Quote ="Hear Ye!"Firstly, it was great tight and interesting game...this is the level that England will compete in at the end of the season, so as far as whether the Exiles concept should continue again....without a doubt yes! I hope interest builds now and in the next few seasons it can develop into a 3 match series.
Secondly, it was a good thing that the Exiles won and that it was close....it means that future matches will attract a bigger audience and it gives the match credibility. Plus England will learn more in that close lose on the hooter than winning by 20 points.
I also think that (and sorry for any Wales fans) the Exiles would be a better inclusion in the Four Nations. England, Australia, New Zealand and the Exiles would create constant competitive games, plus it would give the Exiles more time and publicity for future events. Bar Tommy Leulaui none of the others play for Aus or NZ, so it could work.....although it would slow the progress of other nations international teams development.
England just need to focus on playing form players in their best positions, sick of seeing Sinfield shifted into No.6 over proper standoffs...not to mention, what the hell was Peacock in that team for? Crabtree is playing far better....Peacock isn't even fully match fit!! Plus Shenton had a poor game, plenty more better form centres in SL right now....some of the selections were just odd.
Still, overall...very good event from the marketing point all the way to the match itself....crowd were so quiet it drained some of the atmosphere..but overall defo worth keeping this match in the rugby league season going forward. Well done RFL.'"
I disagree on your four nations point although i understand where you are coming from. Its actually irrelevant that is wales or in fact that the exiles would be more competitive. We have at last one part of the international structure correct and that is if you are at the correct level of european or pacific rugby league you can qualify for the four nations if you win the relevant comp. That gives us so much in terms of international development its not funny. The european cup, every two years is suddenly a wonderful, competitive and meaningful competition. We've never had that and to throw it away would be suicide.
I enjoyed the exiles game and think we should co-ordinate it with the free weekend that the nrl is proposing for the mid seaon anzac test. That whole weekend should be midseason international weekend. Aus v kiwi, france v wales, ireland vs scotland, canada v yanks, lebanon vs serbia and england versus exiles. That would be a cracker of a weekend imo.
