Rugby League

[Nicko58]

Are there any fans on here?

Leigh Centurions are getting a right royal welcome back to the Super League tonight. I don't hold out much hope for the second half either.

[Nicko58]

Well, they didn't disgrace themselves after the interval. That's something to build on at least.

[Worthy4England]

As a contributor to the Rugby Union thread - yes. the parochial thought that there's "Us or them" was always doomed to failure.

Watched Swinton home and a until the day they moved out of Swinton.

Enjoy both codes.

Feel a bit sorry for Leigh from the time they should have gone up, but there was no promotion/relegation that year.

Baptism of fire tonight.

[jimbo]

Didn't watch The game last night but was happy with how saints started on Thursday. Important year ahead after treading water for the last 2 seasons

[Nicko58]

What a fantastic game of rugby that was. If Keinhorst had failed to make that cover tackle on the edge of Leeds' goal line, Leigh would probably have edged it. Play like that every week and that first win will soon come.

[jimbo]

Thought the game was ok. It was close but fairly low on quality. Fair play to Leigh though for giving it a good go. Leeds look so so poor though compared to the other big teams. The depth in the forwards isn't there and I'm not convinced their half backs are quite what they were.

Saints forwards should have enough next week to overcome Leigh but we'll see!

[Nicko58]

Thought the game was ok. It was close but fairly low on quality. Fair play to Leigh though for giving it a good go. Leeds look so so poor though compared to the other big teams. The depth in the forwards isn't there and I'm not convinced their half backs are quite what they were.

Saints forwards should have enough next week to overcome Leigh but we'll see!

Fair point. It wasn't one for the purists but it was entertaining all the same. I expect the likes of St Helens, Castleford and Wigan will be a cut above.

[Nicko58]

What a brilliant result for the Centurions. Sorry, jimbo.

[Prufrock]

Belting game on BBC and two ludicrous takes from Ryan Hall.

[Nicko58]

The second semi is shaping up quite nicely too.

[Prufrock]

Well this has been a better contest than expected! Imagine we'll get way now but didn't expect it to be level after 25 mins.

[jimbo]

Really poor by England today. Not a fan of hodgson or widdop, and gale looked poor again in a big game. Add to the fact that we've got no left sided attack due to having Bateman at centre we're so easy to defend against.

[Prufrock]

Yeah was an entertaining game but we're 3rd best again. Comfortably. Was expecting fireworks from Gale but hasn't happened.

[Prufrock]

World cup final!

No expectations.

[TANGODANCER]

I know absolutely nothing of the rules of this game, but for me, the best team lost. Valiant effort from England, they gave everything right to the end. Smashing game. Tough luck lads.

[Prufrock]

Really good watch, enthralling, brutal stuff. Really hard to take on a game no one have us a chance in. Just the very very fine margins we came out the wrong side of.

[TANGODANCER]

Really good watch, enthralling, brutal stuff. Really hard to take on a game no one have us a chance in. Just the very very fine margins we came out the wrong side of.

At least the Oz can't crow too much about that one....bet they will though..

[jimbo]

Same old story with us lacking so much composure and execution in their 20metres. Gale was horribly out of his depth and made some poor decisions, while Tom Burgess is just far too error prone for the game that Bennett wants us to play.

We got closer than we have been for a long time, but my enduring feelings are still frustration at missed opportunities and poor selection. Having Bateman at left centre rendered the whole left side of our attack impotent for the whole tournament. Picking a genuine left centre would have given us far more balance in attack and could have been the difference in the final.

[jimbo]

The main hope from today is it gives more meaning to international RL in Australians eyes. At the moment it's a distant third behind origin and the NRL. Getting some regular test series against Australia is a must for growing the game.

[Prufrock]

See Kenneth has managed to get a few more pennies through the door.

Both Challenge Cup semis will be held at the 'Bok.

Not sure I like the idea that the teams will "graduate" to Old Trafford, mind.