I do not give a monkeys who the coach is he can be from outer Mongolia for all I care what we want is to win the world cup for god sake

It would be fantastic to see England win either the World Cup or 4 Nations.
However, the international program is still a sideshow tagged on at the end of the season and rightly or wrongly, it just doesnt have the same kudos as the Grand Final.
IMO, this is down to lack of publicity and utter lack of build up within the media and for this world cup, the total apathy from the Aussie public.
I think John Kear's observation was right, when he said , that for the Aussie fans, the World Cup comes third (behind SOO and Club Rugby.
Only when the international games are elevated above all the club and SOO, will THe World Cup be the pinacle of the sport.

It would be really interesting to hear the players perspective, although, when they are allowed to change coultry every season, it really doesnt help (even though this has turned Tonga into contenders).

Country, I'll support my home team through thick and thin and would still make the 370 mile round trip the same number of times even if we were in championship 1. However even if your team is in the doldrums special games do come around every now and again, be it beating the local bin dippers on the other side of town, an unexpected win against an in form high flying side or just a bloody good match with an exciting finish.

Exciting national games and one that really gets the juices flowing are rare as rocking horse and frankly if we can shut the Australians up and the game gets national coverage in the sports section of the news even if only a minute that WC win would be worth a hell of a lot, and worth a lot to all clubs.

I love the growth of international Rugby League ... but my club is my first love... always!

You only have to hear the crowds and sense the atmosphere to tell you how bothered the fans are about internationals.
The Aussise dont really give a damn (maybe because they know they are going to win), England are apathetic (as they know that they may get second spot, if they are lucky), Kiwis, seem to just enjoy their "footie" .
The real passion has come from the fans of Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, where they know and expect their side to fight to the last whistle and it's been superb to witness this at international level.

Have to say that the Aussie fans haven't done justice to the comp (again, because they know that they will win at a canter).

There is real passion among club supporters and a sense of "duty" when turning up to internationals.

A winning team would probably change this for England, lets hope they start to click.

I hope the Aussie squad have this attitude too



Although they are favourites without doubt, I have seen better Aussie squads than this and they will have to bring their best if they are to get through NZ and England/Tonga.

Club first.
Then the game of rugby league in this country. I want the domestic competition to thrive, bigger crowds everywhere, bigger TV audiences, more media coverage, more sponsorship, more participation at all levels starting at the schools.
And if that means England's dismal record has to continue for that to happen so be it - though it would be good if they could win.

I wonder if a WC win would go a long way to achieveing these aims, I suppose we'll after to win one to find out.

A World Cup win, followed by some decent publicity would certainly help.
As it is RL is just a small northern sport that, apart from those already interested, just doesn't seem to have mass appeal and the playstation generation are killing participation in most sports. and RL is no different.

The profile of the sport has to improve or we will continue to shrink.

Prior to Superleague it would have definitely been Country, now probably club because the international game has lost its stature at the moment. We've got too many overseas players taking key pivotal positions in super league that is diluting our selection for the same pivotal roles at english international level.
Until we produce our own 2 world class half backs we will always be bridesmaids in the international scene.

I'd be hitting the ceiling if England won the World Cup, but Fax getting promotion to SL would far, far outdo that. I was at Wembley in 1987 the last time we won anything meaningful, and 30 subsequent years of following the club through thick and thin (mainly thin) means that any future success would be savoured for a long time. Any success for England would be fantastic, but relatively short-lived.