Watching the games at home today as I could only get half day off work and couldnt go. Looking at the surroundings on TV it looks really bad. It barely looks as though anyone is there. I know the crowd will increase in the next half hour for England but can we really call this a success for Rugby League. If someone were to watch that who was new to the sport or wanted to get into it, it is not a good advert for the game. I really think its been a mistake and playing in a smaller stadium would have been a better a option and also created a better atmosphere as I imagine its hardly crackling at Wembley.

Not sure whether it is good editing by the TV but i'm actually pleasantly surprised by the crowd for a RL International. Closing the top 2 tiers has made all the difference. There would have been nothing worse than a scattered crowd all over the stadium.

There seems to be plenty of noise

It's a shame when the CL final sells out. We can talk about the administration not doing enough for the international game but the fans have to do their bit too.

I think you have to consider it as a growing process. Hopefully if we can have a permanent international fixture at Wembley over a number of years, we can market it on mass. Over the years awareness of the fixture should grow and hopefully that will see an increase in crowd figures as well. Looks about 40k to me there today so not a bad start, gutted I couldn't make it myself.

We have the fans to fill the stadium as proves year in year out for the CC final. For whatever reason we cannot get the interest. The RL need to look at that. The marketing of England, the marketing of the event and gradually build up. No point in booking at 80000 seater stadium and filling 30000. We may as well book a stadium to suit needs and build up to filling a national stadium for an international match. No point in doing what we have this year. We just look like a e sport. We have the young players coming through to be competitive. Create a cauldron, create the atmos, and compete on the field. Then build the crowds.

Maybe one year everyone from oop North will get off their s and get down and fill Wembley.

Indeed instead of moaning about empty seats.

Had a cracking day today. I thought the atmosphere was pretty good. It was noticable the lack of proper league fans there today. Plenty of Aussies and Union types could be bothered but supposed proper league fans would rather sit in their local pub and whine.

It's hard to market the game to league fans because the average league fan does not have that high expectations that Steve McNamara's mighty England army can give the Aussies a game.

It was an easier sell back in the days when Hanley, Schofield, Davies and Offiah were playing for Great Britain, even though people knew the Aussies were world beaters with Meninga and his mates, there was a sense of anticipation about seeing these great titans of British rugby league taking them on.

Nowadays the Aussies have the same calibre but we aren't even on the same page.

I am afraid we sat at home but having been to every game home and away apart from one and just payed for two season ticket renewals and Xmas coming up we decided to go to Hull next week when it was always going to be the decider.
It has been an expensive season if your are a Wigan fan, not complaining just a fact.

not a great idea posting a game on bonfire night which is traditionally a family night, the game is on tv and for those that work in emergency services like me is one of the busiest nights of the year. never gone get the crowds. Fans could have a great day having a few beers at home watchimg the rugby and then spend time with families for bonfire night. Another great idea by the RFL

Would we have got more than 42,000 in the north? Im not so sure, was a good crowd as far as im concerned.

I thought it was a decent turnout and looked okay on TV. I think internationals being back at Wembley has been great for the game and has created a lot more buzz and publicity than normal. A good performance from England only added to the occasion and the RFL must build on this by having at least one international at Wembley in future when Australia come across, like the early 90s.

Its a start and we need to keep the international RL momentum rolling. Keep the games coming and the crowds will grow imo. We need to keep our good young players like Sam Tomkins though. The guy is just awesome.

Mate that post isn't aimed at people like yourself.

People sat pi*sing 70-80 quid up the wall in the pub whilst moaning about the attendance are the ones that let the game today down and the tournament in general.

I was the original poster and hope it wasnt aimed at me. I work in the emergency services and its one of out busiest times of the year bonfire night. I couldnt get leave. But wembley looked poor tonight. Its not about individuals bitching and moaning its about getting the majority interested and willing to go which i dont think will happen at wembley.