Although the RFU's wheeze in deliberately scheduling an England WC match in Manchester in a pathetic attempt to devalue the GF is probably the perfect illustration of the attitudes that are entrenched in that organisation and the perfect answer to RU trolls who say RL types are paranoid and make it all up. Much is deliberately done to try to harm RL, and even resorting to blaming the miserable failure of their national team on RL converts and coaches. Sam in particular didn't deserve the Unionite bagging he got (especally as they were winning and defending well until they took Sam off).

What is actually quite amusing is that I firmly believe that they deliberately played the game in Manchester so that if they won the tournament they could not have been accused of "only winning because they played every game at Twickenham" like they often say about the Football boys, at Wembley, in 1966.

So whilst they faced Fiji, Australia and Wales at Twickkers, I reckon they arranged to leave their home comforts only to face the group whipping boys.

Just a shame it was all over by then......

There is a "Stigma" surrounding RL and this has to be changed. The reinforcing at every opportunity that RL is a working class sport and generally watched by such an audience is debilitating. Only the other week, a women was speaking on the radio about the economy and I quote said " The working class of the North" as if that is all that makes up a region.

RU already had bases to grow, because RU was a travelling show and embedded through the Empire.

The RFL is entrusted to make the correct strategical and political moves to develop the game with limited finances. Clubs have financial constraints I understand that but RU have been there too.

The RFL and clubs "Together have to be smarter".

To Edit:- Sky could employ a smarter and more technical panel to cover games (Sorry Stevo and the other fella your great guys really

)

As a side note ITV were better at covering a Rugby World cup than the sp coverage we got of the BBC.

The Rugby Union World Cup is a flagship event for ITV Sport and as host broadcaster they've had to pull their finger out. That said the BBC attitude to rugby league is appalling at network level and their Challenge Cup coverage gets weaker by the year. It seems odd that they treat it so shabbily given that the audience return is usually good for RL on terrestrial TV. Given that the BBC's portfolio of sports coverage is a dwindling one you'd think that they'd throw the kitchen sink at what remains.

FWIW, this was sent to people who bought tickets for the RUWC at the Olympic Stadium:



Doubt it was the RFU directly, and initially thought the RFL had bought the mailing list, but judging by the links at the bottom it's whatever third party company was doing the RUWC ticket sales.

^
That's interesting

No argument against any prior posts really...

But I feel quite upbeat at the moment - despite the RFL being absolutely useless - I think the sheer quality of our game is gaining growth in recognition.

Every day brings a Sam Burgess mention and a twitter rush - and every time he is talked about - so is Rugby League.

RL gets mentioned on Radio 2 via Simon Mayo and this morning Sean O'Loughlin was on the Chris Evans show.

Ticket sales for the internationals are healthy, the product has once again delivered (so far) and there is a passion in the crowd for our national team.
(I know it didn't come over on TV - but I was there and it was great to see and be part of)

And finally, I think its dawning on some (but never admitted in public) - that the Sam Burgess story so far proves that;

The level and intensity that Sam played at with Rabbitohs was far above the levels he needed to drop to for England RU.

In other words - he had to go backwards - and thats just not Sam.

While the media, Inverdale and their ilk had a field day - I think they have made themselves look s.

Unlike some other failed moves to RU, Sam's abilities have been well and articulately documented by Russell Crowe - plain for all to see.

You could watch RU for 10 years and not see the likes!

And now Slammin Sam heads back to Sydney - Rugby League is all over the news headlines today - could he be playing against the Kiwis on Saturday?

Radio 2 are leading with this story right now..

Well that's not a surprise. His Autobiography will make good reading when he brings it out.

"Homesick". FFS.

Diplomatic though

Why didn't he sign for us. What has Sydney got over Bradford..........................Er, maybe not!