Last week was the representative round and it did not disappoint. From the washed-out Anzac Test to the completed Anzac Test, there was a feast of Pacific Coast rugby league for the genuine fans. Here’s what tickled my fancy:
1. The Tide Test. I can’t recall who came up with that one, but hats off to you. It was a lot cleverer than the tedious memes that invaded Facebook.
2. Nice spin by Todd Greenberg, claiming player safety was the reason for the postponement. Methinks it was because the State Government had cancelled all public transport, and there were about 11 people to watch the game. If Nathan Lyon fails in the West Indies we have a ready replacement in Todd.
3. The Melanesian and Polynesain clashes were tremendous to watch. Possibly the only downside is that the teams are too NRL-centric, and not throwing the ball around more.
4. I loved big Sam Kasiano’s trysaver backed up by Frank Pritchard against Tonga. I can’t believe some melon heads thought it was a shoulder charge.
5. The commentators in the City vs Country match thought it was a boxing match; they only spoke about Josh Reynolds and James Maloney. Fair dinkum, did they not notice Blake Austin score three tries and Jack Bird’s control in attack?
6. I am not Robinson Crusoe, but Bird is a must for the NSW bench. He is a talent.
7. Now, for Josh Reynolds. I love his competitive nature but he needs mid-season surgery, in the form of a lobotomy. While he is in there, Greg Bird could be in the next bed. His lifting tackles were great 10, 20 or 30 years ago but not in 2015.
8. In terms of a State of Origin trial, Tariq Sims, Josh Jackson, Andrew Fifita, David Klemmer and Joel Thomson gave a strong account of themselves. Mitch Rein was a real spark for country and Matt Moylan is a must at fullback. I just don’t know what to think about the halves.
9. Marty Taupau turned the game for New Zealand – his aggression and passion were too much for Australia. Let’s hope he never retires to become a barber.
10. Shaun Johnson showed everyone why he won the golden boot. Maybe New Zealanders rate internationals higher than NRL?
11. Tim Sheens made a huge blunder by not introducing Michael Jennings to Alex Johnston before the game.
So that was the rep weekend – now bring on Round 9. You’ve gotta love the footy!
The lazy Phoenix
Roar Pro
Hi Ken, The live Sunday game is a belatedly brilliant concept. You settle on the couch and it leads straight into the news. Bird is a liability for sure because he doesn't think the tackle is wrong, so he will keep doing it. It is a bit weird, but NRL is the only sport where I get some macabre enjoyment out of watching Australia lose (although not to the Poms)
Ken
Guest
2. No doubt you are correct. The game could have gone ahead, but it would have been a slog and there would have been a sub 1000 people crowd. The strategy seemed to work well though, apparently the Sunday arvo test significantly outrated every game of NRL/AFL this year so far - even if they would have liked a few more through the gate. Food for thought on the idea that only night games rate. 4. well, count me as a melon, because it deadset was a shoulder-charge. I don't believe it's illegal when defending a try-scoring movement though, right? 7. Does anyone think that Greg Bird really offers anything anymore? 5 years ago he was still a meathead but he also ran hard and had a knack for making things happen on the field. These days he just seems to be a liability without much of an upside. 10. I certainly think the NZ's had more passion on the weekend. The forwards were OK, but a few of the Aussies were really just going through the motions, I thought Cronk and Thurston particularly had pretty forgettable games considering they got a good share of field position and possession. Inglis's game seemed a little limp too by his standards (is he carrying an injury?), even discounting the embarrassing in-goal error
Johnno
Guest
Seems alot of city V country forwards should of been playing, in the Test.