Yet Another Cycling Forum
Off Topic => The Pub => The Sporting Life => Topic started by: fd3 on 16 February, 2020, 02:16:41 pm
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No post on the topic. Am I really the only one who follows the sport?
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No.
Rochdale Hornets ground-share with the football team. The first half of the season is often a washout!
Good result for Huddersfield last week. My wife's uncle, Joe Peel, used to play for them when they were Far Town. Calling yourself "Giants" was always asking for trouble.
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I'm not from a league background, but inherited it from my in-laws (Hull KR). Being foreign I nominally support the Catalans, so that whole Folau saga is working out really nice for me. It's like we're a halfway house for players no one else would touch with a bargepole.
What are your thoughts on Toronto in the English League?
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Same as they are for Catalans! Anyway, the days of local sides are long gone, except in the lower leagues. Oddly, Toronto train in Rochdale! Rochdale themselves were founder members (with Huddersfield, I think) but those days are also long gone and Rochdale are in Division 3 this season.
I never played league, but I like the game very much. The scrum is killing Rugby Union (that and steroids). But I still watch it, having played ar school and college. My limp never lets me forget!
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I played Union for 25 years to a pretty good standard. In the early 80's, I also played two games of League for £$£ [under an assumed name] for a team in Cumbria. I never told a soul until well after Union went professional as I didn't want the then mandatory life ban.
I've got to be honest, I found League boring to play.
It paid for a couple of weekends in the Lake District seeing a young lady that I'd met whilst in Carlisle playing Union for my County.
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I'll watch the occasional game, but being ingrained in union as player and referee, I find league tactically less interesting with no real contested restarts and only six points of contact. In some of the real nailbiting union matches, you can see teams putting together double figures of rucks or mauls before forcing the error
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The other day I watched a highlights reel of the 1988 New Year's Day match between Wigan and Warrington, the one they called World War III.
https://youtu.be/mjLC_vqhfZ0
First time I've watched any League since I was in my teens.
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Union gets a big following from ex-players, as a non-player I just see people kicking the ball back and forth up the pitch, dropping the ball and then 5 minutes of stoppage until a team concedes a penalty at the scrum (seemingly at random). When I watched it with an ex player it was much better and 10-15 years ago I remember watching some cracking matches with really good skill levels ... but it just doesn't have the appeal anymore.
League is designed as a spectator sport and as a pure spectator I find it much better than any other footy code.
Great to see that Catalans are removing rainbow flags to prevent any injury to their advertising. I may have to switch my support to our hated Derby rivals (London).
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I think high marks in Aussie Rules football are pretty spectator friendly
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-BAaCBC1V1Q
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What an amazing collection, D! I don't know how Rules is played, so I'll be reading up. Unlike rugby union players these days, they look like normal human beings, except for being mostly tall. There's some terrific athleticism shown - I think some of them could hurdle to an Olympic high jump medal. There's a lot of "eye-watering" shoulder-straddling in the climbs, so I imagine the singing in the showers is pretty soprano. I'm going to find some clips on the tube to get more familiar. Is the injury rate high? I imagine broken shoulders and necks are on the cards. Definitely a bonkers sport.
Thanks for sharing - as they say on the street.
peter
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Yeah, I hadn't included Ozzy rules, Gaelic and Kabaddi in my list because.
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I come from a part of Oz that is League through-and-through (worked at the Lang Park Cauldron and all) and still think that Aussie Rules is more spectator-friendly. Amazing athleticism.
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Yeah, I hadn't included Ozzy rules, Gaelic and Kabaddi in my list because.
Anyone for buzkashi?
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League is designed as a spectator sport and as a pure spectator I find it much better than any other footy code.
I used to love watching League in the days where Martin Offiah and Ellery Hanley used to boss it for Wigan. I stopped watching it in the mid 2000s I guess, when it seemed to be smash it up the middle 5 times and try for a 40:20 or whatever it was called. With union it feels like every ruck has the potential for a penalty (either way) - it drives me nuts and I don't watchi it much for that reason. With League it seemed to be all about how long you could lie on top of someone without getting pinged for it.
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I grew up with a Leeds Rhinos season ticket and went to Headingley fortnightly for the better part of 10 years with my dad.
