford Tigers

Get it signed.

Nah, must be fake. Half the names are female.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Petition asking RFL to intervene on behalf of Castleford Tigers

Get it signed.

Duly done.

 

[steds]

Sculthorpe quits international RL. Meh. Has been as good as retired for 3 years now.

 

[steds]

Wigan lose four points.

Should have been 8, but for Saints and Wigan's boards moaning. "It's last year's salary cap. Use last year's punishments." Our stupid bloody directors just saved Wigan from a relegation battle. Dire.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Would be interesting to hear what kind of evidence Fielden was going to give, "Yeah, this bloke Maurice wheeled a barrow full of money up to my front door."

 

[steds]

 

[BoyBrumby]

Andy Wilson in today's Guardian struck a healthily sceptical note. Link.

Last night's revelations also raise the question of how Wigan have avoided breaching the cap this season, with all the players who agreed to defer their payments now on better or longer deals. But cynics have already noted that by the time the 2007 figures are considered next year the danger of relegation will already have been removed, with a new franchise system due to be introduced for 2009.

Whole thing stinks to high heaven.

 

[steds]

Whole thing stinks to high heaven.

Indeed. Worst thing is that they're untouchable, no matter what Dave Hadfield says ("The League will not necessarily let matters rest here. It may well investigate further suggestions that Wigan took one third of their squad off the wage bill for the last three months of last season, deferring their payments until this

...

The League also believes it has proof of offshore payments to players and that Kris Radlinski, who supposedly came out of retirement to play for nothing, was actually being paid.").

Fact is, there's not a way the league can punish Wigan even if the above is proven. There is no realistic amount they could fine them which would get close to troubling Whelan's pocket, and the league would never ever threaten the club with relegation or withhold a franchise place from them because of the revenue Wigan, as a big name, creates for the league and other teams, particularly their close rivals for whom a derby is a big money spinner. What else could they do?


In other news, Cayless to miss the cup semi on Saturday. Gone back to Australia due to the death of his mother. Roby doubtful due to a "minor eye socket fracture." Throw in Flannery's ineligibility and suddenly our pack looks a wee bit lightweight. Could get good value on a Bradford - Wigan final, imo.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Indeed. Worst thing is that they're untouchable, no matter what Dave Hadfield says ("The League will not necessarily let matters rest here. It may well investigate further suggestions that Wigan took one third of their squad off the wage bill for the last three months of last season, deferring their payments until this

...

The League also believes it has proof of offshore payments to players and that Kris Radlinski, who supposedly came out of retirement to play for nothing, was actually being paid.").

Fact is, there's not a way the league can punish Wigan even if the above is proven. There is no realistic amount they could fine them which would get close to troubling Whelan's pocket, and the league would never ever threaten the club with relegation or withhold a franchise place from them because of the revenue Wigan, as a big name, creates for the league and other teams, particularly their close rivals for whom a derby is a big money spinner. What else could they do?

Well, if they're running franchises, start with -10 points every season from now until 2019.

 

[steds]

Thanks for making me feel like I'm not talking to myself. I like that idea. Can't see it happening though, really.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Challenge Cup final today. Steds's Saints taking on the nouveau arrivistes Catalan Dragons in the first Wembley final of the new millennium. On paper it looks like murder, but the French (avec numerous Australasian imports) have done well just to make the big day and it hopefully will continue to raise the profile of the sport down in the south of France.

Wonder if our St Helens representative has made the trip down to the big smoke for the occasion?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Great half of league. Scoreless for the first half hour before Roby scored a great solo try which Long converted & Mogg produced a magical pass to leave Long & Wellens stranded and Khattabi with a free run to the line. Jones missed the conversion to leave it at 6-4 and right before the break we had our moment of controversy when Gidley floated a blatant forward pass over to Wellens, who burst through a piss-weak affort at a tackle from Greenshields to score. Long nailed a superb conv from the touchline to make it 12-4 at the break, which flatters Saints quite considerably.

 

[Perm]

I was tempted to get up and watch the game actually, but the lure of sleep was too great. Hoping there is a replay on soon.

 

[BoyBrumby]

I was tempted to get up and watch the game actually, but the lure of sleep was too great. Hoping there is a replay on soon.

First half much better than second. Saints really put Les Dragons away in the first ten mins of the second.

Greenshields was woeful at full-back, much as it pains me to say it about an ex-St George bod.

 

[Matteh]

I was watching it on and off, seemed Saint Helens were generally well on top whenever i was paying attention.

 

[steds]

Wonder if our St Helens representative has made the trip down to the big smoke for the occasion?

Unfortunately not. Was at Leeds festival instead. Came back to find about 4 people recorded it for me, though. Poor game of rugby, really, but the result was the most important thing. Really proud of the boys. Five consecutive trophies

Great half of league. Scoreless for the first half hour before Roby scored a great solo try which Long converted & Mogg produced a magical pass to leave Long & Wellens stranded and Khattabi with a free run to the line. Jones missed the conversion to leave it at 6-4 and right before the break we had our moment of controversy when Gidley floated a blatant forward pass over to Wellens, who burst through a piss-weak affort at a tackle from Greenshields to score. Long nailed a superb conv from the touchline to make it 12-4 at the break, which flatters Saints quite considerably.

Shocking. He and Gardner don't even look alike.