Roar Guru
Joined July 2012
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The World Cup final for 2017 was about as intense a game of Test match rugby league as I have ever seen. It was…
After years of waiting, Lady Luck has finally given England a most desperate reprieve. Nobody who witnessed it can ever forget the agonising game…
New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney has named his squad to take on the Australian Kangaroos in next Friday's Anzac Test. The Kiwi coach has…
The NRL have erred in their appreciation and awareness of drama and narrative. Professional sport is a form of entertainment. It is like a…
On the 20th April, Lebanon's University of Balamand (UOB) erased the demons of recent grand final losses to defeat Lebanese American University (LAU) 17-10…
I read some comments on Super League the other day that suggested the competition ought to be more aggressive in how it portrays itself…
They've done it. England have finally done it. After eight long years without any silverware to show for their efforts, England have taken out…
England, what happened? After their stunning second-half performance in Hull, England have produced a fizzer in attack despite an intense defensive effort in the…
Following the Rugby League International Federation's Annual Congress and AGM in Paris on the fourth and fifth of November, the much anticipated Strategic Plan…
England is back. Well, kind of. After a lacklustre first 30 minutes, England clawed their way back to totally dominate the second half with…
Later on this evening, South Africa and Lebanon will face off for the second match of a two-Test series in their attempts to qualify…
After some diabolical handling performances, the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Penrith Panthers will be desperate to not lose grip on the rest of the…
![[VIDEO] Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers highlights: NRL scores, blog](https://cdn4.theroar.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/J-Soward-415x285.jpg)
Both the Penrith Panthers and the Melbourne Storm will be looking to bounce back from recent woes at Pepper Stadium in Penrith. Join The…
In the midst of the current obsession with the shenanigans surrounding the Good Friday clash between Souths and the Bulldogs, rugby league journalism here…
The Gold Coast Titans and Wests Tigers will be looking to leave recent woes behind them as they get their 2015 premiership seasons underway…
![[VIDEO] Gold Coast Titans vs Wests Tigers Highlights: NRL scores, blog](https://cdn4.theroar.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AaronWoods-415x285.jpg)
With two matches done and dusted, the Super League is now pinning its hopes on 2014 champions St Helens to overcome NRL premiers South…
Undoubtedly the most famous of all grand finalists, the St. George Dragons seared themselves into the imaginations of rugby league fans by winning a…
With all the talk of expansion and internationalism, now is a good time to pause and reflect on the rich tapestry that is rugby…
What does the success of the Auckland Nines, the Four Nations and the push for an expanded World Club Series mean? It means that…
Rugby league's history, tradition and future will be on display in February courtesy of the 2015 World Club Series. Some of the code's oldest,…
I hope you succeed.
There has been a series of incidents over the years that have made it harder and harder for me to care about the code in Australia. The resistance against the Denver Test almost feels like the last straw for my interest in rugby league in Australia.
Anyway, good luck Steve. Seriously.
How I made the final leap from journalist to activist
It’s a great concept.
It’s disappointing to see so many against the idea of international club rugby league.
Seven talking points from the World Club Series
In terms of intensity, nobody is doubting the NRL is at a higher level.
But as Leeds’ coach McDermott said, a few months at that level is all it takes to catch up.
If you think that clubs like Wigan, St Helens, Leeds, Warrington, Hull FC can’t make the step up – and in believing as such deny them the chance to do so – then you are building walls around your NRL village.
Seven talking points from the World Club Series
Apparently over $10 million was generated for the local economy courtesy of the Wigan v Hull FC match. And all that from a crowd of 12,000 in Wollongong.
And people suggest that these kinds of matches have no future or aren’t worth supporting? No wonder I have a tendency to roll my eyes…
As you said of Leeds coach McDermott’s quote, it would only take a few months to get up to NRL-style level. Let’s say one year just to be gentle to the naysayers.
Consider that over a four week tournament in the World Cup, England matched Australia in intensity and then some, in the final.
The benefits of a World Club Challenge is exciting for the code.
Seven talking points from the World Club Series
The English don’t lack skill or talent or anything like that. Just intensity.
And you can only get that by actually playing higher intensity games.
That is why these World Club matches are so important. The more they play, the more chances to improve.
And that can only be good for the code.
Seven talking points from the World Club Series
That’s right.
