World Club Challenge
A lack of household names from SL is a problem and a mix between the lack of recognition given by the Aussies towards SL but mainly because the British game its self is poorly marketed by the people who run it. That doesnt mean the talent isnt there though. The SL is full of guys who would have good NRL careers.coupy73 wrote:harrigan wrote:Its in the main English RL paper that 14,000 tickets have been sold for Friday. Would have hoped for more personally. Hopefully a big push this week will get it up a few K
As an ex-pat i feel i can say that the 'thrill' of seeing 'Super leagues' best players (i.e Rhino's) for an Australian audience dose not match the thrill of seeing 'NRL's best for UK fans.
With all due respect (as they beat my team Hull KR last week) Is there one World Class superstar in the leeds team that would attract people to come.
I went to a few WCC in England to see the stars of the game play, by that i mean big name Australians who i only saw on TV.
As has been said NRL is not the number one sport in Melbourne, and is probably not the number one sport in australia contrary to many peoples thought s in UK. So the bulk of the attendance will be Storm fans, with a few loyal followers of Leeds, plus a few more ex-pat league fans. If the game is held in Leeds/huddersfield/hull/ M62. then fans would travel an hour or two from other towns to the game. so realistically i think an attendance of 14-16K would be quite good
Leeds, in my honest opinion have 3 guys who wouldnt be far off rep footy status if they were Aussie too. Kallum Watkins, Ryan Hall and Stevie Ward are all top class players. Ward especially, will become world class. He plays the game at a different speed to those around him.
Away from that though, ive said for a long time the SL isn't a poor comp. Its a good comp poorly coached. In general Aussie and British kids seem to be at a similar level until the age of around 18. Thats when your guys get the coaching that makes them excell and ours seem to develop at a slower rate.
This is just another example of our great game of Rugby League shooting itself in the foot; like it always seems to.
Poor Rugby League. We can’t even have success against Women’s AFL Footy. Our presenters are tired and old and that is how they broadcast our game.
All over the off season, the only news about the Melbourne Storm we hear is what a bad boy Cameron Munster is? I will be very very disappointed if the NRL 360o show doesn’t spend the whole hour trying to advertise the World Club Challenge.
You are right harrigan. No one in little old Melbourne town knows the Leeds players unless they watch Super League (which very few do). The Leeds boys could shit on the steps of Parliament house and no one would know who they are. The 360 program on Foxtel should have interviews with McDermott and his captain as a prelude to Fridays game.
Leeds may have the greatest players of all time but no one knows because no one is selling the game. Instead all they will talk about is State of Origin and how the Manly Salary Cap issue is going.
What a wasted opportunity.
Poor Rugby League. We can’t even have success against Women’s AFL Footy. Our presenters are tired and old and that is how they broadcast our game.
All over the off season, the only news about the Melbourne Storm we hear is what a bad boy Cameron Munster is? I will be very very disappointed if the NRL 360o show doesn’t spend the whole hour trying to advertise the World Club Challenge.
You are right harrigan. No one in little old Melbourne town knows the Leeds players unless they watch Super League (which very few do). The Leeds boys could shit on the steps of Parliament house and no one would know who they are. The 360 program on Foxtel should have interviews with McDermott and his captain as a prelude to Fridays game.
Leeds may have the greatest players of all time but no one knows because no one is selling the game. Instead all they will talk about is State of Origin and how the Manly Salary Cap issue is going.
What a wasted opportunity.
Agree Cameron. I read a great article by Ashton Sims the other day about his new club in Toronto and he mentioned how ignorant and small minded the NRL is.
The Super League is doing great things admittedly through necessity but they're breaking new barriers and their high-risk high-reward moves could pay off big time.
The Super League is doing great things admittedly through necessity but they're breaking new barriers and their high-risk high-reward moves could pay off big time.
All the NSW media mafia is interested in is State of Origin. They aren't interested in anything else.
Not growing the game. Not the overseas game. Not Super League. Not even the recent World Cup on home turf. Not even how individual teams are going. - unless they are mucking up. Yep; all that the media is interested in here in Australia is the 3 State of Origin games in the middle of each year and that's it.
It's a disgrace.
