No they haven't won the last 6 WCC games. They've won the last 3, which is frustrating enough although one of those was a measly 4 point win over Leeds.



I'd suggest you look up what the phrase "pot and kettle" means before you use it again.

But anyway, hoping for a win but predicting a probable defeat against the NRL champions when almost half your first team's missing isn't an excuse and if said NRL team came over with that many players out they've be accused of not taking the game seriously, by you and Wiliam "stuck in the past" Eve to name but two. If Leeds had their first choice 17 out and beat a NQL team missing 7+ first choice players you and that sad old troll would be the first ones on here belittling the win.



I think you're getting confused, unless you're now claiming the 4N doesn't matter?
Unlike you I see some pleasure in seeing a sportsman that is right at the very pinnacle of the game - if Lionel Messi was playing against Leeds Utd - unlikely I know - I would go and watch and I have no interest in soccer whatsoever. Great players are what sport is about, its what creates interest and drives participation - ignore their importance but I would say you are wrong to do so. Much rather admire a truly great player than get excited about one that is a pale imitation of the real deal.'"

Sad, bitter old man in harking back to the "good old days" when "I were a lad" and "everything was better" - SHOCK.

You're a walking, talking cliche William. The game's moved on, if you don't like it then go find yourself a new hobby but please do us a favour and stfu. Go get yourself an allotment or something... I hear they're popular with the old folks.

I agree with some of what William says and disagree with other bits. But it wasn't SL that ruined the sport. It was the 15-20 years prior to it that nearly killed the sport and something that we're still recovering from.

"Rounded view" coming from somebody going to watch one or two players in what is TEAM sport. I go to watch TEAM performances not individuals. Yes afterwards we can highlight and praise the things a certain player did but it's a TEAM sport for me when I watch it.



I go to plenty thanks, maybe you go to more games than me but maybe that's because you've got so little else going on in your life that allows you the freedom to go
You attend so few games I would be embarrassed to call myself a RL supporter - so don't try and demean those of us who spend our hard earned on supporting the team home and away despite the opportunity cost of doing so!!

In a game there are a few bits of individual brilliance - that is what you remember about a game - what do you remember from watching the Saints semi on TV - I bet it was Sinfield's 40/20 that is why we keep going to games - small nuances of individual brilliance!!

I am sure you have watched the last two WCS games on the TV as you will the game tomorrow - one thing even you should have noticed is the best players in the key positions seldom ever get to SL - have any of the starting 1.6.7.9.13 of Brisbane, Roosters or NQ ever played in SL?

No one is suggesting the SL clubs are rubbish - but even Stevie Wonder can see - there is a significant gap in standard between the NRL and SL - about 30 points if the last two games are anything to go by - the fact you fail to acknowledge that says much about your understanding of the game.

William is a great supporter of the amateur game - it has many faults but without it you would not have the likes of Sinfield, McGuire and Peacock - just think how much better they would be if the amateur game had the resources and support its enthusiasm deserves. William recognises how hard these clubs work so he attends a host of amateur games - pity you haven't got enough about you to do likewise. Not much chance given you can be bothered to attend the games of a team you claim to support so passionately

Ferguson has spent more of his career at FB than he has at Centre indeed he only switched to Centre when he joined the Chooks because they had Minichello then RTS playing there.

I really don't agree with all this rubbish on the amateur game, and the Aussies youngsters are better than ours. Yes, there is coaches that win at all costs rather than development, but that happens at Super League too.

We match the Aussies all the way with lads up to 16. We have quality players in this country, and a lot of those amateur coaches put a lot of hard work in to aid that development. Where we lose it big style is the development of players once signed pro with clubs, 16-19. For some reason that quality is often coached out of them, and instead they are played in unfamiliar roles and have to work to a robotic system.

Some come out of this still with their natural quality intact. We still have these players in super league, we have plenty. Plenty of Super League players could walk into NRL sides given the opportunity, but as a percentage of players in the game that isn't anywhere close to how many NRL players would walk into our sides. But Super League is a far better competition than given credit for at times. We will just always have those average players making up the numbers, and it is those average ones where we are behind the Aussies.

Said it plenty of times, over the last decade Leeds have had plenty of average players, but also quality players, and we have been lucky that those average players have managed to get a performance out to work with the quality. That doesn't always happen.

Some fair points Gotcha - Having had personal experience of two boys going through the amateur system - one at Lock Lane and one at Kippax the quality of coaching can be very patchy. The commitment of amateur coaches should not be questioned but how do you focus on skill development and retain interest if the team never wins a game?

Clubs like Stunningly and Oulton seem to strike a very good balance between participation and excellence. Maybe AG is correct and the RFL should be in charge of development between the ages of 16-19 and only at that point are the players released to the clubs? That way you stop clubs developing players in a certain way to suit the needs of the club rather than player development.

To beat the Aussies we need a core of 10 high quality players in that 10 we must top players at 1,3,4,6,7 and 9 and this is where we struggle - Bateman at centre at international level isn't going to scare anyone.

Apologies for being a bit spammy but it's too long for a forum post even by my (or Printer's) standards.

There's a piece on the four keys to a Rhinos win tonight up on my blog, see link in signature.

As you were...

FFS! I just caught a bit of Monkey Life on TV too! Primates chucking sh.. at each other.
Stop bitching!
We need to look toward the RFL and it's inept management of the game, the lack of nurturing of young talent, the patchy skills focus for youngsters, the choke-hold on fresh money and ideas, the salary cap, the disrespect to the game via incompetent refs being held up as 'top flight', the laughable level of presentation via Sky - EH, MS , and the standard of coaching - does anyone really think that we have a full complement of top coaches in SL? We do have some world class players who must be sick to death of being put down, running into brick walls more often than the oncoming opposition. I fell in love with this game late, having grown up on soccer. What I love about this game is the athleticism, the skills, the teamwork, the passion and the heart. As I said earlier we are not on a level playing field in some of these areas BUT in some we sure are! We can aim higher. The lead should come from the top. IMO the Rhinos are the closest to being able to compete - everything about the club is worthy of respect from the financial management to the Foundation, to the team ethos, to the work ethic, to the involvement in schools, the interaction between players and the community, the focus on skills development for youngsters across the city and beyond,etc etc...
I hope we can compete tonight too. I know one thing for sure - the team will take to the pitch determined to do their best, despite the injuries, despite the previous cynicism, despite the constant hurdles put in the way of British clubs. If they pull it off great. If not then it will not be the end of the world or the WCC, but let it be the final kick up the backside of the RFL, which needs a wholesale change to progress, and can lead eventually to a more level playing field. Here's to a win!

Isnt that simply going to keep more young 15/16/17 year olds playing at a lower level, in poorer facilities, with poorer coaching for longer?

And how does 8 academies fit to 12 (realistically for this system to work 24) sides? An independent development system seems incompatible with this system in my opinion.

i dont think that our problem stems from a lack of commitment or will to learn from 15/16/17 year old kids.