I'm looking forward to it too and agree that it is a good occasion. Just that IMO it would be a better occassion if the cons didn't have any excuses.

You pay for tickets to see the 2 of the best sides in the world battle it out, but in reality you don't often get that (yes I know, you sometimes get Saints instead ). I just get the feeling that when British players miss it it's through genuine injury but I'm not sure the same can be said of our ocker friends in a lot of cases.

Anyway, hope you have a top night, it's a big crowd and you smash Slater around the field. I'll be heading to Quins at the weekend to have a look at Melbourne, especially Widdop.

Given the option of coming over in the 1st place they would choose no. It's as simple as. The club gets money to come over though so they accept it. As I said when they are on the field they will go to win but if they lose the friendly then they aren't overly bothered.

Aussies aren't bothered about losing?

Do you know [iany[/i Aussies?

As half my family are Australian and im over every year then yes, I do

And I know that they like to win if its something thats worth winning. If it messes up their prep for the new season then they really arent too bothered. Especially if its just for a glorified trial game. Bellamy said something recently along the lines of...

"Because of the WCC we wont be having any trials so its important for us to use it to get some game time before the NRL starts."

Yep, a trial... thats all it is.

Which of course is your words not those of the Melbourne coach.

So you think its a valued part of the rugby league callendar in its current format? And the bottom are my words. The stuff in the speech marks are his give or take an "and" or an "or" here or there.

If they are not that bothered about it why turn up. The $? surly flying half away around around the world, risking injury to key players, for a comp they are not bothered about is a total do not go no brainer for me, unless they did actually want to win it. Or do they come for the off season holiday?

The money the club get is why they decide to come over. Would you want to fly halfway around the world a week before your season starts distrupting your whole preseason unless you were getting enough cash to make it worth your while? Imagine how much worse Leeds would have been at the start of this year if they landed back into England a few days before the 1st league game.

Sorry can't believe the cash is that significant for a no nothing pre season friendly for you guys, in a country where league is the 2nd biggest sport.

I personally am as English as you Storm mentor Craig Bellamy lamented the long-haul travel and the timing of the annual clash between the hemisphere's best club sides, fearful of the affect it could have on his team's start to the NRL season. Bellamy described himself as a "broken record" but again called for the match to be played two weeks after the Australian grand final, so the champion line-up played in the match.[/i

Cant argue with him really. Both teams at a peak playing wise and the GF squads smashing each other. Id get behind that concept.

One problem with Bellamy's idea is that I suspect half of both squads would have been on the lash for a week and a half before the game. Plus there'd inevitably be injuries to some players from the GFs. You'll never be able to have a game where everyone was agreed on the validity.

Currently timing is the only issue to me in terms of 'validity' - I'd like to see it a game or two into the NRL season - but regardless I enjoy the games. Anyone who enjoys watching class players ought to be very excited if they play Inglis and Slater. Sadly I doubt they'll play both.

Have those two got on the plane yet? Or is that later today. Maybe Inglis might have another surfi.. Sorry, training injury

anyway as I said I do enjoy watching the players play. I just think as a concept the WCC stinks. Too lop sided in Leeds favor and that's even before they announce the team. It'll be a shame if Slater and Inglis don't make it though. Added to Cronk that's 3 Players who would walk into any team (Thurston apart). Might just slide the tie in Leeds favour

Well it seems that despite what you've said Bellamy disagrees with you. His only issue is a timing issue.

Heard a rumour today that we could be seeing a return of the Klown for the World Club Challenge, I hope not! Personally hope that it is a english referee this season, as they had their referee last year.