I feel it has generally been a good World CUp so far, the stadium issues already raised plague also the NRL, using telstra and allianz for games that will get 10-15K is not a sign of strength but a sign of weakness, the games should have been at Belmore etc.....

Overall the standard of play is up and I put that down to the change in qualification criteria for players, this is definately the best way forward, the pacific islands have always been strong but they just got a shot in the arm with a few extra players here and there due to the change.

The home nations have really been embarrassing, except Enlgand who are easing in I feel, Scotland last year were running it with the Kiwis but are now getting whacked by teams well below them.

Wales too, Ireland have done their best I think with what they have and France are the ever under achievers and need Toulouse to get promoted before they can start to get enough home grown players going.

Australia look unbeatable, but the world cup should not be about that, it should be about promoting the game and developing the game and nurturing the smaller nations giving them something to aspire to.

It has done that already the Port Moresby and Hamilton crowds alone.

Loving it so far. Only negatives so far for me are England's performances, the poor crowds, and the fact that Vossy isn't doing any commentary

To echo the views on the Pacific Island nations, they've made this tournament worth getting up in the morning for. I'd love to see those nations integrated more into the international calendar more so that they get more exposure to the T1 nations, because it's very enjoyable to watch.

I would have given PNG a quarter final tie whether they were playing in the game or not

The tickets at the stadium in png go for 30 PGK - which is about $10Aus - and even that is a weeks wages for some people in PNG.

Something which has frustrated me is the constant interference at the ruck and the referees inability to deal with it. We're often told that the NRL monitors this aspect of the game much better that the SL, but from what I've seen, that's simply not true.

I'm personally loving it. Been getting up early to watch the games live and have enjoyed them.

The Toa Samoa v Mate Ma'a Tonga game was the best international rugby league game I’ve ever seen and easily the best and most passionate sporting pre-game spectacle I’ve ever seen.

England were okay against Aus and dreadful against Lebanon. They are playing like Wayne Bennett’s interviews; uncomfortable to watch and boring.

Papua New Guinea have been great to watch and their fans are loving it. It's a shame their 1/4 final isn't in Port Moresby.

Then New Zealand v Tonga next week has the potential to be the game of the tournament!

Great start to the World Cup, just a shame England have been average and that the Aussie public haven't bothered turning up.

Good game but can't beat 2nd test against the Aussies in 1990. Brilliant game even though we lost. Back on topic. Ive been a bit meh about this world cup. That's possibly to do with it being down under though and I can't get to see many games because of work.

That's because they have an official on the pitch whose job it is to police the ruck in the NRL

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Agree with most of this but I wouldn’t give New Zealand top spot in group B just yet, they have to beat a very good Tongan side first. An upset is possible if Tonga can perform well and keep their discipline. It would be great for the game if Tonga pull it off. "
As the group stage ends and the quarters begin, it starts to look much, much tighter, with some really mouthwatering clashes. The quarters are looking like


Agree with most of this but I wouldn’t give New Zealand top spot in group B just yet, they have to beat a very good Tongan side first. An upset is possible if Tonga can perform well and keep their discipline. It would be great for the game if Tonga pull it off.

...it wouldn't be an upset at all. I expect Tonga to have the upper hand in the pack in this game and I would rate their chances as very good....maybe only slight underdogs, but I'd take Tonga with a 10 point start........and I think the Bookies agree.
rlhttps://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-league/world-cup/new-zealand-v-tonga/winnerrl

I like the world cup logo. it looks good on the pitch.

I really like the BBC intro with the oversized players, but the tune isn't particularly good or memorable. I like the BBC coverage though. Robbie Paul is great and it's always good to see Jonathan "and the Welshman is in" Davies. I miss the old Wembley and those 1st tests. I hope the new Wembley can become just as special when touring teams visit.

I liked watching Australia v England. For me England/GB against Australia is the best game in RL. It's what I grew up watching and I always love those matches. I hope so much that we can get to the final so that we can play them again.

I've enjoyed watching PNG. The atmosphere has been fantastic and their yellow shirts look good. I hope they can continue to develop because RL needs more genuine international teams.

Samoa v Tonga was great and I've been very impressed by New Zealand too. I'm just hoping they don't ruin things for us again if we both manage get to the SF.

I liked watching Australia v England. For me England/GB against Australia is the best game in RL. It's what I grew up watching and I always love those matches. I hope so much that we can get to the final so that we can play them again.

totally agree, we had the best international rugby of any code with the kangaroo tours and we just threw it away, i no the change to summer did not help and made the long tours a thing of the past, but shoret 3 test tours with 3-4 midweek games thrown in would be great again, the big crowd that saw leeds v NZ at Headingley in 2015 proves there is a big appetite for club v tourist games.

just think if we had a kangaroo tour next year,

Cas v Roos at weldon road sell out

Wigan v roos at Dw 20k easily sellout not unthinkable

first test Wembley 60k comfortably with good marketing a record international crowd 80k

midweek Hull fc, possibly hull combined team Kc 20+

Leeds at Headingley 20k sellout

second test Newcastle st james or Coventry sell out at covenrty 40k min at Newcastle. (scrap magic weekend from 2018 onwards)

third test Old Trafford 60-70k

i think those crowds are easily achievable in given 12 months marketing and expectation 6-7 game tour would be enough for interest but won't upset the Nrl too much.

im enjoying it, but thats because im following it closely... most of the general public wont even know its on right now! but thats with it being in oz i suppose too.

crowds are disappointing down under, shame they treat it as a third tier competition behind the origin and nrl... the world cup should always be the pinnacle. dont think they should get the comp again for a good while if they dont respect it..... think its in the usa next and maybe england again after that... the last one in england was great for crowds.

some good games so far, looking forward to the rest of the comp! hoping for an england final spot at the very least

yes!!! hope the sl take note