Video game review: Rugby League Manager 2008

Rugby League Manager 2008

RRP: £0.00Creator: Alex Thomas
Website: www.rugbyleaguemanager.com

Its not everyday we are treated to two RL games in the same year. In fact its not every year we get a Rugby League game to shout about, so count your lucky stars we have what we're given to us no matter how poor they might be.

Rugby League Manager 2008 comes in on the back of the latest of Sidhe's popular but flawed Rugby League franchise, Rugby League: World Cup Edition. The review can be seen below this one. However the two games are completely different, in that RLM08 allows you to be the coach of any Super League side competing in the 2008 season as opposed to being the players ala FIFA. RLM08 is the equivalent to Football Manager, in more ways than one I believe. But the uniqueness of RLM08 is that the game is completely free via download. That's right, the game will cost you nothing to download and play. Isn't that a bonus?

Well possibly, right? Those of you that were unfortunate enough to play Championship Rugby Manager way back in 2000 will remember how poor that game was. Only in that game could Wakefield rack up 70 points against Saints, but still manage to concede over 50. Its what really let that game down, so much so I failed to get past June of the first season without giving up on it at any given point in the past eight years. The commentary was very stop/start and the matches consisted of a bird's eye view of an over sized ball moving about a rugby pitch on its own. But away from the in-game experience, the rest of the game was average at best with decent menus, presentation and human interactivity. It was fairly easy to play until game day, but even then nothing in that weeks build up to a match made up for the poor experience. And don't forget, we had to pay for that torture. So imagine my concern and hesitation when RLM08 came out for free.

But imagine my relief and joy when it turned out to be pretty decent. In fact, I could not get away from the laptop because it was so good. The presentation and display looked good despite the initial complications in selecting your team from the left side menu. Once you get round the user-unfriendliness of that left menu that is standard throughout the game and understand that it works similar to the My Computer sidebar on Windows Vista, the game becomes easier to use. In fact I would recommend playing with the sidebar and familiarising yourself with it to find out what features are where before really getting stuck into the game itself, therefore maximising your initial enjoyment instead of giving up if your a a novice to PC gaming. Past the menu though, the game is easy to play and understand. Information such as players names, attributes and other details are clearly displayed and include a wide range of skills that goes into quite a bit of detail. Selecting your team is easy enough although repetitive. Despite being scrapped mid-2008, the 20 man and 18 man squads are still needed which means you are selecting your team three times before the actual match. Possibly a bonus if you realise you want to make a few adjustments to the starting team after picking your initial squad but often a little annoying if nothing happens during the week.

RLM08 goes into more detail tactically than what CRM did. It allows more advanced moves on the field when players have played with each other more often over the course of the season. This often results in convincing wins, but not all the time. Take heed in selecting your squad for the next game after using advanced tactics, as one of the game's major bugs is it will freeze as you try to select your next 20-man squad.
Unlike RL2: WCE, you have the choice of selecting National League and NRL players to transfer and sell. While selecting Billy Slater and Benji Marshall sounds like heaven, the salary cap puts that idea to bed unless you have a forward pack of kids on £300 a week.

Once you have selected your team, its game time. Possibly the best aspect of the game. Its very similar to Football Manager's old 2-D birds eye view. Presentation is slick, clear and if you select the right options it can go into quite a bit of detail into how well your team is performing. Score lines are realistic and often the three-quarters score the tries. Theres a million and one different options to assess how your team is playing, which really makes this game what it is. A quality programmed game made by one man in his study, possibly on a laptop.

If this game were to be made by a professional studio with a few improvements, it would be one of the best games in the UK market.

Graphics – 7/10

Gameplay – 8/10

Sound – 3/10

Presentation – 8/10

Overall – 7/10

The First Annual A Tap on the Twenty Awards 2008

As promised, the second batch of A Tap on the Twenty awards are being presented. These awards cover the entire 2008 season, including both Super League and NRL, from State of Origin to the successful World Cup. Every big game was covered, and therefore from a wide selection of games, the following awards were presented.