Not growing the game. Not the overseas game. Not Super League. Not even the recent World Cup on home turf. Not even how individual teams are going. - unless they are mucking up. Yep; all that the media is interested in here in Australia is the 3 State of Origin games in the middle of each year and that's it.
It's a disgrace.
Another thing that always makes me laugh is that some Aussies devalue the SL comp because lesser known Aussies who didn't make it in the NRL go over and end up looking decent. This isn't down to standard. It's mostly down to attitude. These guys are getting a second chance so they work harder and it pays off. Also, a lot of guys are younger when they come over and naturally develop over time anyway, which is what happens when you get more game time. There have been plenty of Aussie stars go over to SL and look average because of their attitude too. Thinking it'd be easy and then getting found out.
Did anyone see the Wigan v hull game in Wollongong Saturday? I honestly think souths will struggle against Wigan in Sydney this weekend.
Did anyone see the Wigan v hull game in Wollongong Saturday? I honestly think souths will struggle against Wigan in Sydney this weekend.
The Storm media arm are trying their hardest to advertise the game on Twitter. But they are getting no hope from the mainstream.
They have had a press conference at Eureka Tower and about 10 of the mainstream press turned up. There is quite literally none of this anywhere but the Club twittier account!!!!
https://twitter.com/storm/status/962899 ... gr%5Etweet
Brian McDermott (@leedsrhinos Coach): “The travel hasn’t been a factor. It’s a concept we should keep and progress.” #WCCStormRhinos #purplepride
Kallum Watkins (@leedsrhinos Captain): “It’s a pleasure to be here, we’re really looking forward to it. It’s a big opportunity.” #WCCStormRhinos #purplepride
Melbourne StormVerified account @storm · 24m24 minutes ago
@camsmith9: “The Word Club Challenge is just as important as the other big matches I’ve played in my career” #WCCStormRhinos #purplepride
Craig Bellamy on his Croft/Jacks halves decision for Friday night: “I’m right on the fence at the minute” #WCCStormRhinos #purplepride
They have had a press conference at Eureka Tower and about 10 of the mainstream press turned up. There is quite literally none of this anywhere but the Club twittier account!!!!
https://twitter.com/storm/status/962899 ... gr%5Etweet
Brian McDermott (@leedsrhinos Coach): “The travel hasn’t been a factor. It’s a concept we should keep and progress.” #WCCStormRhinos #purplepride
Kallum Watkins (@leedsrhinos Captain): “It’s a pleasure to be here, we’re really looking forward to it. It’s a big opportunity.” #WCCStormRhinos #purplepride
Melbourne StormVerified account @storm · 24m24 minutes ago
@camsmith9: “The Word Club Challenge is just as important as the other big matches I’ve played in my career” #WCCStormRhinos #purplepride
Craig Bellamy on his Croft/Jacks halves decision for Friday night: “I’m right on the fence at the minute” #WCCStormRhinos #purplepride
Storm coach Craig Bellamy is eyeing history to hold every available trophy in the game.
They’ll become the first team to hold all three trophies since the Sydney Roosters finishing first and won the premiership in 2013, then defeated Wigan in the subsequent WCC match.
The other teams to achieve the three-peat include St George Illawarra (2010-11), Bradford Bulls (2001-02), Brisbane (1997-98 and 1992), Wigan (1993-94 and 1986-87), Widnes (1988-89) and Eastern Suburbs (1975-76).
They’ll become the first team to hold all three trophies since the Sydney Roosters finishing first and won the premiership in 2013, then defeated Wigan in the subsequent WCC match.
The other teams to achieve the three-peat include St George Illawarra (2010-11), Bradford Bulls (2001-02), Brisbane (1997-98 and 1992), Wigan (1993-94 and 1986-87), Widnes (1988-89) and Eastern Suburbs (1975-76).
https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/ ... ark-smith/
WORLD CLUB SERIES
Make your mark: Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith has urged his younger teammates to make the Downer World Club Challenge stage their own on Friday night.
Melbourne Storm have an opportunity to be crowned the best rugby league team in the world and the skipper is determined to not let it slip through his side’s grasp.
There will be plenty of intrigue around the make-up of the Storm 17, given four players have moved in since last year’s Grand Final victory.