I love league - which has probably been helped by supporting one of the more dominant sides of this century - but I've been watching more and more union over the last 5 years and I have to say it really has grown on me, the more you understand the rules the more interesting a sport it becomes.
Generally the NRL is far superior to Super League and Australia will always be better than the Kiwi's and England/GB.
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Not watched much NRL, but that which I have watched didn't sell it to me as being particularly better than the SL. SOO included.
I pretty much only watch free to view sport anyway, so I am unlikely to see more NRL or Ozzie Rules unless they get a late night show on 4 or 5.
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Should the RFL look at the mistakes the Department for Education made and accept that they can't have P/R this year and probably not next year and plan accordingly.
Its not been too long ago that P/R was on a three year cycle, so it's not that hard for them to put in place.
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P/R?
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Rugby League is so much easier to understand. There are only about 5 rules* in the game.
The rules relating to forward play in Union is just so complicated. Arbitrary penalising a team's
scrum happens all the time**.
* Slight exaggeration.
** That's how it appears to me.
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Sorry, P/R = promotion/relegation. My post makes very little sense without that.
De Sisti, I think that was very much the original intent of League, to make it more fan-friendly. My experience is that people who prefer union either played or have family who played and thus they understand the intricacies of the endless rolling about in the mud and kicking back and forth (showing my prejudice here). I think the best union matches I've watched are as good as the best league games I've watched, but in the last 10 years I have rarely seen a league match as bad as union matches can often get.
I think there have only ever been two SuperLeague matches without a try. Imagine a world where there had only been one Premiere Leage match without a goal scored?
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The NRL is back, watched the first game between Melbourne & South Sydney and I'm already excited for the rest of the season, such a zesty game.
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I posted a comment re League on the six nations thread. I used to watch it as a girl, but it was too one-dimensional for me. All the players are physically similar, as well. No scope for differing builds, no skills beyond the running.I recognise that they are indeed fit, skilled, hard, etc, but it lacks the variety I get from my own national game.
Crash ball---tackle. Repeat five more times, then kick.
Repeat
Repeat
Repeat.
Occasionally have a joke scrum where the ball is bounced off the back of a prop's head, and that's it.
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Rob Burrow (now sadly crippled by MND) is 5feet 5 inches, Jason Robinson 5 8; both smaller than George Ford, who at 5 9 only looks small because of the steroidal beff-fattened rest of the team. I think the average size of a League player will be considerably less than that of a Union player both in height and weight. The Vunipolas are special cases as there are virtually no cubic players in League. I'm able to appreciate both games, so twice the mud!
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Occasionally have a joke scrum where the ball is bounced off the back of a prop's head, and that's it.
In rugby union scrums, the ball is fed through the legs of the 2nd rows to the number 8.
Honest, it's true*.
*That's how it looks to me. :-D
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Occasionally have a joke scrum where the ball is bounced off the back of a prop's head, and that's it.
In rugby union scrums, the ball is fed through the legs of the 2nd rows to the number 8.
Honest, it's true*.
*That's how it looks to me. :-D
Tell me about it! I played loosehead for a while, and hooker occasionally. Back then, the ref would blow for a squint feed, and there was a lot of skill in putting the ball in on the slant, i.e. with one end pointing up at the 9's hooker's side, so that when the ball hit the ground it bounced back towards him and away from the opposition front row. Now, it looks as if the ball is being thrown straight between the loosehead's feet to the locks. The only way to take one against the head is to massively outpush the other pack.
The days of the Viet Gwent and hooking with the head are long gone: "We went up, we went down, we went sideways, but we never went backwards"
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@Steph, I can see the value of an inclusive sport played in schools, not sure about the pro level though. While my first introduction to rugby was union, I am less interested in watching a sport where half the team can’t run for the whole match because they’re too pie retentive, they generally lack the basic skill of “not dropping the ball in the pass” and significant viewing time is spent kicking the ball back and forth up the pitch, or with all the forwards in a big pile waiting for the ref to award a penalty (at random?).
I have little time to watch sports these days so only occasionally will watch union highlights. The moment I realised I was no longer interested in watching union was ~ 15 years ago when watching France in the 6 nations I figured I could pop of and quickly fettle the bike ... I never came back to the match.