The Unofficial 'Reg Reagan Bring Back The Biff' Award: Eric Grothe V Justin Hodges (State of Origin 3)
Try of the Year: Mark Gasnier V New Zealand (May 2008)
Hit of the Year: Josh Perry on Ben Ross (Manly V Cronulla, March 2008)
Match of the Year: Brisbane V Melbourne, NRL finals week 2. (September 2008)
Special Recognition Award: Papua New Guinea
Biggest Disappointment of the Year: England
Team of the Year: Queensland
A Tap on the Twenty's Player of the Year: Brett Webb (Leeds Rhinos)

Video game review: RL2 WC Edition.

Rugby League 2: World Cup Edition.

RRP: £24.46

Developer: Sidhe Interactive

Publisher (UK): Alternative Software.

Rugby League 2 was released on the back of the original title back in 2005. Sidhe exposed many flaws in the original and went about to rectify the situation. Despite it still not matching up to EA’s Rugby franchise it was still an improvement non-the-less. Now Sidhe have come up with another version of the game, only this time don’t get your hopes up.

Rugby League 2: World Cup Edition is almost a carbon copy of the second instalment in the franchise. The biggest difference isn’t gameplay or graphics; it is merely an up-to-date version of the 2005 sequel including the 2008 World Cup competition format with official teams and player names up to the 2008 season. Franchise Mode, NRL and Super League seasons remain along with State of Origin, Four Nations (OK, the last one was Tri Nations but similar competition format applies), City V Country etc, its all still there and all fully licenced. Although there are extras to unlock, most are not worth buying a £25 game for and videos last for roughly a minute.

Franchise Mode is still pretty much the same as it was last time round. You still cannot buy Billy Slater, Greg Inglis and co if you play as Wigan, Saints or any other English side. Likewise, West Tigers fans won’t be able to see what Gareth Ellis looks like in their 2008 jersey. However, Craven Park and Stade Gilbert Brutus have been added along with Twickenham Stoop, Gold Coast’s Skilled Park and Browne Park in Rockhampton. However despite the game being the official game of the RLWC, amazingly the Telstra Dome doesn’t feature where Australia trounced England in Melbourne. Even under the unofficial name of Dockland Stadium it fails to get a mention. It seems little details like this make the game worse than what it really is.

Another example is Catalan still play at the Stade Aimé Giral under default settings and Harlequins still play at Griffin Park. For a 2008 version, they are rather not needed but it’s nice to have them in all the same. Surely it isn’t difficult to make sure attention to detail is accurate. Even Headingley’s Carnegie Stand is not included in the game, having completed construction two years ago in reality. Therefore the game feels rushed, unfinished and, dare I say it, unprofessional.

As ever, Channel Nine’s Andrew Voss takes to the commentary box alone, which sort of makes his commentary seem a bit stop-start. It doesn’t really flow and neither is it any accureate for that matter. Often a hooker passes to the second row and the commentary line is “the second row...passes to...the hooker”. But despite that, the sound isn’t really the worst aspect of this game, but neither is it worth shouting about.

There are some good features to this game, but you have to look hard to find them. For a start the graphics do look a lot cleaner and polished. There is more colour to them than in the last title making it brighter and somehow more of an arcade game than a full on simulator. That said, Sidhe have always wanted this franchise to be enjoyed by more than just a hard core fan base. However this makes the game more enjoyable in a small aspect. In addition to colourful graphics is the tiny but noticeable improvement of the handling. I’m not talking about individual player’s ball handling skill attributes here, I mean how the game feels to control an player. Sidhe have made it faster flowing, but over all the gameplay is only slightly better. Sidhe have limited the amount of times a player “skates” while turning around, so to speak. Therefore the player sliding backwards into touch like he is on Dancing on Ice after collecting the ball is not seen as often, and wingers and fullbacks have even started to leave the ball when it is going into touch. But this can be a bit annoying when the opposition has kicked a 40/20. Another neat addition is the ability to slide the defence around the field and even compress them to bunch around the play the ball area.