The Downer World Club Challenge has in the past been a place for emerging talent to come to the fore. This happened most recently in 2013 when Tohu Harris burst onto the scene with a try against Leeds in his first ever game in in the purple jersey – he then went on to enjoy a distinguished 117 game career with Melbourne.
Cameron Smith says a great opportunity awaits for Storm's young talent to shine on the big stage again.
“There’s going to be an opportunity on Friday for a couple of guys to play in their first big game,” Smith said.
“We will be looking for some younger guys to step up again.
“If you allude to players like Curtis Scott, Josh Addo-Carr, Suliasi Vunivalu, I think they are all very much looking forward to this game.
“This is now a new season, they are into their second or third year in the elite competition so they should be looking to mark their mark on this match.”
Storm’s established stars are also set to be fit and firing on Friday night.
Despite experiencing a shorter than usual preparation for this game on the back of the World Cup, the likes of Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Will Chambers will all be ready to run out onto AAMI Park.
“They have all come back in really good shape,” Craig Bellamy said.
“It is just about getting a bit of contact under their belt and knowing how we want to play this year, getting the newer players used to them and vice versa.
WORLD CLUB SERIES
Make your mark: Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith has urged his younger teammates to make the Downer World Club Challenge stage their own on Friday night.
Melbourne Storm have an opportunity to be crowned the best rugby league team in the world and the skipper is determined to not let it slip through his side’s grasp.
There will be plenty of intrigue around the make-up of the Storm 17, given four players have moved in since last year’s Grand Final victory.
The Downer World Club Challenge has in the past been a place for emerging talent to come to the fore. This happened most recently in 2013 when Tohu Harris burst onto the scene with a try against Leeds in his first ever game in in the purple jersey – he then went on to enjoy a distinguished 117 game career with Melbourne.
Cameron Smith says a great opportunity awaits for Storm's young talent to shine on the big stage again.
“There’s going to be an opportunity on Friday for a couple of guys to play in their first big game,” Smith said.
“We will be looking for some younger guys to step up again.
“If you allude to players like Curtis Scott, Josh Addo-Carr, Suliasi Vunivalu, I think they are all very much looking forward to this game.
“This is now a new season, they are into their second or third year in the elite competition so they should be looking to mark their mark on this match.”
Storm’s established stars are also set to be fit and firing on Friday night.
Despite experiencing a shorter than usual preparation for this game on the back of the World Cup, the likes of Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Will Chambers will all be ready to run out onto AAMI Park.
“They have all come back in really good shape,” Craig Bellamy said.
“It is just about getting a bit of contact under their belt and knowing how we want to play this year, getting the newer players used to them and vice versa.
LEEDS RHINOS HAVE BEEN WARNED THE ODDS ARE STACKED AGAINST THEM BUT CAPTAIN KALLUM WATKINS IS DETERMINED TO SEE HIS SIDE CROWNED THE BEST CLUB IN THE WORLD.
The Betfred Super League champions have flown 12,000 miles into an Australia summer to take on Melbourne Storm in Friday’s 2018 World Club Challenge at AAMI Park.
Huddersfield Giants forward Ryan Hinchcliffe, who was a World Club Challenge winner on English soil with Melbourne, believes Leeds will have the advantage of being battle hardened from their opening two league games but expects them to come away from Australia empty handed.
“It’s a tough gig for Leeds to go out there in those conditions and on a dry track,” said Hinchcliffe, who made 177 appearances for the Storm from 2009-2015.
“There haven’t been many dry tracks over here in the last couple of months.
“It will be a great experience for those players to play in that game. AAMI Park is an unbelievable stadium to play in.
“Having played a couple of games definitely helps you without a doubt.
“Leeds play a pretty expansive style of game, they like to throw the ball around so the drier conditions might help them.
“But I think the Melbourne Storm will win it. They were probably 20 per cent better than any other team in the NRL last year to be honest. They’re a formidable outfit and they’ll be very keen to win this game.”
The Rhinos, who flew out in three groups after their win over Hull KR last Thursday, had their first full day of training in Melbourne on Monday with a morning weights session, followed by a field session in the afternoon.
