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.

No offence taken, just think the RFL were asking a lot for northern based fans to go, as for trying to get rugby league interest in London we all know that drum has been banging long enough.
Fair play to those who made the trip.

The post isn't directed at anyone inparticular and certainly not at people like yourself.

There are an elemant of rugby league fans though that seem to want to do the international game down whilst not realising it's them that makes the game struggle at that level.

Decent crowd today but a dire turnout from up north which is dissapointing considering there was some reasonable deals on.

Wembley was almost half full today, which is amazing given the effort people had to make to actually get there, the cost and the sure fire knowledge that the home nations wouldn't win!

I went and the atmosphere was great. It was relaxed and fun and whenever possible the crowd were behind the home nation team, bar some clumps of Aussies and Kiwis. For league in the south at an international, over 42,000 is good. Apparently that is about 2000 short of the 2000 final but is higher than the 1997 test match there.

The final touch would be for England to beat the Aussies. If that happened then a lot more people would find the time and the money to travel down there. It was a great day and I'd recommend it.

Incidentally, I was impressed by the number of southern English voices I heard today. That so many southerners came to watch can only be good news for the sport.

maybe next time lets put an incentive for all SL holders to get down there. I didnt go because of the proximity with christmas, maybe the rfl can strike some sort of deal with national rail next time we push the double header!

That would have been a bad move yesterday! www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/virgintrains/ Imagine being stuck for hours on a Euston-bound train just outside Wembley!

That would have been a bad move yesterday! www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/virgintrains/ Imagine being stuck for hours on a Euston-bound train just outside Wembley!

Amen.
Were you on the Mayfair coach (2)?