The developers have finally read the rule book and allowed advantage to the defending side after a knock on, even if the defending team automatically knocks on straight after. This was one of the standout issues with Rugby League 2 and thankfully it has been eliminated. But one more serious issue remains, and that is when a player receives the ball from acting half back and intends to kick, he turn to the side as the kicking button is pressed and force you into kicking the ball as far to one side as the curser allows to gain yards. This, more often than not, results in a kick out on the full. It’s a glitch in the game that still hasn’t be ironed out and is one of the more frustrating things about the game. Also the cut scenes need re-thinking. I’m all for a bit of animation and players congratulating each other. Its much better then in the original game where there are virtually none except the try scorer moving his arms in the air like a puppet. But is there any need to the title of the game to come up in between them? The game doesn’t flow with them in and again, it’s another question about professionalism. If you look at the likes of FIFA or Pro Evo, their goal celebrations flow smoothly after a goal is scored without the pop-up title. It’s not needed and its certainty not liked.

And on that note its time to summarise. Many tiny aspects of gameplay have been improved, but the game lets itself down in presentation and attention to detail. This could have been an improvement, but instead it lacks any real sense of existence.

Graphics – 6/10

Gameplay – 7/10

Sound – 6/10

Presentation – 6/10

Overall – 6/10

The Rugby League World Cup 2008 - Was it worth it?

From an English point of view, the RL World Cup was without a doubt, a big disappointment. We sent our team off thinking we had a squad capable of beating Australia on their day. As it turns out, we struggled to perform in every game. But overall how was the tournament for the rest of the competing nations? Was New Zealand's shock victory in the final the best thing that could have happened to the international game post-Super League? Did Fiji's excellent run over France and Ireland show there is talent outside the three big competing nations? Was the much anticipated match between Samoa and Tonga in Penrith resurrect the idea of a Pacific Nations Cup for good? What are the implications of the tournament and how will be benifits be seen in the future?

Financially the World Cup was a huge success, making (IIRC) a profit of five million Australian dollars. Many critics at the time said this was largely down to TV money and not ticket sales or merchandising. Frankly, who cares? We now know there is a huge international audience out there and that TV companies are willing to splash the cash in order to show Rugby League. As a result, future international TV deals in the UK and Australia will no longer be sold by the domestic governing bodies. The RLIF, and rightly so, will begin the sell the international game so the money can go straight into the their pocket as soon as the current domestic deals are re-spawned. This is something that FIFA, IRB and ICC have been doing for years for their major international tournaments respectively.

On the playing side, the majority of games were very competitive with only six games where one team really ran away with the games. Thats less than in the 2000 tournament (14 one sided games) and 10 games less than in the pool stages of the 2007 Rugby Union World Cup. The highest winning margin of any game was 52-0 in the second semi final between Australia and Fiji. Australia also scored 52 points against England. There were also a few shock scorelines outside the "big three" nations. Papua New Guinea gave England a fright while few predicted Fiji to beat France in the manner in which they did. As a result, Fiji progressed on points difference despite a close and exciting game against Scotland while France lay at the bottom of Group B. Arguably they were the most disappointing team to come away from the World Cup especially as they are competing in the 2009 Four Nations. Ireland did the British Isles proud after topping their group, again on points difference, and competing well against a good Fijian side in the semi final qualifier. Scotland also earned their first ever World Cup win over Fiji. Papua New Guinea were also earnt the RL world's respect after challenging all the "big three" nations and never showing remorse despite the lack of hight profile experience. Overall, whatever the score line I believe the neutral fan was never let down with the product offered.

So overall the World Cup was a success. Commercially, people in Australia were made aware there was a World Cup on their door step despite their supposd poor attutude to any sort of sport beyond October (unless its Cricket) with the total attendance being short of 300K at precisly 293, 965. Thats a average attendance of 16, 331 which is pretty much equel to an average NRL attendance last season (16, 317). In which case no one can complain they're wern't any eager supporters to watch a thrilling and excitable World Cup.

NEW Super League Play Off format announced.

The RFL have announced the format which will decide the two Grand Finalists for 2009 and beyond. To say it is innovative is an understatement.

