Burgess, I'm not angry, just disappointed
In the words that are always the worst to hear, whether coming from parents, spouses or teachers: “Sam Burgess, I'm not angry... just disappointed.”…
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Joined May 2013
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Professional Rugby Player lucky to be plying my trade in Southern France. Ex Cooma Red Devil, Joeys, Warringah Rat,Central Coast Ray, Waratah and QLD Red.
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In the words that are always the worst to hear, whether coming from parents, spouses or teachers: “Sam Burgess, I'm not angry... just disappointed.”…
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You don’t think? What would you say is? AUS vs NZ?
Burgess, I'm not angry, just disappointed
And that’s my point, after all that, if he’d gone on to inspire an England World Cup victory, it would have made for an amazing, goosebump inducing story. I don’t blame him for going back, he is awesome and universally respected here, but it’s not what they make movies about.
Burgess, I'm not angry, just disappointed
Yikes Nerval, remind me never to get in a Mike Ford history debate with you. But point taken, he has been somewhat hypocritical. It doesn’t change the fact I’d have loved to see him stay and prove the doubters wrong. That’s all this article is about. As for my world renowned defence… I’d imagine Sam Burgess wouldn’t feel me as he trampled over the top of me.
Burgess, I'm not angry, just disappointed
I’ve rarely come off the field and thought “wow that guy is simply a class above everyone else” until I played against Francois Louw a few months back. He was clearly the best player on the field and watching him on the recent tour and Rugby championship and I can’t see how he could be left out no matter where he is playing.
Heyneke Meyer's selection mantra
The shoulder charge will soon be forgotten as part of the game just like unlimited tackles and unlimitied interchange and one referee on the field. The game will move on and the generation next will be all the safer for it.
PC nuttery: leave my sports alone!
No problems on the Clarke thing. In the game, part of the game, should have stayed on the field. No fine necessary.
Your comment on Rugby League being made soft is way off the mark though. Having guys unable to remember thier wedding, daughters soccer game from the weekend just passed (Brett Farve) or driven into a state of depression due to brain damage as has happened in multiple instances in the NFL, is to high a price to pay for your entertainment. The money they are paid for these repeated head injuries is irrelevant. If in the absolute worst case scenario someone dies from one of these hits, is the right response “oh well, he was paid good money?”
PC nuttery: leave my sports alone!
Catching a chill in the backs? Ben Smith and his 11 tries this test season would disagree.
p.s @colquinn I’ll never get why people think on an opinion based website Union supporters have no right to comment on anything Rugby League or vice versa. The are VERY FEW people who like only one sport or the other, in fact people who watch and enjoy both sports are probably best placed to make some informed analysis and not just try and take the mickey out of one code or the other.
SBW: "I want to play against the best"
Great Stuff. Looking forward to defending the cup.
ARU to resurrect third-tier rugby comp
2007 till 2010 Tigranes. I went to that game. No way RL would get that many in France but it is bigger than it was when I got here 3 years ago. I was talking about general media coverage of Rugby. Outside of International games it is very limited. 2 column inches in national sport paper per day.
Relaxed eligibility laws in RLWC are a smart strategy
Agreed it would have been a massive boost. And thats my point. He would still be a massive boost this World Cup. It’s weak to say playing for Fiji would mean he didn’t have a viable career. He would still earn an absolute packet. He (quite rightly) wants to play in the pinnacle of Rugby League, The State of Origin. So NSW benefits. Australia benefits. Jarred Hayne benefits. Fiji get to see the guy who the kids loved in Green and Gold going against them. Hurrel should be commended.
Relaxed eligibility laws in RLWC are a smart strategy
I played 3 years of Rugby in Italy. We stopped the team bus at a service station where the lady told me how much she loved Rugby. I said that’s great, then i think she saw a few of our props and then asked “Wait, Rugby is the game they play on the ice with sitcks right?” They don’t have a clue, rugby or league. The Daily Sport paper will have at maximum half a page on Rugby right towards the very back and that’s Heineken Cup. internationals a bit more but only just. Otherwise it’s just the results next to the c-grade golf ball winners. Possibly the best 3 years of my career however. In France League is a bit bigger. Anything Catalan Dragons in reported in the big sports paper l’equipe. The rugby paper has a few pages on the Dragons and the local comps. It’s growing, in both coutries. I’d like to see Mini, Guerra and the rest turn out test matches over the next few seasons. Against the French in Italy or France. Will their clubs let that happen to “grow the game?” No chance. And there is the dilemma.
Relaxed eligibility laws in RLWC are a smart strategy
A hit and a comment. I owed you one. Good summation of week 2.
RLWC 2013: five points from week two of the World Cup
Again good points made. However, in what way is Jarred Hayne country hopping back into the Australian team helping the game? It’s helping him. It’s helping NSW at State of Origin time. At the moment it’s helping Australia as he plays against his former team Fiji. But the game… the game suffers.
