Quote: Cruncher "It just makes me think even more that we desperately need a Test series against Australia.
Don't get me wrong, the emergence of the South Seas nations as major competitors in the sport is very encouraging, but all those years ago, when we casually consigned the GB v Aus Test series to history, we really didn't understand what we were doing. Those fixtures were unmatched for passion and excitement. The Aussie tours of GB were an amazing experience. I remember walking down to Central Park for Test matches, and the atmosphere was electric, with cars backed all the way up to the motorway. It was the pinnacle of our international experience.
And now it's gone. Frittered away. It's talked off as if it was something quaint, which could only happen in an earlier era.
Needless to say, Union made no such error. They don't have a domestic game worth a dime, but their international contests are worth millions. No wonder they keep hammering them out.
I know there are forces beyond the British game's control here. Not least, the Aussies' ongoing intransigent disinterest in the RL futures of rival countries, but I still can't understand how we let these fixtures go. Games against Tonga and Samoa, and even New Zealand, can sometimes rise to the occasion, but it was GB v Aus that used to fill our stadia to the rafters. It also, in those games when we ran them close, gave us some truly exhilarating RL action.
I don't think it would be true to say there was much of that on show today.'"
Conditions were diabolical for good RL today tbf and England handled them defensively really well.
Also, I don't know if I'm misunderstanding you on your point about the Ashes, but we've got an Ashes tour to look forward to in 2025, haven't we? it may not be GB but imo It'll still be good to have a crack at them. The World Cup is the year after, then after that New Zealand and the Kangaroos will head over here to play England in 2027 and 2028.
Anyway, playing Tonga beats playing France any day of the week.