To summarise this top eight system quickly, the first two weeks of the four week format is basically a carbon copy of the AFL Aussie Rules finals system currently in place. The top four face each other while the bottom four also play off against one another like so, using the Super League XIII final standings as examples of how this might work ;

St Helens V Wigan
Leeds V Catalan
Bradford V Wakefield
Warrington V Hull KR

The losers of the teams that finished in the bottom four of the play offs are eliminated. The winners progress to week two, where they will face the losers of the top four contested matches. The winners of these matches advance straight to week three where they will have a week off.

In the second week, the top two losers will play at home to the bottom two winners, a bit like this if results went the way they are expected to.

Wigan V Bradford
Catalan V Warrington

The losers will be eliminated while the winners would wait for the highest ranked team that won their top four play off match to decide who to play at their home ground. Thats right, the highest ranked team gets to decide which of the two Preliminary Semi Finalists winners they will play for a chance to appear at Old Trafford. The scenario may look a bit like this;

St Helens V Bradford
Leeds V Catalan

Or you may see this;

St Helens V Catalan
Leeds V Bradford

Either way, the losers of both games are eliminated and Saints will still lose to Leeds at Old Trafford.

So what are the thoughts on the new system? Like I said, its certainly innovative. No other sport will use it in a rush that's for certain. Going off the previous system, it seemed it disadvantaged the team who won the Qualifying Semi Final. St Helens won both in 2007 and 2008 but lost the Grand Final to the same opponents Leeds two weeks later on each occasion. The new method will see both Grand Finalists play a crucial game a week before the final, giving top four team one week rest maximum. And this format certainly plays advantage to the top four within the first week. The winners take the week off, while the losers get the second bite of the cherry. It also give the highest ranked winning team in week one a huge advantage in the Qualifying Semi Finals as they choose who their opponents are. While they can't select the other winner of the top four week one match, they can decide who to face from the two Preliminary Semi Finals, which adds spice to that particular match. Basically what the team who chooses is saying, we think you are an easy passage to the Grand Final. Any decent team will see that as motivation, and to go on someone else's patch and win such a game will be more than rewarding.

So finally we have a system that is defiantly more rewarding to the higher ranking sides. There is no doubt about that. Whether the system is feasible, supported and seen in the public domain as interesting is the big question. This is as opposed to unworkable, disliked and a case of lunatics running the asylum at Red Hall.

On a personal level, I am willing to sit on the fence until I see the format played out. I cannot wait to see it played out as I believe it will liven up the the matches in the penultimate weekend of the competition. I also want your views and opinions. Please tell me if you like or dislike the new system put into place before the new season starts in February.

The Premier League tried to copy Millennium Magic with its matches abroad idea, the RFU stole the professionalism idea from us after criticising us for it after 100 years, so you can probably bet your soul another sport will steal this idea from us as well eventually.

Can't you?

Refereeing bathes in the spotlight.

It seems referees have taken the spotlight yet again over the past few weeks. While New Zealand, and in fact the rest of the world, were celebrating an Australian demise in Brisbane, Ricky Stuart was cursing and verbally abusing World Cup final referee Ashley Klien in a hotel lobby. Australian coach, Stuart, was unhappy with Klein's performance in the final while the rest of the 52,000 in Suncorp thought he had referees the game quite well and Australia had lost the World Cup fairly.

After such events, Stuart should resign as Australian coach as soon as possible and forever leave actions like this away from the international game. There is no place for verbal abuse at an official whether it be on the field, in the sheds or in a public place away from the stadium. A public apology is not good enough for a professional such as Stuart. He is a grown man and just because Klein is a Super League referee does not mean he should be put in the stocks. So to speak.

And on the subject of refereeing, the ARL's radical new attempt the introduce two referees on the field is gaining momentum. Yes thats right, two referees on the same field for NRL games. And while we're at it, change the play the ball to throwing it between the players legs in the middle of the field, bring the defence forward to only one yard from the "ruck", allow non ball handing attacking players to obstruct the defence and let attackers throw the ball forward.

Hang on, doesn't that sport already exist in America?