Relaxed eligibility laws in RLWC are a smart strategy
I completely agree. I hate when people who write or comment on a sports opinion website have an opinion different to mine. And the gall of people that are fans of more than one sport and make comment out of their supposed area of expertise. Disgusting behavior.
RLWC more than filling our sporting void
My profession is irrelevant Pat. I wrote this as a league fan, which I have been my whole life. I wrote this as a fan who has been watching this world cup and I asked myself is this as good as it can get for internaional Rugby League? My answer was no. I offered my thoughts as to why. My idea of guys sticking with their national teams for the length of their careers has nothing to do with “red tape” and everything to do with pride in their national jersey. Without that, why even have a tournament? If quality football is all you’re after stick with the NRL, as apart from the top 2 or 3 nations NRL sides would beat the rest. But it’s not about that, it’s about one countries best going against another countries best. I, as a fan, can invest more into these teams if I know the players the,selves are invested in these teams. For me, the best way to do that is to stick with these teams. You may have other ideas but that doesn’t make you a troll, just someone with other ideas. Have a good day.
Sorry but the Rugby League World Cup is a farce
Why thanks Dianne… I’ve copped alot of flack from some but also some really good repsonses. Some have even forced me to change my tune a little. It truly is a celebration of the game and a good one at that. The people flitting between countries bothers me but as some have said may be a necessary step. Time will tell. The ball is in Rugby League’s court to see if it continues to take the necessary steps between world cups.
Sorry but the Rugby League World Cup is a farce
Wow this has generated a huge response overnight. Some great points have been made and I’m seeing elements of this World Cup in a different light so thanks everyone for the discussion. Just to clarify some of my thoughts. I have no problem with heritage players IF these guys align themselves to a nation and stick with them (even at the cost of not being eligible for state of origin) and IF these players make themelves available for all subsequant test matchs involving their newly adopted nation. IF that happens then this world cup WILL be the step forward that international Rugby League needs. It’s now in the players hands just how seriously they want the international game to be taken.
Sorry but the Rugby League World Cup is a farce
@Deanp I’ve got to stop you right there. Even insinuating the R word is 15 steps too far. That is poor form from you. I have no problems with Petero playing for Australia. None. If that is who he chose to play for then all the best to him. But to be able to flitter between nations on the basis of whether he is selected of not for the stronger nation is for me, a no-no. Same goes Hayne and Minichello and the rest. Oh and in the part of my article you quoted, insinuating racism, you casually and I’m sure accidentally left off the part where I said Petero representing Fiji is “a great thing”.
Sorry but the Rugby League World Cup is a farce
Very much agreed. Henry Speight should be playing for Fiji end of story. I by no means begrudge him the $ he will earn through the playing with the Wallabies but the ARU’s attitude on this has been very disappointing. I know it will sound hypocritical but in the same breath I have absolutely no problem with Craig Wing representing Japan having earned his residency. He has not played for Rugby for any other nation and if he can help a developing nation then why not. Weakening a developing nation like Fiji is an article for another day.
Sorry but the Rugby League World Cup is a farce
I’ve been watching the games when I can. I said in another post that that line of the article may have got the better of me. I’m a genuine league fan and would love a super strong international game. I just think you build the nations then the world cup, not the other way round. I’d agree it was a way forward for international rugby league if anyone other than the Aussie’s, Kiwi’s and Brits had actually moved forward since last world cup. If any of the small nations had been given any games of meaning since the last world cup then I could agree that it’s the way forward for international Rugby League. As it stands the last time I saw Samoa or Fiji was the last world cup. if it’s meant to be a step forward, these steps have to happen more often than every 4 years.
Sorry but the Rugby League World Cup is a farce
All good and valid points. Thanks for the comment Ryan.
Sorry but the Rugby League World Cup is a farce
Fair point Eagle Jack. My emotions may have got the better of with that line. The thing is, where will this heartfelt passion for the families of Fijian, Welsh or Tongan families (or the players) be this time next year when they are being ignored again? Where will Rugby League in Ireland be when fly in fly out players such as Brett White leave and don’t play another game for 4-5 years? Where are the faces of the Scotland and Italy players on the Website? One of them is Peter Wallace for crying out loud, cut and paste his Broncos photo. If Rugby League wants to be international DO IT and do it right. Not this mirage of an international Tournament. I for one love Rugby League. Played it as a junior. Was pretty rubbish at it but loved it and still do. I may be a professional Rugby player but this was written as a passionate league Fan.
Sorry but the Rugby League World Cup is a farce
@ Renegade… Just calling it how I see it. Thanks for the extra hit and comment.
Sorry but the Rugby League World Cup is a farce
Great Article!!
Though if Adam Ashley-Cooper is in the “twighlight of his career” at 29 years old, then my career is well past midnight. Great that your backing the boys. Should be more of it!
Why the Wallabies will win the next World Cup
Haha… maybe, with the right soundtrack, it could work.
Burgess, I'm not angry, just disappointed