Quote: Cruncher "The Aussies' attitude to the WCC is always an issue. There's a degree of defensiveness in it, I suspect. It's like they always get their excuses in early in case they lose. But it hardly helps if the English clubs and their fans take the same approach.
In an age when we're trying to promote the game internationally, the WCC should be a great fixture. Despite the Aussies always claiming they didn't take it seriously, there have been more great games than duds when that fixture has been played.
But much as I revile the attitude that "our domestic season is more important", there's no point in it if neither are going to try very hard.
I'm proud that Wigan at least have always done their best to make this fixture a big event.
And on that subject, no team can claim that it's the best in a generation unless it has tested itself against the other contender for that title. In 1994, that invincible Wigan team proved beyond question that it was THE BEST by beating the all-conquering Brisbane in their own backyard, in front of 50,000 people. I'm surprised, frankly, that Saints would happily miss this opportunity to put themselves on the same 'legends' shelf.'"
Unfortunately for Saints though, Penrith have already made their intentions public and there is no chance this is the game what will put this St Helens team into the legendary bracket. You could argue they *ugh* already are after winning 4 Super League titles on the bounce. The advertising posters are giving me a chuckle, no chance the players featured on them for Penrith will play in the game.
I do feel sorry for Saints, i really hope they aren't out of pocket for this trip or they have convinced Penrith to play something that at least resembles their strongest team otherwise it is a wasted trip really. Hopefully Illawarra put out out a full strength team and that game is telivised so there is a decent game comes out of the trip with a bit of respect shown to the Super League.