That said, a GOOD union match is a thing of beauty; just for me, on average, league matches will be better than union.
Proper split allegiances today in the KR v Catalan game. If Ryan Hall has still got it KR could be in for a hell of a season. Leigh impressed yesterday, suspect this is the usual Wigan underperforming at the start of the season and the new team out to prove themselves.
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Just watching the Swinton v Oldham cup match. It's really noticeable how much like ordinary humans the players look in comparison to the Union players in the 6-nations, who have to have their kit sprayed on.
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To be fair they're semi-pros (at best).
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That'll do for me! Do you thing the Union pros actually eat the money?!
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If Ryan Hall has still got it KR could be in for a hell of a season.
He was lacklustre - at best - for Sydney Roosters last season, a shame he didn't return to the mighty Rhinos but I can see why neither party would want that.
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How's he doing his hair, these days?
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It's pretty normal looking, must have mellowed a bit with age
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I've just remembered - hairdressers (or in Ryan's case panel-beaters) are shut, aren't they? And it's usually a bit obvious when he's had an appointment!
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James Roby gets an England call-up? Isn’t he a million years old (in rl player years).
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He's 35, Cameron Smith retired from international duty at 33 and he was better...
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I see Clive Sullivan is commemorated in today's google doodle. It would have been his 78th birthday today.
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I see Clive Sullivan is commemorated in today's google doodle. It would have been his 78th birthday today.
He died so young.
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HT HKR up 16 points on Cas. Unexpected.
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Close, but no cigar. Never in doubt.
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Last round of CC. Very good indeed.
Not used to the reset rule, it makes it even faster, I like.
Not as impressed with decisions in the Cas game, felt Salford got away with slowing the ptb at a level where Cas were being penalised. Also, the two yellows... But what a finish!
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A new element re: set restart has cropped up in the NRL - deliberate repeat infringements at the start of sets to give you forwards a chance to get back onside. They're showing yellow cards like it went out of fashion...
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Have seen more yellow cards this year than usual. Not necessarily a bad thing if it results in less damage to players and is enforced evenly.
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Catalans THRASH Wigan. Even less expected than Cas-Leeds outcome.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/57275099
Prob Wigan and Cas had one eye on the CC next weekend.
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RESULT for HKR.
Also, Wigan and Sintellens losing this w/e is works in Catalans favour, so I am doubly happy.
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As a Leeds fan I always love to see Wigan and Saints losing - whether it benefits us or not...
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My FIL was a HKR fan. The system was HKR, then "anyone but Wigan or Sintellens". I understand your sentiment very well.
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Eh merde
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I was rooting for Castleford. did you find it hard to watch, with the shadow covering so much of the ground?
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Yes. I enjoyed the first half, but realised how it was going after 50 mins. It's hard as I should objectively just enjoy Sintellens playing, as they are very good and I have no reason to have any beef with them; but - anyone but Sintellens or Wigan.
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Sintellens sound like they ought to be from Belgium.
(http://legslarry.org.uk/BikeStull/coat_48.png)
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Even more reason for me to be less negative towards them.
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NZ and Oz out of the world cup next year
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/57925720
On one hand, makes sense for them not to risk it, on the other hand other Nz/Oz teams have been travelling internationally/to the UK, on the other hand the domestic league in the UK has had disruptions, how can we be sure the WC won't.
As strange as it seems, I think it makes sense to go on without them, the alternative would be waiting another 2-3 years.
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Well that'll put a massive * next to England's win
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I think the Chief Exec. (or whatever he's called)'s description of the OZ/NZ decision as cowardly was, frankly, despicable, and will appear on news quizzes and so on for years to come. You really can't have someone with such poor communication skills and so many toys and such a small pram at the top of even such an insignificant outfit as a national sporting association.
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I think the Chief Exec. (or whatever he's called)'s description of the OZ/NZ decision as cowardly was, frankly, despicable, and will appear on news quizzes and so on for years to come. You really can't have someone with such poor communication skills and so many toys and such a small pram at the top of even such an insignificant outfit as a national sporting association.
As above.
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;)
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You need to understand the context here though.