Sandwiched in between, Watkins spoke of his team’s ambitions at the official launch alongside Melbourne captain Cameron Smith, who confirmed his intention to play in Friday’s game.
“It’s massive opportunity for us,” Watkins said. “Obviously it’s a short trip but we’ve got to make the most of it.
“The roles are switched with us travelling over this time. There’s challenges, certain things that go against us but we can’t make that an excuse.
“There’s an opportunity to be the best club in the world. We’re really excited for that opportunity.”
Watkins is delighted that Smith will play in the match, alongside full-back Billy Slater and centre Will Chambers, who were all in the Kangaroos team that beat England 6-0 in the World Cup final in December.
“We want them all to play,” Watkins said. “We want to battle with the best players. We’re not a bad bunch ourselves.”
http://www.rugby-league.com/article/518 ... pportunity
The Betfred Super League champions have flown 12,000 miles into an Australia summer to take on Melbourne Storm in Friday’s 2018 World Club Challenge at AAMI Park.
Huddersfield Giants forward Ryan Hinchcliffe, who was a World Club Challenge winner on English soil with Melbourne, believes Leeds will have the advantage of being battle hardened from their opening two league games but expects them to come away from Australia empty handed.
“It’s a tough gig for Leeds to go out there in those conditions and on a dry track,” said Hinchcliffe, who made 177 appearances for the Storm from 2009-2015.
“There haven’t been many dry tracks over here in the last couple of months.
“It will be a great experience for those players to play in that game. AAMI Park is an unbelievable stadium to play in.
“Having played a couple of games definitely helps you without a doubt.
“Leeds play a pretty expansive style of game, they like to throw the ball around so the drier conditions might help them.
“But I think the Melbourne Storm will win it. They were probably 20 per cent better than any other team in the NRL last year to be honest. They’re a formidable outfit and they’ll be very keen to win this game.”
The Rhinos, who flew out in three groups after their win over Hull KR last Thursday, had their first full day of training in Melbourne on Monday with a morning weights session, followed by a field session in the afternoon.
Sandwiched in between, Watkins spoke of his team’s ambitions at the official launch alongside Melbourne captain Cameron Smith, who confirmed his intention to play in Friday’s game.
“It’s massive opportunity for us,” Watkins said. “Obviously it’s a short trip but we’ve got to make the most of it.
“The roles are switched with us travelling over this time. There’s challenges, certain things that go against us but we can’t make that an excuse.
“There’s an opportunity to be the best club in the world. We’re really excited for that opportunity.”
Watkins is delighted that Smith will play in the match, alongside full-back Billy Slater and centre Will Chambers, who were all in the Kangaroos team that beat England 6-0 in the World Cup final in December.
“We want them all to play,” Watkins said. “We want to battle with the best players. We’re not a bad bunch ourselves.”
http://www.rugby-league.com/article/518 ... pportunity
The comments regarding the best player in the SL or NRL was not a dig at the playing ability or talents. as we saw from the recent world cup there is not a lot between the best in SL (with a few NRL i there!!) or the best in NRL. I think followers of SL (and i was one of them for most of my life) put the NRL and its players up on a pedestal and as such Aussies respond to that by belittling the SL.
Take the three Leeds players you mentioned, go to the heartland of rugby league in Australia, say western Sydney and show die hard rugby fans a picture of them and ask them to name them. even here i dont think you would get too many correct answers.
Do the same in Leeds/Hull/Wigan with pictures of Billy Slater or Cameron Smith and i think the results would be different.
Also any youth/adult teams training in UK and bet a number would be wearing south/roosters/penrith/eels gear. dont think the same of training over here would be wearing SL training gear (unless they are ex-pats).
I have no doubt that the top 4 or even top 6 teams in SL would hold there own in NRL but after that the qulaity (including Hull KR!) drops off.
Take the three Leeds players you mentioned, go to the heartland of rugby league in Australia, say western Sydney and show die hard rugby fans a picture of them and ask them to name them. even here i dont think you would get too many correct answers.
Do the same in Leeds/Hull/Wigan with pictures of Billy Slater or Cameron Smith and i think the results would be different.
