Give it a rest.

Great day today. Excellent crowd, excellent atmosphere, shame about the result that's all.

Well said. Yesterday was really something for the RFL to build on going towards the World Cup. Yesterday had it all, bar a better crowd which will hopefully come in future. The game and atmosphere were both great and even as it was I think the crowd was respectable and didnt look too bad on TV. A good, competitive performance from England was key going forward and we got that too. I am sure that everyone that went would want to go again after that and I am sure there was a good few at home who wished they had gone when watching it on the TV.

There has to be an international at Wembley now in every 4 Nations/tour that is staged here, like there was in the 90s. Even if we can get 50,000 at the next one then it will be good progress. It is also good to see that so many 'Southerners' went to the game. It spreads the gospel as well as the costs of attending internationals as it gives the old flatcappers one less international up North to complain about not attending. With one England match at Wembley, one in say Wigan, one in Hull and say a final in Leeds that is a good geographic spread and even if just fans from around those areas attended their local matches then all the venues should sell out...

It really isn't about the empty seats, it's about how many filled them. Would we have got the same crowd up here? No, history has shown grounds not sold out in the 'heartlands' for Eng vs. Aus encounters.

Agreed. What a day. Not enjoyed an RL event as a day out like that for a long time.

Was a great day and I said to my bro that there would still be moaners. Even at half time one guy from up north was moaning it was only half full. I explained that if we got 40,000 in then that is still a good crowd. reminded him that at Wigan two years ago we couldnt sell out vs australia.

I think the national media and london media never helped at all which is a real shame. The london press should have had a big preview of the event one day last week but their hatred for Rugby League stopped them supporting the 4 nations.

Fantastic day for the game despite the result.

the game was close and of good quality and contained controversy, vital ingredients to get any neutrals (or TV viewers) coming back. Also the Sunday papers today have far bigger write-ups than for usual RL games, and certainly far more coverage than had we played it in the heartlands.

...seriously....hatred of RL?

It's no wonder the stereotype of flat capped whippet racing pigeon fanciers is rolled out time and again....

Fact....there were about 75,000 tickets available for the games.
Fact.....every RL fan in the country knew that the games were on.
Fact...the RFL offered tickets for a tenner......and other discounts

Fact.....the reason there were more empty seats than full ones has nothing to do with the evil media.....and everything to do with apathetic RL fans.

Fantastic day RL wise! Thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

Although our return train journey (19:30 from Kings Cross) turned into a night mare as the train broke down just outside Peterborough. Whilst there was a few groups of lads getting a bit rowdy and their songs wernt really appropriate for young ears or non rugby related paying passengers.
It did appear that the buffet carriage was selfishly raided. Leaving other passengers with nothing whilst the train stood stationary.
But the lack of personnel and information from East Coast Mainline staff was beyond a joke.

After waiting for over a hour, 3 coaches eventually tuned up to take people to Doncaster or Taxis were provided for those left wanting to gotp Leeds and further a field.

Quote from Andy Wilson this morning:
gary richardson never lets you down. oh, better do rugby league, ask a few questions then move on quickly. disgraceful bbc.

Not quite. There was an interview in Friday's paper with Gareth Ellis about the upcoming match.

I now have renewed optimism about international RL. The game brought in big numbers from the south and is an excellent base to work from.

The rfl have grown the grand final into an event and I've no doubt were heading in the right direction for the world cup.

This weekend could be the day the rfl, working closely with the independent commission, stopped the rot and saved Rugby League.