It's not true that sports players from NZ and Oz can't come to the UK, the Kiwi cricketers came over, the OZ RU players came over, they're all off to Tokyo. So it's simply not true that they are avoiding this due to COVID. (They also, like utter dickheads, waited about a week after the UK decided that they would go ahead with the tournament, and then pulled out. So they showed a massive lack of class themselves).
It's (possibly/probably) not about COVID, it's about NRL clubs not wanting to have their players go to the world cup, and using COVID as an excuse. Which is frankly despicable.
It's not just NZ and Oz that will be affected, this will hit all the PI, PNG, Cook Island teams.
If the UK want to go ahead with it, they will need to have a representative Kiwi and Australian side, made up of their import players.
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Your points may be valid - but the "cowardly" response was made to the OZ/NZ assertion that it was their players' well-being that had prompted the decision, whether or not you think that is the case. The word despicable was introduced by me to refer to the head lad's response. I still think it's fair. He should have said what he meant, if you think it was actually about something else. Apart from anything else, he is risking the health of his own players in future confrontations: suggesting Antipodeans are cowardly is unwise, I suspect! I'd be very surprised if he's still head lad by the time the next after-match banquet comes round, anyway. He looked as if he was going to burst a blood vessel on screen.
It's a colossal disappointment for the towns involved - but I suspect it'll all prove to be irrelevant because we're all going to be in serious lock-down again by then.
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“BRITAIN ent safe” they cried, less than a week after an Aussie won Wmbldn.
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I expect they were looking at the figures and graphs and reckoning it's not going to be safe come World Cup time.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/57939301
The Rugby League Players' Association (RLPA) says a number of its members wanted to travel to England for the tournament this autumn.
Australia and New Zealand withdrew on Thursday because of "player welfare and safety concerns" related to Covid-19.
RLPA chief executive Clint Newton said their decision was "disappointing".
"We have had feedback from a number of players eligible for these nations stating their intentions to compete in the tournament, pending more information becoming available in the coming weeks," he said in a statement.
"Clearly, the views of those players have not been enough to prevent this decision and we believe it has been made prematurely."
"For players representing remaining participating nations, our priority will be to help ensure appropriate health and safety measures are in place, and also provide them with the relevant information to make an informed decision about participation," he added.
"We had anticipated that players from Australia and New Zealand would have that same opportunity, which has unfortunately been taken away from them with last night's decision."
Seems the real reason is
There are also concerns about players and staff having to quarantine for 14 days on their return to Australia, with the country's borders currently closed because of the pandemic.
Those regulations would mean players would only return to their NRL clubs two weeks before trial games for the 2022 season begin.
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'luddy 'ell, Leigh won a match!
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Yes, good stuff! I may have mentioned that my wife's uncle played for Giants, when they were Fartown. In the next generation her cousin played for Leigh. There was no player welfare in the 50s and 60s, or very little, so after someone trod on his hand and bust it, that was the finish and he had to become a joiner (where you don't need hands!). They were both from west Cumberland and are the reason I look out for Leigh and Giants results. Obviously, I have to look for Hornets, too, and I really do mean to get to Spotland and watch a division 12 match again, soon! They'll be overtaken by Mayfield, soon!
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Big eyebrows raised at Salford besting FC and Wakey getting the better of Leeds. I have hopes (but would not bet on) Cas vs Wigan (who will be hurting from last week).
Important match for me is the Catalan one, reckon they will get a scare from Leigh but then roll them over - expect a Catalan score late in the first half and then they get on a roll at about 60-70 mins.
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I may have expected too much from Leigh.
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It isn't difficult, is it? Sadly.
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They've cause a few shocks in the first half and if anyone will be overconfident it would be Catalans at home.
All the clubs in the run for 5-6 place for playoffs lost. Reckon it'll be Catalans-Saint for the Grand Final and I won't hold my breath.
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I think you could be right. I suppose I'm a traditionalist in that I feel uneasy about Catalans (or Toronto) even being involved. It might be good to spread the game, I don't know, but I think of RL as being a "thing" from the North of England! Billy Boston's about as international as I want to get!
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I get where you're coming from in that there has been a history of trying to artificially seed clubs where there is no RL history (e.g. PSG, Crusaders and to some extent London) but Catalans are a really strong club with consistent backing in the French RL heartland, so pretty traditional.