Also any youth/adult teams training in UK and bet a number would be wearing south/roosters/penrith/eels gear. dont think the same of training over here would be wearing SL training gear (unless they are ex-pats).
I have no doubt that the top 4 or even top 6 teams in SL would hold there own in NRL but after that the qulaity (including Hull KR!) drops off.
Agree, I just saw a Leeds player walking around Melbourne City. I thought he was a player because he was in a Leeds polo top and was 6ft 3 and built like a barn door. But it could have been anyone. Because their profile is fairly low here in Australia. That might change if they beat Melbourne on Friday night.
Key talking points from the Yorkshire Post.
https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/ ... -1-9011766
LEEDS RHINOS are in Australia preparing for Friday’s World Club Challenge against Melbourne Storm. They have two Betfred Super League wins under their belt, but face a much sterner test this week. Here are five talking points: Adam Cuthbertson scores his side's first try against Hull KR.
1: If Leeds turn over as much ball at AAMI Stadium as they did at Elland Road it is likely to be a long night. Rhinos made a succession of handling errors against Rovers and not all of them could be blamed on the difficult conditions. Looking for Valentine’s Day Inspiration? Look no further We consulted the money-saving experts at Ice for their tips on how to treat your sweetheart in fine fashion on the most romantic day of the year. Read More Promoted by Ice
2: That said, they restricted Hull KR to just two tries, coming back-to-back midway through the first half and generally their goalline defence was, for the second successive game, very good. If they defend like that this week they will give themselves a chance, but the attack needs to be much sharper.
3: Rhinos are lacking size for the big game. An injury curse has struck in the front-row with Anthony Mullally ruled out after suffering a fractured finger against Rovers. He joins props Keith Galloway (Achilles), Mitch Garbutt (dead leg) Nathaniel Peteru (biceps) and Mikolaj Oledzki (shoulder) on the casualty list, along with back-rower Brett Ferres (knee).
4: Jimmy Keinhorst would be in the 17 every week at most teams. The centre/second-rower – who scored a hat-trick last Thursday – is skilful, a good finisher and strong in defence. He is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench against Storm, with Liam Sutcliffe reverting to centre and Joel Moon returning at stand-off, but deserves his place.
5: Rhinos have lacked a specialist goal kicker since Kevin Sinfield’s retirement. Kallum Watkins seemed to filled the void, but after he missed two kicks from four against Warrington, Richie Myler took over at Elland Road, with similar results.
https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/ ... -1-9011766
LEEDS RHINOS are in Australia preparing for Friday’s World Club Challenge against Melbourne Storm. They have two Betfred Super League wins under their belt, but face a much sterner test this week. Here are five talking points: Adam Cuthbertson scores his side's first try against Hull KR.
1: If Leeds turn over as much ball at AAMI Stadium as they did at Elland Road it is likely to be a long night. Rhinos made a succession of handling errors against Rovers and not all of them could be blamed on the difficult conditions. Looking for Valentine’s Day Inspiration? Look no further We consulted the money-saving experts at Ice for their tips on how to treat your sweetheart in fine fashion on the most romantic day of the year. Read More Promoted by Ice
2: That said, they restricted Hull KR to just two tries, coming back-to-back midway through the first half and generally their goalline defence was, for the second successive game, very good. If they defend like that this week they will give themselves a chance, but the attack needs to be much sharper.
3: Rhinos are lacking size for the big game. An injury curse has struck in the front-row with Anthony Mullally ruled out after suffering a fractured finger against Rovers. He joins props Keith Galloway (Achilles), Mitch Garbutt (dead leg) Nathaniel Peteru (biceps) and Mikolaj Oledzki (shoulder) on the casualty list, along with back-rower Brett Ferres (knee).
4: Jimmy Keinhorst would be in the 17 every week at most teams. The centre/second-rower – who scored a hat-trick last Thursday – is skilful, a good finisher and strong in defence. He is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench against Storm, with Liam Sutcliffe reverting to centre and Joel Moon returning at stand-off, but deserves his place.
5: Rhinos have lacked a specialist goal kicker since Kevin Sinfield’s retirement. Kallum Watkins seemed to filled the void, but after he missed two kicks from four against Warrington, Richie Myler took over at Elland Road, with similar results.