It feels a little forced - "C'mon guys, this'll be just like state of origin!"

I've always been an advocate that France should have fixtures aginst Lancs and Yorks, rather than them play each other. It would be a chance for France to compete better at this stage of their redevelopment and could be used by the english lads as a trial for a full shirt.

I'd go to the HJ to see it.

Forget the SOO and just do it our own way.

Serious question - have you played rugby? When represented my county it was always a passionate game because you wanted to beat your opponents because they were from Yorkshire, Cumbria etc etc. Club games didn't have this intensity.

lol you don't think Brisbane has the pick of talent of the Q'land cup? Brisbane ar ethe Man Utd of RL, they don;t play players untalented players just to fill gaps! I wasn't that impressed early season but he has performed really well latter part of the season and unlike English centres he won't run around like a headless chuck leaving big holes when the run around play comes his way!

ps Uate didn't play in the NRL till last year at the age of 23, I guess you don't rate him as a winger either?

I played Rugby union and had a good run at it at a half decent level but didn't play county. County (or area) pride as well as club rivallry was always there throughout.

However, having witnessed the "roses" games that were run around 2002, i didn't particulary see it.

Should Lancs and Yorks have fixtires against france, I'm sure it wouldn't be long before the arguments about which county was better would come up which would build a demand for the a roses match.

I thought Raynor played well on the wing for GB personally.

I used to love playing county rugby. It just made the game more important that club games.

The war of the roses was a joke in 2002 but that only because it only featured championship players and no super league players.

When Hull played Cas 2 weeks ago a number of Hull fans near me were complaining about how Yeaman and Briscoe don't play well together and would do better split up. I'm not saying I agree, just that some fans who watch 'em most regularly don't think they're necessarily the dream pairing you seem to think...

There's very few Hull fans I know that would agree with that. Myself included.

Totally OT this Willzay, but why is there 2 Higgins in your Wakey 2012 squad.

Francis Cummins, Paul Sykes, Karl Pratt?

aawww whats the matter sweetheart?? just cos i don't watch the NRL with my old chap in my hand ripping one out over every pass,tackle or try.......when i watch the NRL and see plenty..and i mean plenty...of flaws that people like you don't see cos you think every aussie is a superman that can run,jump,tackle better than anyone and can't be beat.....


i'm glad reed has opted for england,it's strenghtend our squad, but no way should he be first choice pick just because he plays in the NRL...

i really want him picked for the france warm up game...then you'll all see just how ordinary he actually is...but nodoubt all the NRL bumboys will blame it on playing with "poor england players"

I don't think every Aussie is superman, in fact I don't think nationality has anything to do with it. Reed and Widdop are testament to the irrelevance of nationality. The NRL is just better, that's all. It's far superior to the SL and their set-up produces much better players on the whole. Has nothing to do with being Australian. You're the one who seems to have some England vs Australia chip on your shoulder, mate.

And I don't have to wait for a game against France to see Reed, I've watched every Broncos game this year.

I've seen a fair few Brisbane games this year and I really rate him. Sorry spud, we normally agree but i'll have to go against you this time mucker.

I voted yes as he's English and our centres are crap.