Farcical

Hoping our players came through this match unscathed, that would be the only positive from what can only be described as a catastrophic shambles. As a UK rugby league supporter I'm struggling to remember a lower point for the sport.

Agreed. Also the game(s) only being made available via Our League which (for me) the feed keeping on dropping out added to the chaos. I probably only managed to view 15-20 mins of the first half and none of the second. For a service being provided by the uk RL governing body, this was very poor, and not an advert to encourage subscription to the channel, not withstanding the negative impact to the sport's image. Marketing and promotion of the event absolutely amateurish. If the RL wish to push the site, then they need to ensure that the system can handle the demand.

I fear it would take a monumental effort to get International RL back to where it was (which in itself was only ever average compared to RU anyway).

We desperately need an end of season test series against the Kangaroos. Played in the heartlands to ensure decent attendances: Etihad, DW and Elland Road.

We had a 25k attendance against Penrith arranged over a few months so the appetite for RL is obviously still there. Tour details home and abroad, dates and venues need to be set in stone 5-10 years in advance, with tickets sales 12 months in advance.

I can't believe we had better organisation in 1982 when the Invincibles came over and blitzed us. Subsequent tours and tournaments (86 tour, 90s World Cups) were incredible compared to today.

The lack of long term planning is criminal and ultimately much of it comes down to the whole sport being in a choke hold by the NRL. They call the shots on what can and cannot go ahead. We're meant to be going on an Ashes tour at the end of 2025 and if they want that to be a success and for people to travel from over here, the dates and venues should be set in stone. It isn't a cheap trip and people will need to plan ahead but they'll likely not get that opportunity. I wouldn't bank on it even going ahead tbh, as the NRL is likely to throw out their 'duty of care' line. That's the same league who will let players play Origin on a Wednesday night and then turn out for their clubs on a Friday night. They will then say lads cannot play in a WCC fixture because they've not had the minimum number of months off. They're a joke and I hold zero hope that International Rugby League has a chance of thriving going forward due to the money in the NRL.

to compound the problem further, the Tongan, Samoan players are all being pulled into the NRL mindset (being told they cant play)

it should be an honour / privilege for Pacific Ocean sides to tour to GB, but given that Tonga have declined this year, and we've squeezed a 2 match series in with Samoa, just shows who is running the show

i like to watch test cricket and they have such a well defined cricket calendar. I can see now up the the ashes tour in 2027/8 so know exactly when or where they are playing for the next few years. we are winging a schedule if someone remembers about it i.e. i know lets play France and then let see if we can get someone to come over here and play us in a post season test series

rugby union can manage the autumn internationals, 6 nations and then summer tours / world cups, but again a well defined international calendar

Just bouncing this one to check poster's views now. Smith more important than French?

Bounce it all you want,I know he hasn't played his best but he still is very important and his kicking is still very good.
He also needs someone like French to take the pressure off him regarding controlling the game etc (Hampshire doesn't).
I also feel kind of privileged that you have decided to bring a post I did (others agreed) for your 7th post over 16 years,I await your reply in 2 yrs time,hopefully Harry is playing better by then.

In how we play the game, yes. In terms of individual brilliance, no.

I would have thought that was self evident and hasn't changed since this post was first made so I'm not seeing why you felt the need to "bounce it"? Did you believe you were somehow being clever and proving some point?

So you would choose Smith and Farrimond over French and Farrimond if you had a choice to make?

No, I'd choose Smith and French. As would Matty Peet.

I agree, but that isn't what I was quoting.

You said Smith was more important than French - So if you had a choice, you would choose Smith over French?

No I didn't. I said he "was more important to the way we play" which he is. Matt Peet says the same thing.

Your questions are nonsense. You're asking if I would choose French/Farrimiond over Smith/Farrimiond. Of course I'd choose the former as Farrimiond is a more natural 7 so that has a far better balance than playing 2 scrum halves.You're asking if I would choose Smith over French. No, because French is the best player in the league. Neither of those questions has any relevance to the statement I made.

If you want something relevant to the statement I made, ask yourself these three questionsway we play?

Nowhere have I said Smith is the better player. He isn't. The two are not the same thing.

I think Peet has adapted Wigan's play to suit Smith's skills and limitations - dominant field position followed by Smith's high bombs. Also he has developed French from an erratic FB into a brilliant stand off (no doubt aided by Tommy L). He has far more options with Farrimond - a SH who can actually run, pass and support breaks. It's time to offload Smith to Saints on a 3 year deal.