Anyway, two referees is not only pointless but also a pain in the anus. The reason we have one referee is so one man can call the decisions without consulting peers, therefore slowing the game down. Australian fans and critics have always complained about the game being slowed down, so why do they come up with ideas to make the problem worse? There is the argument that the referee has too much to look out for and gets offsides and forward passes wrong on a regular basis. But refereeing at a professional game is not difficult, as say, refereeing or umpiring any sport when assisted.

Here is the ideal scenario that the referee, touch judges, video referees and in-goal judges should follow. The man in the middle (wearing pink in Super League) focuses on the ruck and play the ball. He checks for infringement, if markers are square and correct play the balls. Touch judges check for offsides and forward passes. Both alternate tasks at half time, so one checks for offside and the other checks for forward passes. Simple. In-goal judges of course check for grounding of the ball and if a try has been scored while the video referee does the same job he has always done. While many want this technology scrapped, you must bear in mind the technology isn't getting the decisions wrong, its the person behind the red and green butons that is getting them wrong.

And on that note, there is no need for the NRL to bring in two referees. Whats Colin Love's number? Someone should let him know.

A Tap on the Twenty's RLWC08 Awards.

In the first of two award announcements this year, we award and recognise players and teams that have earned special mention during the past five weeks in the view of the makers of A Tap on the Twenty.

Try of the Tournament: Darren Lockyer V New Zealand (Final)
Hit of the Tournament: Jarryd Hayne on Darren Lockyer (Semi Final)
Player of the Tournament: Billy Slater - Australia
Team of the Tournament: Fiji
Most Courageous Team of the Tournament: Papua New Guinea
Lifetime Achievement Award: Stanley Gene
Referee of the Tournament: Steve Ganson
A Tap on the Twenty's RLWC08 Special Award: Scotland & Ireland

And now we shame those who failed to live up to their reputations at the tournament...

Sorest Loser of the Tournament: Ricky Stuart
Most Underachieving Team of the Tournament: France
Biggest Disappointment of the Tournament: England's performances in every game.
Over Hyped Player of the Tournament: Paul Wellens - England

Rugby League World Cup 2008 final review.

New Zealand 34-20 Australia
For the past nineteen years I never thought it would happen. For the past nineteen years I have seen a team in green and gold rule the roost on international RL. I have seen whitewash test series, heartbreaking test series and 64-10 test matches.


But there have been moments for joy for opposition to the so called 'elite'. 23-10 in Sydney 2006, I was present at 24-0 in Leeds 2005 and now in 2008 I saw on my magic box another historic victory.

Australia's 33 year domination came to an end on the 22nd November 2008, and with it the credibility of international Rugby League was released from its cage. But this was not a one off victory for New Zealand, this victory had been sneaking up on Australia for years to come. Ever since the introduction of Auckland Warriors in 1995, New Zealand Rugby League has been making important steps to defeat their Tasman rivals. Success was achieved and with it, a little piece of history. Until Saturday, New Zealand had never won the RL World Cup.


What surprised me early on in the game is both teams desire to play some footy. Both sides early on in their set of six offloaded in rather risky situations. From then on I knew we would have a cracking game on our hands. From then on we saw tries and plays that would keep the Harlem Globetrotters happy. Darren Lockyer's fantastic team try was a perfect example of this. Australia should have closed the game from that moment, they had the momentum going into half time and should have capitalised.


But as we all know, with an Australian loss comes excuses and talking points. We'll start with the penalty try. Should it have been given? The answer is no. Now bear with me here. I don't believe it should have been a penalty try, but it should have been a simple penalty and Joel Monaghan should have been sin binned. Chances are NZ would have scored from the set of six anyway so it may not have affected the result. But I felt that Billy Slater was in a position where there was a 50/50 chance of either Slater or Roparti contesting the ball. As we all know, a penalty try can only be given if there is 100% certainty of the attacking player scoring. In my opinion there wasn't and a penalty should have been awarded to New Zealand ten metres out.

The other talking point is the steal from Anthoney Laffranchi on Benji Marshall resulting in Jerome Roparti scoring from what looked like a knock on on first look. However, despite the cry from various fans of Marshall not having hold of the ball properly, I feel there was intent from Watmough to strip the ball and therefore a one-on-one strip is play on no matter where the ball lands. Lucky for New Zealand, it was they who picked the ball up and scored.

