Even if we get thrashed by the Aussie sides, it has to happen every year just to provide realism through the spin.

The reasons why we lose are as obvious as they are unpalatable to some, and we wont address those ussues because vested interests within the game push their own priorities and that goes for the top, middle and bottom of the game.

The fact is that the game in this country has been convinced that because the top clubs are so much better than the middle and lower SL sides, and light years better than championship sides that they are well run, fact is they arent. They are average made to look brilliant by being surrounded by dross.

The other fact is, we arent ever trying to address those issues. This season we will have fewer academies than last, and last year we had fewer than before.

Since 2013 we have upped the quota and have more overseas players and fewer british players playing without upping the SC so we have simply bought in 28 year old dross because its quicker and easier than training a 20 year old up to and past that level.

Amateur participation is falling and the RFL have proven so bad at administering it that sport england money has been diverted away from them

but not to worry, leigh v hull kr in front of 4k is the silver bullet the game needs.

Our schoolboy teams regularly beat the Aussies so it's not like our kids aren't good enough. What happens to them after that is a mystery because rarely it transitions into playing regular full-time, top class super league.

Last nights heavy defeat for Wigan highlighted the gulf in class with down under once again, particularly at half back and fullback where Brisbane had too much pace and all round skills and decision making ability which successfully exploited their multi-player plays with such great effect. Currently SL seems to have a dearth of quality at halfback and great predictability in general back play. SL urgently needs an injection of class.

Often there is an age gap between the two teams.
Sometimes it our 17 year olds playing there 15-16 year olds.

Interesting. Did not know that, thanks.

Indeed. The Roosters had two untested rookies in the halves and they looked a class above anything in Super League. The difference in quality in this position is frightening, especially considering Wigan supposedly had the England half back combination out there.

The NRL has had 11 of the 16 clubs win the comp.
The NRL's star players are spread more evenly across the clubs.
The NRL has intensity of competition.

The SL tries to achieve the same competition intensity by reducing the number of clubs in order to concentrate the TV money and hence the best players across a handful.

Are all those calling for the WCS to be scrapped, the same ones who complain that we don't play the French enough? You know the ones, they regularly post comments like "how are the French ever meant to become competitive if we never play them...."

The French need help to make their National team stronger.

Although they were competitive (at times) 25-30 years ago, currently they are mils behind the English and would struggle against the south sea island teams.

For the World Club thing to work better it needs to be a mini competition and not just 3 "random" fixtures.
Whether there is space to fit this in the RL calendar, I don't know and it will be the Aussies who decide if these fixtures are important enough to make changes to their schedule/ season.
The thing made more sense when it as GF winner against GF winner and the extra game now are just glorified friendlies and a such there will always be a question mark as to their importance.

This season, we are unlucky with how poor the form of Saints and Leeds has been leading up to the fixtures although Leeds have been very unlucky with injuries and Wigan losing Micky Mac was a cruel blow.

Of course we should continue with the games but, perhaps the English clubs need to be better prepared.

Both Aussie clubs (especially as their season hasn't yet started) have looked in a different league and whilst it's disappointing for our boys to get easily beaten, it's great to se the power and strength and organisation of our Aussie cousins.

That's just not true at all.

Cowboys look well undercooked compared to Brisbane and Sydney.

Leeds doing well though, just need to keep it up and not drop off as we tend to do against them around this time!

That's a shocking forward pass call.

Silverwood doing his best to keep Leeds in this, saying that though NQ haven't been that impressive..yet!

Great first half from this young leeds side.

Fair play, Leeds have played well, but you can't help but feel that they are giving everything, while NQ have still got another couple of gears.