Are the Lions are realistic chance?

[legend]

With the upcoming Kangaroo tour fast approaching, David Waite would be putting in fourteen hour days to come up with a plan to topple the Aussies in what I hope will be a closely contested series. A few things I need to know:

Do the British have the depth to reallistically challenge the Kangaroos?

Is an Aussie the best man for the coaching job?

Why were smaller venues chosen for the test matches?

Can anyone give me a likely squad to face the Kangaroos and which club each player is from?

 

[G@v]

Do the British have the depth to reallistically challenge the Kangaroos?
Realistically, no, not a chance. As you suggest, GB don't have the depth. Maybe we could sneak one of the Tests.

Is an Aussie the best man for the coaching job?
I can't think of a British coach who could do a better job.

Why were smaller venues chosen for the test matches?
Why ohwhy. Even now I've read posts that wondered if all three Tests would be sell-outs.

Can anyone give me a likely squad to face the Kangaroos and which club each player is from?

Those in blue would be my starters.

K Radlinski - Wigan
B Carney - Wigan
L Pryce - Bradford
P Wellens - St Helens
K Senior - Leeds
T Martyn - St Helens
L Briers - Warrington
T O'Connor - Wigan
K Cunningham - St Helens
S Feilden - Bradford
A Morley - Roosters
P Sculthorpe - St Helens
A Farrell - Wigan
P Johnson - Wigan
G Connolly - Wigan
T Newton - Wigan
P Anderson - Bradford
J Peacock - Bradford
P Deacon - Bradford
T Jonkers - St Helens
C Joynt - St Helens
D Hodgson - Wigan
P King - Hull
F Cummins - Leeds
D Cardiss - Halifax
Bar McDermott - Leeds
K Pratt - Leeds
K Sinfield - Leeds
T Smith - Hull
A Stewart - St Helens
N Sykes - Castleford
D Fleary - Leeds
L Gilmour - Bradford
L Radford - Bradford

 

[legend]

Gav, why would the games not sellout? Is the test series being poorly promoted? Are the fans purely in it for their respective clubs(as are many in oz). I can't understand why grounds like Old Trafford and Elland Road cannot sellout. Are the fans taking a wait and see approach to the series?

In 1994 GB won the first test 8-4(i think) and a fortnight later Old Trafford was sold out for a test on Guy Fawkes day. Australia won 38-8 and the third test was a tough match won by the Aussies 23-4(i think). Bill Harrigan was the ref and I remember we were very lucky to win that game with a couple of crucuial decisions going against the Poms. Maybe with the English cricket side toppling the Aussies, a bit of English pride will emerge.

BTW, does anyone remember Alain Sablayrolles?

 

[Bryce]

Yeah, I do. He was that French refere who used to referee a few tests. So was Julian Rascagnier (sp). As I recall, he was quite competent.

 

[pepe]

i give the lions some sort of chance,afterall it is on home soil and i'm sure the pitch will be well watered.

if johns and barrett make up our half combination then it's pretty much shut the gate.

are the games being televised on foxtel?

pepe

 

[Bebeto in Japan]

I can't remember where I read it but apparently, Jamie Ainscough has been approached by David Waite to play for the Brits against Australia. Apparently, his parents are both English (maybe he was also born there but I am not sure) and is eligible for selection. So there is a bolter for the British test side.

 

[imported_Kaon]

Apparently, Jamie Ainscough was asked just after the origin series but he turned down the chance,

I know channel nine are showing the tests so it's bad news for Melbournians but foxtel might be showing the tour games.

 

[G@v]

Legend, the games probably will sell out, but I'm bracing myself just in case. I think the cheapest tickets are £20 which IMO is a little too high. We can't afford to have soccer style ticket prices even for a Kangaroos Test series.

The three venues are: McAlpine Stadium - 24,000
Reebok Stadium - 28,000
JJB Stadium - 25,000

Some would argue that Rugby League fans should be prepared to pay top prices to see the best, I hold a different view. You should never expect or suppose that the punters will just turn up just because you feel you've got the best sporting ocassion on the planet. If they don't fill these smaller venues, then it's obvious that those in power are clueless when it comes to selling the game.