nrl fan curious about esl. answer my questions?

[newcastle_guy]

hey im an australian nrl fan, lives in newcastle. and theres some things id like to know about league over there.
1. what is the capacity of old trafford?
2. whats the media coverage of the roo tour like over there?
3. do you think GB can win it this year (theres enough aussies out)?
4. how will wales go against australia?
5. is GB playing any warm up matches to the test series?

even if you any 1 of these questions, it would be good just to get a reply on how league is going over there. thanks

 

[Penelope Pittstop]

hey im an australian nrl fan, lives in newcastle. and theres some things id like to know about league over there.
1. what is the capacity of old trafford?
2. whats the media coverage of the roo tour like over there?
3. do you think GB can win it this year (theres enough aussies out)?
4. how will wales go against australia?
5. is GB playing any warm up matches to the test series?

even if you any 1 of these questions, it would be good just to get a reply on how league is going over there. thanks

I'm reasonably sure the capacity is about 70,000

The Roo tour, so my pommie mates tell me get a fair amount of coverage, although Soccer is the main game.

I think we are sending over a pretty decent team, and I can't see them being beaten. But I've been known to be wrong before

My Daughter and parents went over about 3 years ago on the tour and there were games played throughout the country.

 

[In-goal]

Australia will handle Wales comfortably, as no GB stars will be available.

GB have one warm up game against NZ residents.

David Waite believes GB can win, but refuses to buy into Australias injury problems.

 

[terracesider]

hey im an australian nrl fan, lives in newcastle. and theres some things id like to know about league over there.
1. what is the capacity of old trafford?

PP is probably right.

2. whats the media coverage of the roo tour like over there?

What roo tour? At the moment there's only one sports story apart from the endless drivel about soccer: the rah-rah's World Goal Kicking Championships. It may improve a bit when the Kangaroos arrive but not much. Perhaps each paper will mention it and the quality press will carry a few 500 word pieces tucked away between the lower division soccer and the horse racing. But there certainly won't be the glossy pull-outs, colour photos and acres of print the rah-rahs have had.

3. do you think GB can win it this year (theres enough aussies out)?

It's unlikely while we have a timid, defensive, fightened coach who insists on playing the same individuals who have failed so miserably so often before, not least against NZ in 2002. The side will be picked on favouritism rather than merit. There's not been as much exciting new talent in ESL for decades but the young stars won't be playing.

4. how will wales go against australia?

They'll play with pride but this is not the side that with the Aussies produced the best match of the last world cup. There's too many lower division players and part-timers for the Aussies to be worried.

5. is GB playing any warm up matches to the test series?

v NZ 'A Tue 28/10 Headingly, I think and that's it.

 

[red or dead]

http://www.manutd.com/oldtrafford/oldtrafford.sps?iType=475&icustompageid=809

pretty much all you need to know about the theatre of dreams in here boys and girls

 

[JasonE]

It makes me sad to say that this is the worst Wales side ever and Australia could put 100 on them, Wales have lost too many good players to injury and will be relying on a mixture of part timers & amateurs.

 

[Rich]

OT is just over 67,000 but for the league GF they lose roughly 2000 because of the big screen.

Jason is right, the Wales game will be a walkover for the Aussies. I'd prefer to see at least one more game against England A or games against the top SL sides. Sadly because of Saints' 5,000 crowd v NZ in 2002 that idea has probably been scrapped for good.

They could even play a Celtic side made up of Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

 

[Bob8]

1. what is the capacity of old trafford?
2. whats the media coverage of the roo tour like over there?
3. do you think GB can win it this year (theres enough aussies out)?
4. how will wales go against australia?
5. is GB playing any warm up matches to the test series?

The capacity of OLd Trafford is indeed just shy of 70,000, but the big screen for RL matches lowers it to about 64,000.

Few people know the series is on. I know you complain about coverage in Australia, but many people here believe RL no longer exists as they here the game is dying and then here nothing else. If you try to tell many people in GB out of the heartlands that RL is popular in Australia, let alone as popular as union, they'd scoff.

GB can win.

Well Wales were rubbish, but they were always artificially good before due to cross coders.