2008 World Cup!!! Positives and Negatives!!!

[Engine]

My positives

* The entertainment value of every game (apart from the Aus v NZ game).
While the minnows don't play polished footy, their games have been damn entertaining. Geez, I wanted Ireland to win after the showboating of Esi Tonga.

* The quality of Australia's play.
While Australia wrestled the Kiwis to death, they were very clean against the poms. Some international apologists here complained that Australia wrestled England out of the game. In fact, I thought England were much worse in that dept than Australia were. They just didn't sustain it for long periods.
Apart from that 38-0 half they played against GB a few years ago, that was the best performance from an Australian team that I've seen.
Our league team just does not get the accolades they deserve. A rivalry makes a team great and Australia simply doesn't have a competitive rivalry.

*Tournament format
The format / pools could not have been organised better. A very intelligent way to promote fairly even contested games.

Negatives

*Crowds.
In general, I don't think the cup has captured the imagination of the general public. The union world cup in Australia really did capture the curiousity of the Australian public. Nobody talks about it in general conservation.

*Pissweak opposition from NZ and England.
It is not Australia's fault that they are so good. NZ never got a look-in against Australia. England had a 10 minute window of opportunity which they failed to cash in on.

*Predictability
A great world cup is one which you don't know how the results will fall. Blind Harry can see who will win the title. While you and I will watch the matches for the spectacle, your average punter won't watch it because they can predict the result with a fair degree of accuracy (especially the finals matches). Diehard league fans will support it, but it is the support from your average sportfan which determines how much money the cup will make. Union cashed in very successfully with the average customer, league not.

Soccer WC : So many teams can win it on their day.
Union WC : Aust, France, South Africa, England and New Zealand can win.
Cricket WC : Aust have been dominant, but SA, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, WI and England can all beat Australia on a good day.
League : Aust. England and NZ would have to be damn lucky to fluke one.

 

[eelz47]

good points

my sister in law(not a league nut, but is interested a bit_), mentioned the other day that it wasnt well advertised.
which is a big killer

 

[Engine]

I agree eelz....needs much better promotion. We have the best game in the universe. Unfortunately, I think the afl and A-League promote their product more effectively.

 

[eelz47]

I agree eelz....needs much better promotion. We have the best game in the universe. Unfortunately, I think the afl and A-League promote their product more effectively.

that latest soccer ad makes me stop and watch. and i hate f**kin soccer

 

[TheParraboy]

in addition

The first thing they should do is call it THE RUGBY LEAGUE CUP

Too many players country hoping to get a game, feels like they have diluted teams with NRL players in order to make somewhat competitive games amongst the minnow nations, one reason people cant take the event seriously

The live coverage has been appalling

Should be held mid season, 4-5 weeks freeze on the NRL and where ever else league is played

 

[Spitty]

I've really loved the Minnow games, so I find that the format has worked well. It is a shame that the opposition aren't up to the Ozzies standards but thats competition. Probably the biggest negative I can find is that I would have liked to see PNG play some of the minnow nations. I think there would have been some cracking games.

 

[TheParraboy]

The positives, theres only 15-16 games all up, (thank christ)

Games being played at a lot of different venues

there is a chance for poms or kiwis to have another crack at australia, even if they lose 2 games in the pool games (not sure thats a positive really)

 

[TheParraboy]

I've really loved the Minnow games, so I find that the format has worked well. It is a shame that the opposition aren't up to the Ozzies standards but thats competition. Probably the biggest negative I can find is that I would have liked to see PNG play some of the minnow nations. I think there would have been some cracking games.

true, ive been to a couple and they have been great

but in the context of a "world cup", its a shame (but a tragic neccessity) there has to be a super pool group and a couple of minnow groups. No other world cup classes its finalists in categories like that.

 

[eelz47]

The live coverage has been appalling

live coverage? thats rooted


even thought i went to fiji vs france, whats the average punter suppose to do? pay to watch the game on main event or get up at the crack of dawn to watch it?


its rooted the tv coverage. play all the games live or on a slight delay. not the next day

 

[Perth Red]

Typical RL, they just hope the regular RL fans will turn up and do nothing to entice the non RL sportfan who will turn up for an event. RL gets what it deserves, put in the hard yards or don't and end up with mediocre results. For a game that understands that on the field we fall a long way short of it.

ps the pool 2 and 3 games have been the highlight for me and PNG. I'm sick of seeing England, NZ and AUs so its been great watching other countries.

 

[Glen from the Mount]

The Positives:
1) PNG v England - Almost an amazing start to the WC for PNG. Great to watch.
2) Ireland v Tonga - Even though they lost, it was a great effort by the unfancied Irish.
3) Samoa v Tonga - At the time it was the best game of the WC.
4) Fiji v France - The best game so far. I kept thinking that the Fijians would tire and the French would storm home but it never happened.

The Negatives:
1) The Aussie media, who forget this is a WORLD CUP. For 7 of the teams they're just glad to be here playing test footy.
2) All the people who think Australia have already won the final.

 

[Nz]

Positives:

We have established that NRL is > that SL.

Negatives:

No one has been able to challenge Australia.

 

[Brutus]

Too many players country hoping to get a game, feels like they have diluted teams with NRL players in order to make somewhat competitive games amongst the minnow nations, one reason people cant take the event seriously

But if there weren't as many NRL players invloved, clowns like Sattler and Andy Raymond would have nothing to talk about during the commentary.

 

[Perth Red]

Positives:
1. The carnival crowds, especially the pitch invasion. What they've lacked in size they've made up for in atmosphere!
2. The "minnows" who are playing for little more than pride in their shirt
3. The Kangaroo backline, probably the most exciting in 20 years
4. International TV coverage, live around the world (except OZ!) and into 112 countries is awsome!

Negatives:
1. The lack of promotion and TV coverage meaning most of the country don't know or care its on
2. England and NZ who have offered no class or resistance to the Kangaroos
3. France, much vaunted but have looked very poor
4. RL fans who would rather sit at home and run the tournament down than get off their backsides and show how much they love the game.

 

[Parra]

4. RL fans who would rather sit at home and run the tournament down than get off their backsides and show how much they love the game.

Yeah. Don't listen to fans.