Rugby League
#61


As a Warrington fan I love Ben Thaler


I dont think that you should have 2 refs on the field. I would like SL to follow the NRL with the bunker but as you stated lack of funds is a problem for SL.
#62
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(I've no idea whether it's a hemisphere-thing or not; I expect NZ refs would be the same as Oz, and France the same as England.)
#63

It would surely confuse things if international games had two refs on the field. It seems clear to me that English refs are very hard on fumbles (whether they're knocked forward or not) and easy on forward passes, while Australian refs take the opposite line on both incidents. Have you noticed that, or is it just me?
(I've no idea whether it's a hemisphere-thing or not; I expect NZ refs would be the same as Oz, and France the same as England.)
(I've no idea whether it's a hemisphere-thing or not; I expect NZ refs would be the same as Oz, and France the same as England.)

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I've just watched a replay of Lebanon's defeat of France in the World Cup. It was probably only France's Seconds team, but still... And Lebanon has more local support than France, but still...! One of France's tries was from an obvious forward-pass, too.
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Is anybody else watching the RL World Cup? I caught the tail-end of Lebanon's defeat of France. That will teach France to field its seconds in a tournament! Lebanon, though, eh? Many of them spoke with Aussie accents, which showed where they play their footie; but I did hear the ref speak to one of them in French, telling him the tackle-number! Unfortunately, most of the games have been walkovers, which haven't been any fun to watch: USA, Scotland...
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James. I just happened to catch a glimpse of a table on Sky Sports yesterday that showed TORONTO at the top! I didn't even know Sky followed any club games outside England and Australia, but there it was! So I have to ask you: was that Canada's First division, or something less?
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James. I just happened to catch a glimpse of a table on Sky Sports yesterday that showed TORONTO at the top! I didn't even know Sky followed any club games outside England and Australia, but there it was! So I have to ask you: was that Canada's First division, or something less?
#68

James. I just happened to catch a glimpse of a table on Sky Sports yesterday that showed TORONTO at the top! I didn't even know Sky followed any club games outside England and Australia, but there it was! So I have to ask you: was that Canada's First division, or something less?
No, Gordon, that's is the Championship tier in the English league! One level below Superleague. The Toronto Wolfpack are the first professional transatlantic sports team, i.e. based in North America but playing in an English league. With a bit of luck and some hard work they'll be playing the likes of Wigan & St Helens in the next couple of years.
I've just taken another season ticket for the Wolfpack and despite having only played one home game they look on course to be in the Super League next year.
It'll be interesting to see what happens to ticket prices at that point as they were given a chastening defeat by Warrington in the Challenge Cup last weekend so will need to really upgrade the squad to keep winning.
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Well, gosh! I couldn't be more delighted to know that a Canadian club is playing in the English League. Excuse my ignorance! Sky-USA is very lax in scheduling RL matches, from England and Australia, and they only do the Premier Division of each; so I catch the matches only when I'm lucky.
I have to say I prefer to watch the NRL games - a noticeably higher standard, I think; and the players are fitter and faster. But the worst RL game is better than the best RU game, so I shouldn't grumble!
I have to say I prefer to watch the NRL games - a noticeably higher standard, I think; and the players are fitter and faster. But the worst RL game is better than the best RU game, so I shouldn't grumble!
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I've just now been watching Toronto playing Leigh, on Sky Sports. A dreadfully scrappy game, I have to say; TO's defending has been poor - certainly not up to the standard I would expect from the Championship leaders!
#71

Yup! What Turtle said!
I've just taken another season ticket for the Wolfpack and despite having only played one home game they look on course to be in the Super League next year.
It'll be interesting to see what happens to ticket prices at that point as they were given a chastening defeat by Warrington in the Challenge Cup last weekend so will need to really upgrade the squad to keep winning.
I've just taken another season ticket for the Wolfpack and despite having only played one home game they look on course to be in the Super League next year.
It'll be interesting to see what happens to ticket prices at that point as they were given a chastening defeat by Warrington in the Challenge Cup last weekend so will need to really upgrade the squad to keep winning.
How is the atmosphere at the games? I am trying to move from NB to ON and plan on attending once there. How was the game v Warrington perceived by the TO fans?
I am actually off home this week and will be going to Warrington v Wigan Challenge Cup Quarter final on Saturday .....COYW!!!!

#72

Did you catch any of the other Summer Bash games? Toulouse v London was certainly entertaining

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Wow! I've just been watching the State of Origin game from Melbourne on one of the ESPNs - fast and furious, and a very high standard, especially in defence. Anybody else catch it? I have to say the Australian games are of a higher standard than the English games, generally speaking - although of course England has no equivalent of the Origin games.
#74

Unfortunately it's on at a ridiculous time when you are in Canada so I didn't see the State of Origin.
I do regard the State of Origin as the best Rugby League in the world though. In essence you get the highest standard Australian players going at it and both states would beat the other international Rugby League teams. It's a great contest.
I went to the WolfPack home opener yesterday where they avenged their early season loss to the London Broncos. A lot more Brits in the crowd which made for great banter. It's a shame though that beer has gone up there this season. The Wolfpack look on course for the Super League next year and it'll be interesting to see what happens to prices then.
I do regard the State of Origin as the best Rugby League in the world though. In essence you get the highest standard Australian players going at it and both states would beat the other international Rugby League teams. It's a great contest.
I went to the WolfPack home opener yesterday where they avenged their early season loss to the London Broncos. A lot more Brits in the crowd which made for great banter. It's a shame though that beer has gone up there this season. The Wolfpack look on course for the Super League next year and it'll be interesting to see what happens to prices then.