Quote: SEB "There certainly will be some titanic clashes. Are you too young to remember Tonga V NZ at Wilderspool in 1995? For the 8,000 people there that night, it went down as one of their most memorable matches ever. I can still remember it clearly, whearas I already have trouble recalling some bits of the season just gone. As for the final - are you forgetting that NZ are the current holders? And empty stadium? The last four finals have seen crowds of 74k, 66k, 44k and 51k. Why so negative?
As I say, some of RL's worst enemies are its own "fans". All this talk of non-contests and matches being not entertaining. Well, I refer you back to the football on Friday. 85k for an utterly unappealing match. We are supposed to love RL and be proud of our tough heroes like Paul Wood who put their bodies on the line for the game they love too. And anyone who did watch yesterday would have seen the pride in the Welsh boys singing the national anthem and the enthusiasm with which they played. Yet so many "fans" just can't be bothered.
If the core RL fans really got behind the sport, it would attract more and more casual observers and help the game grow, bringing in sponsors and better TV deals. Until they do, then the very people who moan and whinge about things being not good enough are the very ones holding RL back.'"
I certainly remember the Tonga V NZ match in 95 , that was a big year for Rugby league in NZ with the first season of the New Zealand Warriors.
That effort by Tonga is likely to be repeated. They have a side well capable of beating NZ and England with most of their stars making themselves available for the World cup this time around.
Tonga will be raging hot favorites in Pool C as NZ are in Pool B , setting up an epic clash in the quarter finals.
I'm a dyed in the Wool Kiwis supporter , I really hope Tonga get a fair go from the Reffs this time around ( that game you referred to included the dubious penalty for a win to NZ and a set of Tackles which only gave Tonga four tackles hot on attack before the Reffs called Tackle six turn over ball ),
In terms of promoting the World cup you couldn;t go too wrong promoting the video of the Doncaster School kids welcoming the Kiwis with a Haka and receiving the rare honor of the Kiwis replying with a Haka to show respect for the kids challenge.
Spine tingling stuff , best of all spontaneous , that Video has gone semi Viral in NZ rugby league circles , so little promotion of the cup in this part of the world.
Lastly I would Love England or NEw Zealand to win. Heart says NZ for obvious reasons , head says England on home soil 1) Because they are strong enough to pull it off
2) For the good of the sport.
Just be glad you don't have to play Tonga they're going to turn heads again.
Fiji are no weaklings either of course , they have a tasty looking squad / will be more than a speed bump.
