Hang on Wellsy, Starbug is claiming we should have some sort of psychic power as to these things. We should instinctively know the dates and programme because "some internationals" are played "at this time of year".

Is this the same Kiwis that have only beaten us once on these shores in 10 years? Head-to-head, I believe it's something like 9-6 in our favour. But because they can occasionally beat the Aussies, they're so far in front of us? They've beaten them four times and drawn twice in the last 10 years. Just happens that 3/4 of them wins were in finals. We've beaten them twice.

I don't understand why people are that desperate to talk us down that they will even make up facts to achieve it. We're on a fairly even keel with the Kiwis. They struggle over here and we struggle over there. Where's the World Cup again?...

If that was how it worked, the Premier League would never need to be advertised as everyone just knows that it's on. And the SL. And many other events, etc.

But of course this isn't how it works, the vast majority of people need reminding/informing, and this hasn't happened for this tournament.

Eg-bleedin-xactly. I despair at the people who defend that spectacle appearing on national TV. Are the RFL on a mission to make sure we never find a decent sponsor?

Its lunacy. We let the assets we have wither and die whilst chasing fantasy schemes which as you rightly say ( from a St. Helens fan too, must be halloween) have no evidence or research behind them.

Before any new ideas we need credible leadership who understand strategic planning and the need for ( and implemenation of ) good research. We're currently run by complete chancers.

Dont ' act ' silly Chris, the poster who stated he didnt know the game was on also claimed to be a long term RL and International RL fan, so if he has attended England International matches in the past in this country, they would have been played 2/3 weeks after the end of the regular season , he had no excuse, if he genuinely wanted to attend

As for the value of the games themselves ? Probably pointless from an England POV

Like I've hinted to you:

I am a long term fan of both domestic and international RL.

I have been to internationals. With the plural.

I didn't realise it was on. Because nobody had really hyped it. I knew that we weren't playing Australia this year, but this match completely took me by surprise because I have other things on. So I am in his boat. I don't know why you don't understand this view.

Quite possibly the RFL were ever so slightly embarassed by what was always going to be a farce of an actual ' Competition ' , not a criticism, just the way it is

What if he (or people in his party) had already made plans? The fixtures weren't announced until last month. We didn't know if they'd all be away or at home.

I had no idea this tournament had started until 4
That's the spirit.

The other problem is that well, frankly, its just not an interesting match. Its a real shame we don't have a credible northern hemisphere international game, but trying to wish one into existence won't change that, and only serves to embarrass us. Tours were far better, but I don't blame the Aussies for being fed up of the English game. The only hope I see is an extension of the WCC to something akin to a champions league, to start building credible north-south rivalry.

That's just full of pessimism though. You want northern hemisphere competition, yet you don't want us to work for it? Where is it going to spring up from?

Whinge if we do, whinge if we don't. How can you win?

But despite the fact the game was pointless and one-sided; played in front of only 4,000 people even though its on many fans' doorstep; an embarrassment to our game that no-one knew about - it was still a story on the ten o'clock radio news as I was driving back to the soft South where none of us will ever know or care about the game.
I love the game and Test football is our best hope for success in the future. I had a great time at the game despite the one sided nature. Then again I suppose as a Broncos season ticket holder I'm used to watching an under prepared team missing one on one tackles!

If they could persuade a haulage firm to put it on the side of trucks it would be worth millions in advertising. I'm suprised that Satchi and Satchi haven't hired Nigel Wood to be honest.

£5272.15p.