This.Balanced and not too hysterical. And that was long way away from some of the dross i watched in the 80s as a kid withan error count higher than tbe score.

I didn't say we were. I was just wondering if by your logic that in 2012 the WCC result hinted at the gap between the two competitions?

Or does the result only hint at the gap when the Aussies win?

Let me guess, the Aussies didn't try in 2012.

If you want to believe that good for you. Most if they are honest would not concur with your opinion

What is interesting is since 2008 the SL teams have won one game out of a possible 11 when pitched up against the NRL sides - if that doesn't tell you something you really are in denial

I thought we were talking about the current gap in standards between the two leagues - not distant history?

FWIW I think Manly tried as hard as Leeds did in 2009.

A factor in it being close after the opening forty was that Burrow won the coin toss and decided to play with the conditions at Leeds' backs in the first half. It was a sensible decision to use the elements and try and stay in the contest for as long as possible.

Some might say the plan eventually backfired given the second half ended 0 - 34 but at least the pretense that SL was matching it with the NRL was there briefly.

Nobody said they weren't trying - I was only challenging your assumption that the only team that would improve with Leeds fielding a stronger side would be Leeds.

Of course you could have been correct with a stronger side Leeds would have been in front - the sad thing is that actually believe that NQC would have had nothing to combat that threat!!