It would appear from my knowledge that we presently have 3 different sets of rules operating within the RL world. Those in the NRL, a different set for SL and a different set again for the world stage. Is it just me than finds this a ridiculous state of affairs? It must be confusing for the players let alone the officials.

England didn't loose last night because of the ref, fact. The Aussies looked far sharper in attack and we rarely threatened. Fair play to the Aussies. The gap in class still exists and always will until the RFL changes it's outlook but that's a debate for another thread/day. However, we shouldn't have a situation where a game between England and Austraila is being refereed by an English or Aussie official. It makes for all sorts of accusations. This is the same for any teams, not just England. What about Alibert? Some neutrality is neccesary.

Three sets or rules, games referred by a official from one of the competing countries all makes for an embarrassing situation. How can the RFL stand by and let this happen.

A definite call for one set of rules and neutral refs.

First of all I agree that there should only be one set of rules played worldwide. Not the Super League/NRL/Prison rules that we have at the moment.

Secondly, the Aussies were the better side and deserved their victory.

Mind you having seen the highlights back, the penalty try incident was a bit baffling. There's 2 clear sin binning offences. Thurston's high shot in my opinion was deliberate because it was the only way he was going to stop Hall given how good his finishing was all tournament. Secondly Luke Lewis slid in with the knees to knock the ball loose. It should have been 6 a piece and the Aussies down to 11 men. Whether it would have changed the outcome of the game, who knows.

Typical english out look on a game, even though you both state australia deserve the victory, you still point out facts implying you think england were hard done by.
I watch the international rugby league but i do not suport it because our great country seems to appoint, below average coaches, 2nd rate old players that were once amazing but now just dated and most of all the country refuses to admit that the nrl and australia and new zealand are simply better than us.

the competition should of remained 3 nations, the fourth team is a load of rubbish so england have a guaranteed one win, balls to 'the growth of rugby league globally' new zealand had a depleted team and so did australia.

and as for the ramblings on the penalty try incident, johnathan thurston sin bin definately. however luke lewis did not intend to hurt he intended to defend his try line in which i see no harm, he did not injure ryan hall he was not trying to. rugby league is a tough sport the players know this and they expect it to be tough would you rather them play touch and pass ??????????

and also yes you are correct england 13 men australia 11 then the game would have been different.................... for ten minutes, then australia would of been back to 13 and continue to show why they are the best team in the world. end of story.

You see..... You made a reasonably constructive contribution towards the debate until you added this rant on the end.

It would have been 13 against 11 and we would have been in to the realms of the hypothetical. Anything could have happened for all you or anybody else would know we could have scored another 3 tries, the momentum and dynamic of the game could have completely changed long beyong the 10 minutes they were in the sin bin. Which is why I added "who knows" at the end of my post.

As for the Luke Lewis incident, you are not allowed to defend your line by sliding in feet or knees first. Ever since there were some high profile incidents a few years ago, including a couple from Billy Slater, it has been outlawed because there is a high chance of injuring the attacking player. It is an automatic yellow card offence.

Regarding why we can't beat the Aussies, is it any wonder when we have a relatively tiny player pool compared to them. It is the most popular sport in NSW and Queensland where as in our heartland we are still dwarfed by the likes of Man Utd, Man City, Leeds Utd and Liverpool.

Hypothetical views don't win championships. Look at the Leeds rhinos, against every odd in the sport, champions once again. And that rule is one of those in the game such as the momentum rule where as if the referee or video ref see it fit to take further action than the one already carried out (in this case a penalty try). Englands rugby leagues biggest enemy now and for the past 5 years, and the reason they will not win a major title, including the mid season international with the exiles, is those sport pillocks sat in redhall rfl needs a complete revamp.

Have to agree with you on that one. I thought it would go on report at the very least. Did he even get a talking to?

So how would you revamp the RFL in order to improve our game at international level?

One simple sentence,

Look at Australia

From what I saw in the ground, after the penalty try was converted, Cecchin called Darren Lockyer over for a chat but no other players were summoned.

Haven't we been doing that for the last 30 years though? And as we move one step forward they do also, so we're the still the same distance behind.

I'd rather see us innovate rather than immitate.

One part of the problem I feel is the quality of the competition in the respective countries. In the NRL, the competition to me seems far more open with different teams challenging for honours each year. In SL it's one of 4 every year. You are right though, when we think we've closed the gap we get a rude awakening and realise it's widened if anything. I think the RFL's expansion plans do tend to work in conflict with our International aspirations.

Slight variation to questions posed but its about rules so here goes.
As most may know the Scorpions have recently signed a deal with wigan and Dave Clark is thei4 coach although paid by wigan, and i just read they have access to 5 players via dual registration is 5 the standard rule set by rfl.

Put one side the issue of feeder clubs. I am not sure on the limits.

Mr. Dominance, your comment to me seems twaddle as I do believe all the talk this year was about 2 teams and did either of them win the main prize? Just because the champions have breske crowned before did not make them an obvious choice for old trafford, your comment = no logic.