That Wigan team was a great team, but the fact that they didn't operate in a salary cap era has to count against them. For Leeds to have been as consistent as they have in the last 7/8 years in a salary cap era (and without any breaches) is astonishing.

Yes, this Leeds side has proved itself an impressive one in the salary-capped, play off era, but I was answering the initial question of this thread and this Leeds side (and any other in this era), would not have stopped that Wigan side.....Admittedly, that Wigan side would have smashed any salary cap, but that was not the point of the question???

The Wigan side was unbelievable and a real watershed for our sport. However, the level playing field we now have under the salary cap must be taken into account if we're going to do a theoretical comparison of the two sides. They were legendary Wigan teams but they were full time professionals playing part timers, apart from Leeds who were professional in name only in those later years

.

Having said that, Wigan's WCC in Aus is still a remarkable feat yet to be bettered. Leeds have offered to play the game in Australia the last few years but for various reasons, the Aussies aren't interested. As a Leeds fan I'd love us to tale them on down under.

You really cannot fairly compare teams from different eras. Take the great Wigan team, the would get smashed by todays Leeds team, due to advances in sport science even over that relatively short time, but they were a great team. The game is one of skill and physical prowess and any comparison of eras can only look at half the game (skill) as the more modern era will win the physical comparison every time.

Leeds are clearly the greatest of the current era and like all great teams their mental resolve is outstanding

When was there a realistic offer made to Australian clubs?

This is a Leeds Myth as I can not see any press where Australian Clubs have been offered the game and turned it down.
If Leeds offered to play the Storm three weeks into the NRL season on their Bye weekend, the draw has not been made yet the NRL could schedule the Storms Bye early to accommodate Leeds.
Why wouldn't the Storm accept?
Craig Bellamy was very vocal a couple of years ago about this matter and wanted to host the game but said there was no offer by Leeds to do so.

Quote Buggo="Buggo" When was there a realistic offer made to Australian clubs? This is a Leeds Myth as I can not see any press where Australian Clubs have been offered the game and turned it down. If Leeds offered to play the Storm three weeks into the NRL season on a Wednesday night I am sure they would accept.'" ""For next year the plan was to play it in England but it could be subject to change if the NRL wish to stage it. We're ready to go and have always been ready to go. The ball is very much in their court." www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... an-England

Quote Buggo="Buggo" When was there a realistic offer made to Australian clubs? This is a Leeds Myth as I can not see any press where Australian Clubs have been offered the game and turned it down. If Leeds offered to play the Storm three weeks into the NRL season on a Wednesday night I am sure they would accept.'" ""For next year the plan was to play it in England but it could be subject to change if the NRL wish to stage it. We're ready to go and have always been ready to go. The ball is very much in their court." www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... an-England

Quote christopher="christopher"""For next year the plan was to play it in England but it could be subject to change if the NRL wish to stage it. We're ready to go and have always been ready to go. The ball is very much in their court." www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... an-England'" That is a statement to the media, the same as he has said on the pitch after winning the league title. That is not an official offer or discussion, its talking crap in the heat of the moment, when its known it will not be played in Oz. I believe that the game was decided to be played in England some months ago regardless of "offers" Why is it not played alternately? Because its a SL vehicle to be played at a time that suits the SL Club at their venue and with everything in the English Clubs favour, its not complicated.

Quote christopher="christopher"""For next year the plan was to play it in England but it could be subject to change if the NRL wish to stage it. We're ready to go and have always been ready to go. The ball is very much in their court." www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... an-England'" That is a statement to the media, the same as he has said on the pitch after winning the league title. That is not an official offer or discussion, its talking crap in the heat of the moment, when its known it will not be played in Oz. I believe that the game was decided to be played in England some months ago regardless of "offers" Why is it not played alternately? Because its a SL vehicle to be played at a time that suits the SL Club at their venue and with everything in the English Clubs favour, its not complicated.

You've been given a direct quote from the Leeds CEO that says "We're ready to go and have always been ready to go. The ball is very much in their court"

Aside from your asinine ramblings do you have any direct quotes to refute his clear intentions? Perhaps something to substantiate the made up quotes you've attributed to Bellamy?

FWIW, the Aussies are not interested in staging it because it wouldn't garner the same interest or make the same amount of money down under. Fair enough, but don't dress that up as Leeds being unwilling to play it down under. Leeds have shown willingness to do so.

On a tangent, maybe it's always over here after the trouble Wigan had getting money out of Brisbane following their historic win?

[url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/sea-eagles-push-for-world-club-challenge-20111009-1lfxk.html#ixzz1aMa67oGsLeeds owner Gary Hetherington has expressed a desire to play in Australia[/url
This was after the 2011 GF and the build up to the 2012 WCC.

[url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/rugby_league/3953140/.htmlThe Rhinos were hoping to play the challenge in Australia but there was not enough time to set it up.[/url

To a certain extent, I disagree with this theory.....I agree there is more professionalism in today's game, due to all clubs being full time, but to suggest that Leeds would smash that Wigan team is an absolute joke - It would more likely be the other way around.

The main difference between the eras is that nowadays there isn't as much of gap between top players and those at the bottom end of the quality scale - Pre Super League, there were many great players who would definitely hack it at today's level, but there was also plenty of very mediocre players who wouldn't last 10 minutes in today's game....What made Wigan so special is that nearly all their side were at the top end of the quality scale.

If you really think today's game is that much better than that early 90's era, just compare the GB/England sides from then and now - Its embarrassing how poor we are now compared to then, seing as Super League was supposed to improve the standard of our game, because that GB team of old would tear the present bunch a new bumhole....

They wouldnt, there were some god awful players around late 80's early 90's. Its easy to look like a world beater when you are playing against a panel beater.