How good an event would it be if everyone cared about it though? It would be the showpeice. At least the teams who come over care about it though.

After watching the NRL Grand Final today and laughing my way through it at the appalling standard of rugby on display, I think we should change the format of the WCC next year and play an NRL all stars team against Wigan - at least that way it will be a bit competitive

Dropped balls, forward passes, deliberate forward passes and passing straight into touch... it was like watching an under 11's game

or Saints V Leeds

Only team's that haven't won one before

Mmm, McGuire for England?

In 1987 at Central Park.

Wigan won 8-2, in one of the best games of RL I've ever seen.

I suppose the match will be played at the Reebok, as it has its local to Wigan and used by Saints on three occasions. Ewood Park would be another option.

But, should this WCC be played at a larger,more notorious venue? OT is too large and City of Manc stadium don'tlike RL roughing the turf up. So, what about Anfield?

The Reebok is a nice enough stadium and as a resident of Manchester who doesn't support Wigan I'd be inclined to go. If it was at the JJB I doubt I'dgo. However,if it was at Anfield I would definately go and I'm sure a lot of my friends who aren't into RL,but have a passing interest would definately go as well.

This is key for the RLIF now; do they play it safe - go for the Reebok, or even the JJB, where they're assured of filling the stadium by at least 75% - or do they really go for it? Do they try to harness both the enthusiasm and immense numbers of the Wigan fans, and the name of Anfield to draw in impartial supporters and try to draw an attendance comparable to Leeds first WCC at Elland Road?

Wigan are the biggest club in the country at the moment. They should be pushing to beat Leeds' 30k WCC crowds IMO. Can't do that at the DW. So either Blackburn, Everton or Liverpool.

If they could get Old Trafford and close the upper tiers then that would also be good. Reckon they could get 40k there at least just for the fact of it being Old Trafford.

Was it as exciting as the scoreline suggests?

Aye, that's a possiblity, but you'd still have near 40k empty seats. Leeds' record was 37k,which I think Wigan should be aiming to beat.

OT gets used every year for Grand Finals whereas Anfield hasn't been used for years, so there's a bit of novelty there and its Anfield, how many folk would like the chance to go Anfield before it gets bulldozed? Anfield also has a 45k capacity, which should easily be doable with Wigan's fanbase and a legendary stadium. The prospect of a half empty OT, which is used every year might put folk off buying a ticket. A full to the brim Anfield though? I reckon that's a more exciting prospect.

I wouldn't mind if its at OT anyway, Ilive 10min walk off.

Anfield would be good too. Would be better for neutrals if it was at OT though as it's closer. And for some reason (could just be me), Anfield seems a bit more of a Saints sort of territory rather than Wigan. Plastic Scousers and all that...

Radical suggestion.

Why don't they just play this fixture at Wigans ground?

It's irrelevent where in the UK they play it.. it will still be an away fixture for the Australian side.

The only people that will go will be Wigan fans... and the usual dozen or so Aussies that live in London.

I actually can't think of any St Ge**ge footy fans I've ever seen in London anyway. I watched the Grand Final in the Walkabout and everyone was going for the Chooks

1991 WCC between Wigan and Penrith was played at Anfield. I get what you mean though.

Because they could probably get a bigger crowd than the DW holds?

I'll ignore the rest of your "look at me, I need attention" stuff that you usually type...

You see a few St George shirts at Knowsley Rd quite often...

I think the rules stimpulate that the match has to be played at a neutral venue. Plus, its a cup final, so if any respectability of the fixture is to be retained it needs tobe played at a neutral venue. Its also a big money spinner and media grabber. There's a strong chance that,if its done properly, the match should attract a very, very good crowd. If its kept in Wigan or one of the smaller venues then a smaller crowd is to be expected. Think big and the big crowd will come (like Leeds at Elland Rd). For example, will many Saints fans turn up to the match if its at Wigan or will they turn up in larger numbers with their St George shirts on if it was at Anfield?

I've gone to Elland Rd to watch Leeds and Galpharm to watch Bradford as a neutral supporter. If the match was at their grounds I probably wouldn't have done. A neutral venue makes it more of a spectacle and makes it easier for supporters of other local clubs to get behind the English team because it neutralises the attachment to the 'home' club and creates more of a SL vs NRL feel.

What's a 'Chook'?

The only similarity between St Ge**ge and St Helens is they both have red chevrons on their shirts and both club names start with 'ST'

Its a bit like me going for the Jamaican RL side the Duhaney Park Red Sharks... or the union sides Sale Sharks or the Natal Sharks... just because they are called 'Sharks'



Mind you maybe I should start supporting Natal Sharks... they might win more than Cronulla Sharks






A 'chook' is an Aussie slang term for a chicken... a sort of play on the name 'Roosters'

It was thrilling. An incredible atmosphere, and a match played with the ferocity, physicality and intensity of a State of Origin game; the hits were awesome.

I'll second that. I was there with a load of lads from rugby (playing days) and one of the few times, as a Saints fan, that I've been cheering for Wigan. Fantastic game at a packed Central Park. All points from the boot if I recall, but there the similarities to a game of Union ended.

So....

It finished 8 points to 2.

And there were no tries?




Jesus.....






your idea of an exciting match and mine are very different

Absolutely

My favourite memory from Central Park - what a night and what a game

Never mind Barry .......it's just unfortunate that you have so little understanding of RL, that you can only appreciate tries.

Do tell how do you keep your braincell happy?

It must be a problem when the rest of your body needs to share it!!!

Ah well

You seem to survive on very little and are so easily pleased so there you go.

Hey

If I want to watch a game that lasts for 80 mins with no tries and all the points come from the boot I'll go and watch a Union game

Probably one of the top 5 games but deffo the best Atmosphere/experience I ever saw at Central park in the 255 years I watched the game there!

If you weren't there, your opinion doesn't matter.