If teams still haven't figured out after 27 weekly rounds how to counteract a slow play the ball, then that says much more about the abilities of coaches and players than it does about the laws or referees.

Players have been coached with quick play the balls since SL came into inception 10 years ago.

It will take more than 27 rounds to change the way Rob Burrow plays scrum half or James Roby plays hooker.

I don't know whats happened to Andy Wilson - he used to be a good voice for League in the national press now he's more negative about League than your average union journo. (If I was a one of his friends/family I'd be worried about his mental health)

What struck me about that article is how he talks of potential consequences of the slow PTB in the four-nations but in the WC we were so reliant on quick PTB that we (like saints perhaps) had no plan B when the Aussie ref's allowed a slower ruck.

Like I say, says a lot more about the abilities of players and coaches.

The game in the UK has bred a generation of one trick ponies.

He is judging the whole of the SL season on ONE game and that being the top Grand Final game

Finals are rarely free flowing spectacles. They are, as this one was, generally tight and tense. I enjoyed the game immensely.

Sure the majority of tries came from kicks but there was also some simply breathtaking defence on show.

Review the Leeds semi-final instead and some of the tries there from both side could be described as top drawer and the skill levels where simply outstanding.

SL going backwards....not for me.

Selective memory at work



IMHO that statement is total rubbish and totally disrespectful to the opposition. ???

Is Ali a one trick pony ???

Donald Hall Senior McGuire Webb ???

The skill levels are immense but teams have worked hard to match this defensively.

The rule change around the ruck has given the defence a slight advantage and the game will adapt to this.

I would rather see true skill break open a set defence than a reliance on a fast PTB even if this limits scoring opportunities to say 3-4 in a match and we see more close games.

Nor me. Far as I'm concerned, the PTB had become ridiculously quick meaning that players could break a fragmented defensive line without doing anything particularly skilful. Sure, it produced a lot of spectacular tries but the memories fade pretty quickly when a side scores 6 or 7 such tries in one game.

I'm a little confused now it seems the game will always be criticised no matter what they do. If games are more one sided they complain its not competitive if games are tight they claim its dull. Does the national media actually know what it wants from the game?

Everyone complained that the international game was different to SL at the world cup now its been brought more in line with slower PTB and they still comlplain.

Exactly what I have been saying most of the last season. People have welcomed the improved (yet boring to watch with their defence orientated wrestling tactics) Huddersfield and rubbed their hands with glee at the demise of Saints (who were successful playing attractive and attacking rugby).

Is Ali a product of the game in the UK?

Selective memory again



How many years has he played here now ?????

Look how much he has declined.

He was a regular in the NZ side before Leeds got their hands on him.

I see what you and saddend are saying re-saints and the PTB but saints themselves use the "wrestle" in defence as much as anyone and imo saints have slowed down as a team anyway not just because of the ptb speed.

He doesn't get selected for NZ because he answered his "spiritual" calling to play for samoa!!

OPINION not FACT

your view only and its a pretty jaundiced one at that I do begin to wonder why you even bother watching the game

Gives me four hours each week where I don't have to talk to the wife.

What more reason do you need?

Joking aside i think the standard has got tougher this season with the new interpritation of the ptb,the world cup( a lot of teams had players at the WC and must of effected their pre-season).
The close results point to a more competitive league imo and whilst we haven't witnessed as much free flowing RL as in the past there's still been some great games,plenty of shocks and the emergence of some quality youngsters so it's not all doom and gloom.

Thats really sad mate and take it from me it is one you might come to regret.

You never know whats round the corner.



But we drift OT

I welcome the slower PTB. It gives a better more even balance to the attack/defence elements.

Anyone any thoughts on also REDUCING the 10M rule as well.

I read it as a very light hearted quip.

IMO the rules need to remain constant for a few years we are always changing the rules and tinkering, the game needs to remain consistnet for a few years otherwise it will always be classed as a "gimmicky" sport by the masses.

That would be horrible. We would see very conservative attack into blitzing defenders, and teams simply trying to force mistakes with aggressive defence.

It's not like teams can open defences at will with the current 10m gap.

True,,,but whats light for some can be heavy for others.

He does seem to want give absolute statements of fact when actually they are just his opinions.

Before the PTB became slower, I was in favour of either slowing it down or reducing the 10m. I don't think both are necessary. Despite being in favour of a slower PTB, I'd hate to get to the stage that the RU prem's now at, i.e. where a defensive stalemate with hardly any tries becomes commonplace.

Anyone who wants to see what reducing the gap between the attacking and defensive lines results in should watch a bit of top level rugby union.