Jillaroos Demolish the Ferns to Win Third Consecutive World Final : Sat Nov 19, 2022 3:02 pm  

Jillaroos Demolish the Ferns to Win Third Consecutive World Final The first of the World Cup double header at Old Trafford in Manchester saw a lunchtime kick-off between Australia and New Zealand as New Zealand looked to overcome their narrow two-point loss in the group stages and claim a fourth World title after being defeated by Australia on the last two occasions. Both sides made changes to their semi-final line-ups, Australia´s being wholesale while the Ferns switched just two of their players who defeated England in the semi-final. It was a game between the sides ranked as first and second in the World, the bookies favouring a Jillaroos win and the first part of a Saturday afternoon Aussie double, but the Kiwi Ferns would give everything that they had to lift the trophy. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

Jillaroos Demolish the Ferns to Win Third Consecutive World Final The first of the World Cup double header at Old Trafford in Manchester saw a lunchtime kick-off between Australia and New Zealand as New Zealand looked to overcome their narrow two-point loss in the group stages and claim a fourth World title after being defeated by Australia on the last two occasions. Both sides made changes to their semi-final line-ups, Australia´s being wholesale while the Ferns switched just two of their players who defeated England in the semi-final. It was a game between the sides ranked as first and second in the World, the bookies favouring a Jillaroos win and the first part of a Saturday afternoon Aussie double, but the Kiwi Ferns would give everything that they had to lift the trophy. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

Australia World Champions Again As They Tame Samoa : Sat Nov 19, 2022 5:49 pm  

Australia World Champions Again As They Tame Samoa The final game of a great tournament, the last competitive game of the 2022, season and the World Cup Final pitched the hottest of hot favourites Australia against rank outsiders, underdogs and surprised finalists Samoa. Australia were unchanged from the side which beat New Zealand in the semi-final while Samoa made a number of enforced and tactical changes as they looked to peak in the most important game of their lives. Australia had been handicapped by fourteen points on the coupon, but it would be a foolish person who underestimated a Samoan side that was packed full of NRL superstars, all of whom were dedicated and determined to spring one of the biggest rugby league surprises of all time. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

Australia World Champions Again As They Tame Samoa The final game of a great tournament, the last competitive game of the 2022, season and the World Cup Final pitched the hottest of hot favourites Australia against rank outsiders, underdogs and surprised finalists Samoa. Australia were unchanged from the side which beat New Zealand in the semi-final while Samoa made a number of enforced and tactical changes as they looked to peak in the most important game of their lives. Australia had been handicapped by fourteen points on the coupon, but it would be a foolish person who underestimated a Samoan side that was packed full of NRL superstars, all of whom were dedicated and determined to spring one of the biggest rugby league surprises of all time. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

Re: 2022 | RL World Cup : Sun Nov 20, 2022 3:56 pm  

Very disappointing end for England and the fact people can make coherent cases for selecting Sneyd and Ackers in the final sums up our lack of real depth and class.

Shame NZ could not do the Aussies in the semi. It might have given them a rattle to get interested again in test football.

Last time England/ GB played Aussies was 2017 World Cup final. With no game next year, it will be 2024 at the earliest. The gap could end up being longer than that between tests during Second World War. It’s a vey sad state of affairs.

One positive note was the phenomenal efforts once again of Sinfield as he moves closer to a knighthood.

Re: 2022 | RL World Cup : Sun Nov 20, 2022 10:02 pm  

I went to the final and it was an enjoyable afternoon/evening.

Australia are an incredibly disciplined and ruthless side. They score when they have the chance and they have a really good defensive shape and effort.

One thing that stood out for me from the game is something I have seen a lot of over the last couple of years is the number of defending players in the tackle and if those players are all really having an impact on the tackle. The simple answer is no not all of those players are impacting the tackle. On almost every tackle australia have three players in the tackle, the third player very rarely is making a tackle, rather adding weight and slowing the play the ball down. The defensive line then resets and it becomes rinse and repeat.

Wild idea I know but I think the way we look at flopping needs to be addressed. I actually would prefer a rule that the number of players in the tackle must all stand at marker which would in theory make more space out wide. Overall I just felt the play the ball and ability to create any kind of momentum was stopped and to people not overtly familiar with the rules it does make watching a bit more difficult.

But congrats to australia a very good and disciplined team that I really don’t think England would have got anywhere near.