Melbourne proved to be the best professional team by beating Leeds. Both clubs sent out the best teams they could for the match. 20,000 or so fans turned out to watch. The match garnered relevant rugby league attention both here in Australia and in the UK.
Just because it was the first hit-out of the year for Melbourne and the third for Leeds doesn’t mean the World Club Challenge is a trial match.
Cooper who? Storm crush Rhinos to be crowned World Club champions
Cameron Smith said 20,000 during his victory speech.
This match always draws well, either here or in the UK. Remember the 30,000 that turned up to watch the Roosters play Wigan?
The game – and concept – has great potential.
Melbourne Storm vs Leeds Rhinos: World Club Challenge rugby league live scores, blog
I only got to see the last 15 minutes.
Melbourne just too good. I heard that they took a while to get into their groove and that Leeds were pushing them well enough.
That’s all good and well but you have to make those times count with points and then also be able to up your own game once the opposition does.
It looks as if Leeds weren’t able to do that but they’ll live to fight another day. They are a good club.
So too are Melbourne. The crowd looked pretty good too. Any figures on that?
Melbourne Storm vs Leeds Rhinos: World Club Challenge rugby league live scores, blog
That’s right.
It’s not a ‘trial’. It’s the World Club Challenge.
If one club or fans see it merely as a trial, then too bad for them and their myopia.
2018 World Club Challenge preview
That was my impression of him just from watching him on the TV.
Another slapstick moment for NRL clubs
‘Not being rugby league’ is just an excuse villagers pull out to justify not understanding change.
Another slapstick moment for NRL clubs
Melbourne were so dominant last year it was frightening.
Having said that, Leeds struggled in 2016 before bouncing back last and even tually clicking into gear later in the season. They have a lot of big game experience as a club and thoroughly outplayed League Leaders Castleford in the Grand Final.
It’s no guarantee that Melbourne will win. But then, it’s no guarantee that Leeds will either.
Good luck to both teams.
2018 World Club Challenge preview
The failed Adelaide Rams?
The club lasted two seasons. Their inaugural season saw a crowd average of over 15,000. That is pretty good. Their last season saw that drop to just over 7,000. That isn’t.
But given that they had been slated to be on the chopping block as part of the peace deal struck, is it any wonder attendances fell?
Like the Reds, the Rams were never given the opportunity to succeed. Remember the 30,000 crowd that turned up to watch Roosters v Wigan in the World Club Challenge in Sydney?
But no, rugby league people seem to like finding ways of not striking while the iron is hot.
State of Origin heading to Adelaide in 2020
Provincialism fighting for its rights…
With clubs getting several million on top of having the salary cap covered by the NRL, you know the poker machine mentality never left.
Another slapstick moment for NRL clubs
I can hear them now, “As long as my hut in the best village in the world is winning…”
AFL is winning hearts and minds because the NRL just does nothing
The irony is that rugby league has the best of both worlds and does little about one and less of the other.
AFL is winning hearts and minds because the NRL just does nothing
One of a handful of great posters on this forum.
Perception is reality Todd, and your mob is on the nose with fans
Sorry, the ‘it didn’t work back then’ was a reply to Big Daddy’s comment.
I get the cramming issues.
I get the recovery issues.
I get that clubs have concerns.
But at the moment this is what we’ve got.
By all accounts, a promoter is willing to pay. For heaven’s sake
it’s a chance to do something.
My view is that a line has to be drawn.
Each time the clubs get to ‘veto’, the integrity of Test football is diminished.
You’re comments are one of the very few that at least tries to find a way through.
Consider me jaded.
I never realised villages were made out of concrete.
My head hurts from butting against their walls.
NRL: Where Test matches are meaningless and trials on suburban ovals are essential
It didn’t work then because it was treated as a ‘holiday junket’.
It didn’t work then because it wasn’t part of any coherent strategy.
‘It didn’t work then…’ is not an argument.
It’s an excuse.
NRL: Where Test matches are meaningless and trials on suburban ovals are essential
In what way was it stupid?
NRL: Where Test matches are meaningless and trials on suburban ovals are essential
It’s part of the NRL charter to support the international game.
NRL: Where Test matches are meaningless and trials on suburban ovals are essential
What are you taking about Justin?
How I made the final leap from journalist to activist