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Certainly. it's just an emotional reaction. I started taking an interest as a 10 or 12 year-old in the days of Eddie Waring ("Heh, heh - earrly bath!!"), when big names were people like the Foxes and, of course, Billy Boston. I haven't actually got a valid argument against the broadening of the geographical catchment area. But I definitely agree with the argument against preferential seeding. Changing codes, I remember in (I think) the 70s when Celtic and Rangers were agitating to be allowed to join the First Division in England. The FA was, (again "I think") agreeable, so long as the Scottish teams started in the bottom division. Obviously this came to nothing and I like to think that it was because their boards recognised that they might never get out of those divisions! Nowadays, they'd effortlessly finish mid-table - in League 1!
Peter
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Celtic and Rangers should have fielded a side in both comps.
I think with changing times where sport is funded more and more by TV rights and BIG BUSINESS there's more of an argument of seeding sides. For example Wasps in RU have wandered about the country and are currently in Coventry. If the RFL was offered 10% more for a SL that included London then it's a no-brainer.
I think it was better when they had a bigger SL and then split into the super-8s with bottom 4 playing top 4 of the Championship - but I am very much an armchair fan.
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Run in for top spot
Saints-Catalan
then Saints should win the rest of their matches, Catalan should beat Huddersfield, but then have Wigan away.
Reckon if Catalans beat Saints it's a done deal, but if not they have to beat Wigan last match of the season. It's not impossible but I reckon Saints are more likely to win the next three and Catalans could bottle it in the last match of the season.
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NoFuckingWay
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/58449766
...
Now, with their clutch of ex-Wigan players, star full-back Sam Tomkins, winger Tom Davies and forwards Gil Dudson, Michael McIlorum and Joel Tomkins, they have a chance to win a first Grand Final.
Thanks for dismissing all our home players and pushing the narrative that we don't have any. :facepalm:
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Early bath..... for journalists!
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Looks like a French club will top both the SL and the Championship this year!
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Losing to Huddersfield. How embarrassing.
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;D
Well done FarTown! Actually, do you know how many to go down. If it's more than one, giants could still manage it, I think, because they've played more games already than, most.
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Nah, it's one up/one down ...
unless the promoted team don't tick the boxes (unlikely) ...
OR the RFL/SL secure massive external funding that requires a rejig for the TV and SL becomes a 10 side comp (even less likely)
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Safe for another season, then!
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Now, if anyone has an idea how the playoffs work these days…
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Everybody plays each other four times a week and whatever the result the championship is awarded to St Helens and Hornets go down another two divisions. That's what usually happens....
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I'm just guessing here but:
1st & 2nd place have a place in the semis, playing from home (relatively sure I read this somewhere).
Top 6 playoffs (I think)
So maybe 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5 for a place in the playoffs, lowest place qualifier plays 1st and highest plays 2nd.
I can't bring myself to hope, but we have beaten Sintellens twice this year ...
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Well done those Yorkshire lads! Did not expect either of those outcomes.
To be fair, though, still reckon it will be the top two in the final, hope Leeds leave Sts reeling and off the pace for the final.
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Yes, that was a bit of a turn-up!
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Leeds have won the grand final from 5th twice already, hope we can topple Saints to try and make it 3 times.
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I'd fancy our chances against Leeds more than Saints, but whoever makes the final will be on fire and it will be tough. I could see HKR tripping us up (though winning it?).
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W00t!
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Not the biggest surprise but a little disappointing.
1st Vs 2nd in the Grand Final always seems fair
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I'd have been more comfortable against [anyone that isn't Saints, especially after putting Leeds to the sword], but then HKR thrashed Wire and we did for them. I think that Saints must be narrowly favorites to win it, but I think it's 1:1 so far this year between the two sides (discounting their loss when they fielded an under strength team) so it could go either way (and we all know how Sints go to pot if they aren't having it their own way).
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Close but no cigar. League leaders and came real close, it's a result of itself I guess. Come on TO!
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Come on TO, how can there be more time on the clock???
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Close but no cigar. League leaders and came real close, it's a result of itself I guess. Come on TO!