Australia never recovered from the penalty try despite Greg Inglis scoring in the corner with minutes of the game remaining. They panicked under 33 years of pressure and despite former Australian greats claiming that this green and gold side was the best ever, they surrendered the World Cup and New Zealand made a little piece of history.

Rugby League world Cup 2008 final preview.

Australia V New Zealand
The Rugby League World Cup 2008 will conclude in Brisbane on Saturday. For the past month ten teams have been controversially whittled down to two, and its pretty unanamously agreed these two teams are the two best teams in the world.

New Zealand have comfortably brushed aside Papua New Guinea and England (twice) and now they face the side who beat them on day two. Australia have had an easier ride to Brisbane. They have destroyed every team that has faced them and I would not be complaining if they were eventually voted the best Australian side ever, as some critics seem to belive.

Benji Marshall will be the only player on New Zealand's side cpable of springing the biggest upset in Rugby League history, if it were possible. But the quality of Darren Lockyer and Johnathan Thurston will be too much for the NZ halfs pairing. On top of that, Price and Petro Civoniceva will be making the hard yards for Australia backed up by Laffranchi, Gallen and Glenn Stewart. Need I talk about their three quarters?

New Zealand won't lie down and get humped. They will fight until towards the end, at which point Australia should begin to pull away and reclaim the World Cup for their own once again.
Australia by 18

Rugby League world Cup 2008 - Semi Final review

New Zealand 32-22 England
To summarise quickly, England were awful and New Zealand showed us how to play decent rugby.

Australia 52-0 Fiji
Australia dominated the game from start to finish, but I find it encouraging that Fiji didn't get star struck. They were simply outplayed but refused to give in.

Rugby League world Cup 2008 - Semi Final preview

New Zealand V England
According to the Sky Sports website, it seems Tony Smith is keeping his team sheet a secret up until the last moment. This is apparently keeping the players on their toes and according to Mark Calderwood is also freshening up the training sessions knowing every position is still to play for.

However, New Zealand make several changes to the side that beat England last week. Sam Perrett replaces Jason Nightingale while Simon Mannering moves into the centres to replace the injured Steve Matai. Thomas Leuleui swaps places with Nathan Fien while Nathan Cayless is brought in at the expence of Tuimavave. Sika Manu makes a welcome return for NZ wheras Sam Rapira is brought in for David Kidwell on the bench.

The only expected change for England is the return of Leon Pryce, while Ade Gardner and Danny McGuire are definatly not playing in the must win game for England to replenish some pride and hopfully a World Cup final apperance.
Prediction: New Zealand by 14

Australia V Fiji
Ricky Stuart isn't taking any chances against Fiji as he names his strongest possible side against lowly Pacific Islanders, Fiji. With 2000 a distant memory for many, it must still ring in the Australian's ears when Wales came very close to one of the biggest upsets in world sport at this stage of the competition eight years ago.

Darius Boyd, David Williams, Terry Campese, Josh Perry, Scott Price and Anthony Watmough are all dropped while Karmicheal Hunt, Brent Kite and Craig Fitzgibbon are back on the bench. In comes Petro Civoniceva, Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Anthony Laffranchi while Steve Price, Paul Gallen and Isreal Folau all move up to the starting 13.

For Fiji it will be a mission Tom Cruis couldn't manage. The inspirational players such as Hayne, Naiquama, Sims and the recently discovered Uate will be called upon to lead Fiji to the slaughter. However, if they can replicate Wales from eight years ago, they will have rightfully earned their fourth place ranking in this World Cup.
Prediction: Australia by 60

Rugby League World Cup 2008 - Week Three reviewed

Scotland 0-48 Tonga
Danny 'Mel Gibson' Brough may have led Scotland to their first historic win over Fiji last time out, but his absence left a hole in the defence and zero direction in attack. The Bravehearts were a shadow of their former selves on the Central Coast up in Rockhampton this time round and shipping in 48 points showed.


