As a new fan of rugby league i was wondering how important the WCC is. Do the fans of the English side view it as a 'major' trophy like the Challenge Cup or is it more like the Charity Shield in soccer which is basically a friendly without too much meaning?

I am considering getting a ticket as i'd love to see the top sides from Super league and NRL, does this match genearlly get a good attendance?

It will get a decent crowd and is well worth attending.
As for how important it is, this all depends on who wins it. If the English team win, then it's a nothing trophy according to the Australians, but if Manly were to win, then all the pent up frustration Australians have felt since they choked in the world cup final will come flooding to the surface with much crowing about how crap the english are.
HTH

Good Shout.
When the Aussie wind up merchants and some in the media say it means nothing to the team involved they're talking bull. However the Aussie teams don't have the best preparation and of course being on the other side of the world it is stacked a bit towards the English side.

Get along to the game, it will be a cracker of a match regardless. Almost always is.

Cheers, i'm gonna get a ticket. There's 4 of us going who haven't been to a rugby league game yet so hopefully it'll be a good one!

Why on earth are Manly putting a rookie side out in a WARM UP GAME?

Surely the idea for a warm up game is to... er... warm your players up for the biggie?

Yes, more of a charity shield game, yes. We keep stuffing the Aussie sides, so I think it's more of a cup final for them, really. Bless.

If you feel that way, why not hold the game in Australia?

Sorry, you don't like the possibility of being beaten on your own midding, do you?

...at least the Sea Eagles had no problems with Visa applications .......seems that no one has a 'police/crim. record at the Club these days......

i got my thread on this early (2 months ago)

this game is a feel good event to give SL credibility and make up for embarasment on the international stage

You really think that SL is that much better than the NRL that the best the NRL has to offer doesn't stand a chance in this game? Interesting.

It can't simultaneously be a feel good event for SL and make up for Australia's embarrassment at the World Cup.

At the end of the day, Leeds Rhinos are world club champions, and New Zealand are world champions. The rest is just .

Seriously though, if the NRL is SO SO SO much better than SL is, the NRL team would win every time.

Leeds could go six months without a game and still put sixty past any NL1 club, so all the Aussies excuses are pretty embarrassing. Especially considering they are over here training for so long.