Didn't see it, I'm afraid. But partisanship aside, I generally think it's right that the team which scores more tries wins. Otherwise we end up with the absurdity that is modern union, where players are congratulated for "winning" a penalty. I just hate that. kicks for blatant physical fouls is ok but the technical stuff is a pain and encourages cheating.
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Much the same though. I was pleased we ran them close, but 2 tries to 1 says it all.
Also, get in TO!
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;D Well done! It's odd to think that only a few seasons ago, Rochdale beat Toulouse to stay in the Championship (I think) and now TO have gained the Super League, while Hornets are likely to go down to division 12 or something! Same in the football, too!
Edit: and to give us real perspective as to our importance in the scheme of things, just typing Rochdale brings up spellchecker!!!!!!!
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Theo Fages moves from Sintellens to ... Huddersfield? Odd one that, he was approached by Catalans a couple years back and would surely have got offers from one of the top 5 clubs, so why Huddersfield?
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Probably doesn't want to get knocked out regularly.
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Bullshit VR call for Tony G there, if the ref hasn't called it, it's not a tackle, play-on. You can't reverse that call on VR and award a penalty. ???
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Much closer than the scoreline suggests. Sadly I think it’s because England are worse, not France have improved.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/59496050
May, who pleaded guilty to recording intimate images without consent in 2020
Are you such a disgraceful liability that the NRL won’t let you play? Come play for my club.
May's arrival follows the controversial signing of Israel Folau in 2020, after the former Queensland and Australia international had been released by Australian rugby union for homophobic social media posts.
Yeah, we have a track record of this sort of shit.
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All you need now is a Saudi take over bid and you'll have the set!
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Those two were just the shining stars, we have had others - we are a halfway house for antipode and who are too badly behaved for oz.
In other interesting news, Cornwall rlfc, srsly!
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It's closer than Toronto - though there is one in county Durham.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/59884125
Super League clubs are set to be ordered to forfeit matches, with their opponent given a 48-0 victory, if they are unable to fulfil a fixture because of a Covid outbreak.
Seems like a dik move to me. Was the system abused last year?
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Gutted for TO, already showing that they are a level above Leigh last year though.
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TO v Wakey tomorrow for what could well be a wooden spoon deciding match. Definitely a 4 pointer. Will dropping Escare into the the Wakey side provide the edge they need, or will he fail to fit in with only a day's notice?
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Result for Wakey and RESULT for Toulouse.
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Wtaf is going on at Leeds and Wire? Not surprising results based on how things are going atm, but why?
Also, I am pleased with the draw - we get to play Sintellens at home which is our best bet at beating them. While it is a cup match I fancy our chances against all the other teams on a neutral venue.
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Continuing my monologue ...
Looking at the SL table the top 9 out of 12 teams are good enough to win some silverware, there's only the bottom 3 who are wobbly, but Wakey have been steadily improving year on year and you reckon Salford will come good soon. I feel TO would deliver in SL if they were playing in the franchise "three year no relegation" system and I reckon so too would Fev and Leigh.
I know it weren't popular, but I think the three year franchise would be a good move in a year or two, especially if they expanded SL.
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Nice to see we're (Leeds) doing a little better since some back room changes, there're a lot of ego's in the squad, hopefully the new coach can point them in the right direction.
It's a shame TO aren't doing very well but it can't be a surprise to anyone involved, they can't move the goalposts mid-season re: relegation just because the new club are struggling though
In NRL news, Melbourne & Penrith are so dominant, it's pretty scary.
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They've had some close run matches and are just 4 points adrift. It's not a forgone conclusion.
Don't reckon they should change mid-year, my point was more that there are a number of Championship sides that could make the step up given a couple year's grace in SL. The current PR system is not very good as the promoted side has little time and money to buy a team to stay up - so are unlikely to do so. I think the last team to make it up and stay up (having previously been an established championship side as opposed to a relegated SL side) are HKR.
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2 pts. Decent show there, could see more wins in France.
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If it weren’t for disappointments I wouldn’t have any appointments. Cracking game thoughbut.
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Yes, Giants definitely "Born Under A Bad Sign". I feel sorry for the kicker. Huddersfield look like failing in their attempt to return to the money division in the football, too, (probably jinxed by the carefully staged Boris and Tory arse-licker exchange in the Palace Of Varieties on Wednesday).
