lynx000
State of Origin Rep
Contributor
- Jul 28, 2008
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Of course its standard practice to ignore all the rules. (OK it's not and an insult to the players and the ref to suggest it)
At the game, both sides seemed to be pulled back 11 or 12m and allowed to get to the ref with their back foot. Personally I prefer the system where refs go back 10 and use the front foot. Is this a difference between Aus and England? - at various points Brisbane were going back too far. I also felt that Warrington employed an "up and in system" in the Broncos half that seemed to work.
The main reason Brisbane did not win was that they are 3 weeks behind Warrington in preparation. Warrington had pre season friendlies and were dire in them. They started the season last week and were awful but it takes a few weeks to get up to speed.
I would expect Warrington as one of the top sides in England last year to complete with mid table sides in the NRL but if you put a lower English side against a higher Aussie side it would be embarrassing. There is not the depth in the game here. Some of the lower sides are populated with journeymen and mediocre imports who circulate between the lower clubs.
I should also say the Brisbane players were a credit to the club - doing coaching clinics and school appearances and being totally available to the media. I know sponsors loved the event too.
There also seemed to be great camaraderie between the two sets of players. Both sets stayed a long while after the game chatting with each other, swapping shirts and then chatting with fans, doing autographs and photos. I was chatting with some soccer fans who attended and they were amazed by the game
So...win or lose ...was it good for the game? I'd have to say yes.
Thanks for your input, it is always good to get insight into the game from the other side of the fence. I think just about everyoe has confirmed that Warrington were by far the better side on the night and deserved the win. You can't begrudge passionate supporters having a bit of a gripe about decisions that did not go their team's way. You wouldn't expect anything less would you?