Nice to see a full house at Donny.

only 4k off at the start of the week. Everyone will beinder the stand. There's plenty under there.

Great game.

Er.....

Indeed, very tedious

Some comical introductions by Tony Smith tonight but I suppose its best to get them out of the way before next week. However the French have been the better side and the four nations will only prove if they are the better side.

One though worries me - who would Tony Smith pick if it wasn’t for Lee Smith still around?

Total and utter gash, I sometimes wonder what the hell they work on in training camps because it certainly aint anything to do with putting a game plan on the park!!

To be fair you knew it was all going to go wrong when they cant even get the anthems right and the referee doesnt even know who's supposed to be kicking off

The Leeds United football game doesn't seem so bad now.

Still....the Aussies will really be tting themselves.

Mexican Wave - says it all.

In sean longs book he talks about how in the 06 tri nations they didn't even discuss gameplan or do any ball work until the day of the game!!!!

That just gives you an insight into how poor the international prep can be.

just shows how good keef is when you see shenton out there

Have to say I thought that when watching the game. His presence was severly missed.

I'm still staggered by Burrows omission from the squad. I know it can't happen this series but has TS' as England manager' ever started with the Sinfield, Burrow and Maguire combination that works so well for Leeds?
My memory of games isn't great, but I can't recall it happening.

At least the team hasn't peaked yet!

Speaking of the ref, was he on some kind of satellite feed from "down under"? There seemed to be a 2 second delay for all his decisions.

FGB was my man of the match

Sounds like a great game to have missed.

International rugby league is a non-starter

Have to disagree with there fella, Australia vs NZ are usually cracking games.

With that attitude amongst fans it is hardly f***ing surprising is it?

You don't have to go that far back in our history to see large crowds watching classics. An Aussie tour used to be the source of huge excitement, no reason why it can't be again.

Look how quickly what appears to be a credible French team have emerged as a result of an expansionist attitude notwithstanding limited resources.

It can work. A good game on the Beeb will be a huge help.

Second half he actually looked nearly as good as all the Stains fans think he is, but Ellis was a clear MOM. His cover defence to make up for our disorganisation near our line was fabulous, and boy can he hit the ball up. Burgess has something to aspire to there (although I still think he's a prop - not a back row).

Burrow is what, 26?. He only broke into the international set-up 2 years ago and made an immediate impact. Surely at his age with his experience he's at his peak? He must have 5 years at the top level left in him. An absolutely bizarre decission.
It's also obvious taht we can't possibly play the game in our half against anyone (even France) because we still have real issues defending anywhere near our line (just like the World Cup). So a good kicking game is essential. Burrow has shown big gaem after big game he's a terrific kicking option. Did Myler kick at all last night?

The attitude starts with the players, I have not seen an England or GB team want to play for each other (let alone their country) since the 1970s.

I won't even mention the rumours about seperate "camps" within the squad or some players simply touring for a big up.

If they can't be bothered then neither can I and neither can lots of other RL supporters by the look of it, season starts next year for me.

It wasn't the greatest game of rL i've been to but I was pleased to see a competitive French side.

I'll keep my powder dry. First game out and things actually got better and started to click in the second half so I hope we'll be much better in the 2nd game because we will need to be.

Thought Myler played very well. Was watching him off the ball quite a bit and he really took on a massive role braking orders and moving his players around the pitch.

Have you changed your opinion that he shouldn't have had a look in for the Internationals yet?

In the first half when we looked nailed on for a try and FGB knocked on with the line wide open in front of him . All he had to do was catch it and walk about 5 paces..
Who was it that stood up then and started singing 'you're just a useless ginger barsteward' ?

To be fair to him he didn't do too bad at all when he came on . IIRC he was directly involved in the first seven tackles after he entered the field .

Not sure about who I would have picked as MOM , but it sure wouldn't have been any of the bar staff or the stewards . bunch of ted retards . Just my opinion .

Watching it was no sound, it seemed like Barry was angry at you whenever he did a peice to camera. I was quite firghtened at times.

No. He shouldn't have been selected. I am a firm believer in selecting on form. Smith hasn't done that.

I have no issue with the lad. I posted after Salford beat us that he gave one of the best scrum half displays I'd seen in some time.

Whether I agree with his selection in the first place I will critique his performances objectively and the aspect of play I spoke about (which your average fekkwitt will not have observed) impressed me.