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Sadly, it turned out as I feared. But courage, mes braves; the art of conversation is not dead:-
Huddersfield 0-1 Nottm Forest
Forest fans are whistling for time.
Huddersfield fans are stood, motionless.
It's like two contrasting emotions... Yes, it's BBC punditry - all is well!
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This has been shared by Wigan
https://twitter.com/WiganWarriorsRL/status/1540390150991134721
It includes a cartoonish drawing of Ben Flower punching Lance Hohaia, a punch which ended his career due to ongoing issues from concussion.
I was never keen on Wigan but that leaves a sour taste.
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1. Having been inducted into RL in the East of the Peninnies I have an "anyone but Wigan or Sintellens" attitude. Wigan't blatant cheating to stay up is till on my mind. I would love to e able to objectively enjoy the fact that they play awesome RL, but.
2. Fab French results this we, with Catalans beating evil Sintellens and TO winning - can they win two more games than Wakey now? It's not impossible with a couple of very close games under their belts maybe this could give them the confidence they need, and they are ahead of Wakey on points difference.
3. Conundrum for tomorrow, I want Wakey to lose so that TO are more likely to stay up, but I want Wigan to lose to that Catalan retain 2nd place.
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MASSIVE win by TO and an unbelievable comeback (20-4 down at half time to win 26-38)!
2 points in it at the bottom of the table and points difference well in TO's favour.
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Another massive TO win and a costly Wakey loss. Looks like both could lose their next two games, and it will all come down to score difference. How much will Cas want to relegate them on the last game of the season?
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Continuing my monologue:
World Cup and all the games are on the beeb. Lots to catch up on recording box. Will be suffering through France’s annihilation by England later today.
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Australia being Australia against Fiji & Scotland, England doing similar to Samoa after suggestions it'd be closer.
I was tempted to go to the England V Greece game at Bramall Lane, it's within walking distance but honestly the cost is too high for what will be a boring and very one-sided game.
NZ v Ireland or PNG v Wales are going to be the more interesting games for the group stages.
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NZ v Ireland or PNG v Wales are going to be the more interesting games for the group stages.
The latter yes, the former no.
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France fared better than expected and that Jamaican try!
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France still lost and conceded some soft tries. First half was worth watching and very enjoyable.
Lebanon looking good and pool D looks like the one to watch with all looking like they could progress. Would be a shame if png don’t make it past the group stages.
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a weekend of blow out score lines, hopefully the quarters are a bit more interesting
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The only games that weren't a forgone conclusion before the start of the comp were the Wales and France match, but then the results are still not surprising.
Do you reckon it would be better to order the matches differently or simply have the comp be Tri-Nations + PIs and PNG
Three WC ago they had pools with different ability groups, maybe they should have had the same format this year?
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No surprise with the Oz match, but the last time England played PNG it was the Kumuls what won it and would have expected the NZ match to be rather one sided. Tomorrow's match *should* be a cracker.
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Nailbiting!
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So, new season start and Leigh already have a win (a many as Leeds) under their belt! Is it time to start thinking of expanding and then stalling P/R for a couple years for the comp to settle and see whether they can maintain/improve standard and player levels?
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Player gets yellow then red carded for mouthing off at the ref, coach has this to say:
[On Griffin's red card] "I'm not sure what he said but I'd suggest it was with some sort of language or profanity.
"Our focus was purely on what to do next. Nothing was going to change Josh being sent off, or what he said, so I haven't investigated that.
"We have to protect our sport - I don't want it to be a sport where you can criticise referees on the field, or question them. It has to be done respectfully. We have protocols we have to follow and should be really stringent on those."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/65901868
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Superb!
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Player gets yellow then red carded for mouthing off at the ref, coach has this to say:
[On Griffin's red card] "I'm not sure what he said but I'd suggest it was with some sort of language or profanity.
"Our focus was purely on what to do next. Nothing was going to change Josh being sent off, or what he said, so I haven't investigated that.
