Cup Semi Final #2

[Calixte]

On Foxtel now. Live.

Excellent atmosphere at the new stadium in Doncaster.

Wakefield or Hull? Hull look good.

 

[Calixte]

Sensational first half of rugby league.

One of the best I have seen this year...

 

[bartman]

Yes, quite attack oriented, refreshing to see.

Could go either way.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Goes to show that loose passes and mistakes but plenty of action can make for a good game, a very good game.

 

[bartman]

Gee, that Brough thing near the line was nearly a try for Wakey/costly mistake for Hull...

 

[bartman]

Wow, and just the tiniest bit of chalk on the leg preventing Blanch's try - which wouldn't have come close if the corner post was straight in the first place... interesting reprocussions if cornerpost maintenance ever changes a result?

 

[bartman]

Hull too good in the second half. Wakey kept throwing everything they had.

Saints v Hull at Wembley.

 

[Calixte]

Wembley will be busting at the seams for this one.

Hull FC and St Helens.

Come on FC...Break the jinx. :doubt:

 

[Calixte]

Great to hear the Welsh Wizard on the commentary...

 

[stormtragic]

2 great CC games...NRL teams Eels and Cowboys *cough cough* should have watched how to play footy

 

[JasonE]

I thought it was awful, breathtaking, poor, brilliant, mistake ridden, heroic, superb and woeful with a pedantic referee.

Couldn't take my eyes off the action.

 

[bartman]

2 great CC games...NRL teams Eels and Cowboys *cough cough* should have watched how to play footy

You're not wrong... I know which game I would rather have been at this weekend

 

[JasonE]

The contrast in styles between the NRL and English Rugby League was never more evident than in the first five minutes of the Saints v Leeds game.
It was open and free flowing right from the start with lots of ball movement and skill, maybe thats not everyones cup of tea but i loved it.

 

[bartman]

I'm really bored with the whole "winning the wrestle" emphasis in the NRL this year... have noticed that coaches seem to be spending more time developing player skills in that direction (which are more boring for people to watch) than the traditional skills and tactics of basic attack and defence, and then letting the game plans and the talents of the players flow.

 

[Calixte]

I'm really bored with the whole "winning the wrestle" emphasis in the NRL this year... have noticed that coaches seem to be spending more time developing player skills in that direction (which are more boring for people to watch) than the traditional skills and tactics of basic attack and defence, and then letting the game plans and the talents of the players flow.

True. I couldn't give a flying f**k about the wrestle...

 

[JasonE]

I'm really bored with the whole "winning the wrestle" emphasis in the NRL this year... have noticed that coaches seem to be spending more time developing player skills in that direction (which are more boring for people to watch) than the traditional skills and tactics of basic attack and defence, and then letting the game plans and the talents of the players flow.

Agree with that.

I was critical of Hull for refusing to let Tom Briscoe tour Oz with the England Academy team and i still am, but in the past few weeks he has confirmed in my mind that he will make the senior England team in the near future. Although currently on the wing he is a natural centre

 

[miguel de cervantes]

True. I couldn't give a flying f**k about the wrestle...

Do you think the English side will persist with this style of play in the WC or lower themselves to the standard of a possibly stiffled Australian style?

 

[Evil Homer]

Do you think the English side will persist with this style of play in the WC or lower themselves to the standard of a possibly stiffled Australian style?

I think England will play with flair, at least judging from the previous games under Smith.

 

[Calixte]

What Smith needs to do is get his weapons on the field at the same time.

For me, the strength of the English challenge will depend on how well he can harness the attacking skills of Burrow, Roby and Pryce at the same time. If he can get them all on the field at once, they can ask serious questions of the Aussies in defence.

That has been the number one issue in England/GB upsetting Australia over the last 25 years: a lack of penetrating attacking ability, combined with a (regular as clockwork) loss of composure...

They are their main issues as I see them.

I think they will try to play a more fluid style than Australia at the play the ball. At least, they will need to do so to win.