Who is heading to the WC final?

[Jay-Lee]

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I am going to Australia Vs New Zealand at the SFS.

 

[DIEHARD]

I wouldn't miss this match for the world! icon_thumbs_u

It's going to be absolutely amazing. I'm so glad it's at Lang Park, where it belongs.

There are still a few tickets for this game that have been released, so if you don't have a ticket for this awesome game, try ticketek now.

 

[Coxy]

Anyone who does not attend the game who lives in, or has reasonable opportunity to get to Brisbane simply does not respect rugby league.

 

[mrslong]

Anyone who does not attend the game who lives in, or has reasonable opportunity to get to Brisbane simply does not respect rugby league.

[eusa_naugh What if we are going to the semi instead? Surely we still respect rugby league?

 

[Black Philip]

Anyone who does not attend the game who lives in, or has reasonable opportunity to get to Brisbane simply does not respect rugby league.

I have great respect for Rugby League, but I don't respect the international scene.

 

[Steve]

lolz come on Coxy bit hard to get pumped up for the World Cup when International Rugby League isn't competitive. I want the game to be close but when you stack Australia up against either NZ or BG we all know who is going to come out on top.

 

[mick]

Hmmm. I thought the close-as-shite Ashes tour of 2003, the Kiwis beating us in 2005 and the golden point tri-nations final more recently should've showed everyone that international league IS something to be respected.

Of course we belt the Kiwis in all of the one-off tests we have in April/May, but that means squat. Both NZ and GB have shown us in the last five years that they do have the ability to match it with us, and even come out on top, once they have a few games under their belts.

IMO it's very unlikely that Australia will lose the final, but I'd say it's equally unlikely that they'll win it by 20 points.

 

[ethos]

I'm really looking forward it and I reckon we'll see some top class contests.

The Kiwis will be a pretty big threat, especially with Bennett. And they've had a trial game plus that All Golds thing, so they'll be ready to go and the Aussies might be a bit underdone. Great Britain are apparently going to try and beat us with a skillful game, which will be entertaining.

And all the games between the island nations should be great to watch as well. It's just great that there's some league at this time of the year.

 

[Dave]

Love your optimism Mick but IMO Australia will stroll to victory in the WC. The format suits us because we have the depth to cover injuries, poor form etc in key positions if they occur better than any other squad. If Benji goes down for NZ they are left with Leuluai, Fein and Hohaia as their halves and on previous international displays they will then be rudderless against most sides. If we lose JT then we bring in Prince, if we lose Slater than Hunt plays and if Smith was out Gidley would come in - all 3 of those replacement players for Australia would start in any other side in the WC but we have the luxury of them coming from the bench.

England are the only team with the potential to cause us any troubles at all I reckon - they look to have a good squad on paper and good combinations in key positions but every time they come to Australia we put the cleaners through them. Again depth in key positions looks to be their problem as well.

I reckon both sides would fancy their chances against us more in a one off test match with all players available. I really hope the WC goes well though as RL deserves a competitive tournament.

 

[Black Philip]

If NZ had SBW, Asotasi and Webb I would expect them to be much more of a threat. However at the moment I can't see them troubling Australia. I'm not sure about England as I don't know alot about their players but I have heard they have a great squad with alot of talent. So here's hoping they put up a good fight.

 

[DIEHARD]

Read some of the ruthless articles written about the Origin concept at the time and remember how maligned interstate footy was back then. Far far worse than the state of international footy atm.

International rugby league has all the potential in the world, we just have to work on it.

Queensland dominated NSW with only 2 NRL clubs v 10 NSW based NRL clubs.

Just strap yourself in and enjoy this amazing event which isn't only about who is best, but the rugby league world coming together and competing. I'm so excited that the World Cup will be a regular event once again! _woohoo_

 

[cam]

i just got tickets in section 521. has anyone sat there before ? i always thought that was corporate boxes etc

 

[mick]

Love your optimism Mick but IMO Australia will stroll to victory in the WC. The format suits us because we have the depth to cover injuries, poor form etc in key positions if they occur better than any other squad. If Benji goes down for NZ they are left with Leuluai, Fein and Hohaia as their halves and on previous international displays they will then be rudderless against most sides. If we lose JT then we bring in Prince, if we lose Slater than Hunt plays and if Smith was out Gidley would come in - all 3 of those replacement players for Australia would start in any other side in the WC but we have the luxury of them coming from the bench.

Again, we looked just as good before the 2005 TN (lost) and 2006 TN (won final in golden point). Succumbed to inuries through the 2005 tournament sure, but the Kiwis definitely gel well and can perform at the highest level after a few weeks together.

Tonga v. Samoa is another match that I, and all league fans, should be eagerly anticipating. Hell, England v PNG this Saturday night will be a cracker! The Kumuls are hard as nails and the conditions in Townsville won't be a prob for them.

 

[Fozz]

i just got tickets in section 521. has anyone sat there before ? i always thought that was corporate boxes etc

2nd Tier. Right on the centreline. NICE! I've sat in 524 before and you do go through a corporate kind of area (I think Stadium members sit around there).

 

[ethos]

Didn't want to start up a whole new thread but I came across this on the net..

http://activemagazine.smedia.com.au/olive/am3/rlwcprogram/

Some good articles in there.

edit: on second thoughts, needs more stuff about the game in the smaller nations.

 

[Nashy]

Anyone who does not attend the game who lives in, or has reasonable opportunity to get to Brisbane simply does not respect rugby league.

I'll go if Australia is NOT playing.

If they are there, I'm not going to bother. League is nothing in the International world while they steal everyone's players.

 

[Nashy]

If you think it's right the way it is then you simply don't care about the game. That goes for everyone.

What country also has the most power in changing the "International" rules? Australia does, hence why nearly everything suits them perfectly.

 

[Nashy]

If you think it's right the way it is then you simply don't care about the game. That goes for everyone.

What country also has the most power in changing the "International" rules? Australia does, hence why nearly everything suits them perfectly.

I don't think it's right, I am giving you shit for your comments about Australia "stealing" all the good players. It's not like they make the rules so the good players play for Australia. They just put the rules in place, and that's it.

If it was up to me, eligibility would go on technicality. If you're parents are both NZ, you play for NZ. If you're parents are both Fijian, you have to play for Fiji.

Yeah, that would have never been on their minds.