"We have to protect our sport - I don't want it to be a sport where you can criticise referees on the field, or question them. It has to be done respectfully. We have protocols we have to follow and should be really stringent on those."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/65901868
just watching this game on catch-up, absolutely the correct decision by the ref - shame he got the head contact decision wrong
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(https://preview.redd.it/7s99j7mw9j7b1.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=4a2eda4d1cbab3b06e5311f6dcf9e4f794ecad3c)
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Seems fair enough. I wonder if Bower is a policeman during the week. His repeated use of "myself" when he means "me" would suggest so!
Edit: I think Bower is the journalist, rather than the ref - sorry. Yes, the ref is Chris Kendall.
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I dunno, with that kind of behaviour it could well be Griffin who's the rozzer :demon:
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God, you are SO cynical, D! ;D
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So, 10 points between 1st and 9th place, the promoted side sitting second, 2 points separate the bottom two - fierce derby rivals.
It's been a cracking season so far.
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The Cup results have for me grinning so hard my face hurts.
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Me, too! It's almost as shattering as the Premier League having a top four without Manchester Liverpool or Arsenal being involved.
I think I may have mentioned a while ago that my wife had an uncle (cousin, really) who played for Huddersfield Fartown which became Giants? Well, she has another uncle/cousin who played a couple of seasons for Leigh until someone trod on his hand. In those days, that was you finished, I'm afraid. Both were actually from Flimby, near Workington, which area used to provide lots of League players.
Also, I think Saints might be looking for some of their women's team to beef up their Super League side for next season! Great to see Hull KR getting some traction again.
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Terrific result for Trinity. Bit of a season, this!
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Massive 4 pointer last week, I think had Cas won they would have knocked all hope out of Wakefield. And now.a win against wire, losing DP his job in the process.
I think that was a bad move by Warrington, Powell is an excellent coach and Wire have institutional issues that need a lengthy process to change.
Will Powell return to Cas?
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Well done, Leigh! Very close match.
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best way to end a final, well played to both teams
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Wow
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I think today's Wakes Cas game will likely be the season decider for them.
The club that goes down will prob end up 2 points below
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Looks like the fat lady has sung for wakey. They have been likely to drop out for years, to me it's a surprise that they lasted this long.
Leaders will go to the wire, but I wouldn't bet against Wigan (unfortunately).
Looking at the last couple games I could see Leigh upsetting Wigan, can't see Saints dropping points and Catalans?
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Saints "edge" past the Wire 18-6, I thought it would be a tight match against Leeds... Needed that points difference, but then Wigan also crushed Cas.
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Looks like Leeds have really shit the bed >:(
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Tonight will be interesting. As a former resident of both Wigan and Leigh...
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Well, arse.
Still, figured we could have lost it. Still reckon if we don't win the gf the coach needs to go.
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I'm not sure how the table works these days, fd3! Have Giants done enough to stay up or have I got to console myself with Leigh's success in the cup?
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Only one being relegated this year.
Next year it all changes. Things like community involvement will count.
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Just wakey going down. Will make for a very strong championship next year. Would be nice if more money could go that way, but unlikely.
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Thanks, both.
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In the championship, fev are 12 points clear at the top. You would feel sorry for them if they didn't win promotion.
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Wigan v KR and Catalans v Saints.
Top 4 in the semis is not that much of a shock, home advantage should be the difference.
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Fev have gone all season losing only three matches. Unfortunately one of those was the one that counts.
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:(
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:(
:D :thumbsup:
Though I have to admit, if I were a neutral, a Catalans win would probably have been better for the game as a whole.
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:o in the championship final today.
The auld enemy is back in the SL and the BIGGEST derby in sport is back on.
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:jurek: in the championship final today.
The auld enemy is back in the SL and the BIGGEST derby in sport is back on.
Someone please translate the quote.
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London have been promoted, overturning a 14-4 half time score to win 14-18. They played 3 away fixtures in the playoffs and won the lot of them.
So London are back in superleague, re-igniting the BIGGEST derby in sport: Catalans v London, the derby de l'expansion with the two sides separated by a mere 900 miles.
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Narrow English win. Did not realise it were on the beeb (bad BBC advertising) I shall watch the match next week.
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Pasifika premier.
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Two cracking Challenge Cups matches on the Beeb.
And wtf happened in the Catalan-Huddersfield match?