Tonga meanwhile, displayed the sort of rugby that shows they can play this time round capping off an indifferent campaign. Their attitude and commitment to the World Cup over the course of the past three weeks shows they want to play international Rugby League on a regular basis and in a competitive environment.


England 24-36 New Zealand
England outplayed New Zealand. They dominated around the ruck area with Micky Higham being an inspirational metre-maker. The halfbacks had the knowledge to throw the ball around in their own half at the right time and Rob Burrow destroyed The Kiwis on their own line in attack. Even the three-quarters continually backed their teammates up whenever a break was made. It was a wonderful display of Rugby League against what many critics deem to be our equals.


So why did it all go belly up in the second half? Why did England go back to the one dimensional tactics that saw us get over 50 points shipped past us in Melbourne? With a 24-8 lead, what was so difficult in continuing to put New Zealand on the back foot again and again like we did in the first half hour? It was such a wonderful collapse that a demolition crew would be impressed.


But despite the lack in concentration, England can take away from the game the posetives of the first half and to beat New Zealand next week, it is essential we apply those posetives for the full eighty minutes in the semi final.


France 10-42 Samoa
Using their third hooker in three games, France did a Scotland for just about seventy minutes of the game and failed to show up. Thomas Bosc led a French revolution late on but the damage was done and being assessed by the Samoans by the time France got their act together.


Nonetheless, it was nice to see another dominant Pacific display and further evidence a Pacific Nations Cup must be ressurected to ensure the growth of the international game in these countries.


Australia 46-6 Papua New Guinea
David Williams may have stole the show for Australia with a debut hat trick, but the limelight went to Stanley Gene after his final international game for The Kumuls.


Scott Price also put his name in the air for the semi finals after a two try display at scrum half partnering another debutant, Terry Campese. But the second story of the game was Papua New Guinea's attitude and determination not to let Australia run away with the game. But the reality is, it was their determination and attitude that often backfired on them, revealing their inexperience which Australia exposed.


But fair play to The Kumuls for turning up. They wern't happy about the draw, but of all the nations outside the 'top three' they can hold their heads up high the most on the return journey home.


Fiji 30-14 Ireland
Of the three home nations that participated in this World Cup, only Ireland can go home saying they have given their all in every game. They showed once again the courage, attitude, determination and spirit they possess despite being outplayed by a Fijian side that has made history by making the semi finals.

Both sides were against the odds according to me and many other critics, who said that Ireland would finish bottom of Pool C and Fiji would come second to France. Well, this World Cup has proven how unpredictable the sport is and how the right attitude will enable you to beat anybody.

Rugby League World Cup - Final B & C games reviewed AND week three preview

Ireland 34 – 16 Samoa
Luck of the Irish game gave Pat Richards a hat trick, a record point tally in a World Cup game and took Ireland into the semi final qualifier on Monday. Samoa started the stronger side with several attacks on the Irish line within the first ten minutes. But Ireland scored first which seemed to demoralise the Samoans and it took them time to recompose themselves, by which time the damage was too much to repair.

Stunned Samoa had another string of chances on the Irish line midway through the second half. They dominated when in attack but couldn’t get past a determined defence. Not only that, but Ireland forced them into errors putting them under more pressure as they tried to drag back the deficit to less than six points, enough to send them through as group winners on points difference.

No doubt Ireland deserved their win. They were the better side and wanted to win more than Samoa. With needing to score and win, Ireland’s mind set was based on attacking the Samoans, whereas Nigel Vagana’s side only had to prevent their opponents from scoring a converted try. Therefore, the game was won mentally before either side stepped onto the pitch.

Scotland 18-16 Fiji
This game had everything. Biff, speed, skill, drama, passion and a re-write in history. Scotland won a World Cup game for the first time against Fiji in dramatic style. With eight minutes remaining and scores level, Fiji scored in the corner. However, three minutes later Scotland crossed the whitewash on a benefit of the doubt ruling. Danny Brough converted the try to edge the Scots ahead.

It was without doubt the game of the tournament so far and had me hooked for the whole eighty minutes. The fight involving Ian Henderson was truly one of the best all season. The neither player backed down with the Fijian loose forward getting a few good punches to the head of Henderson.

But the win does not secure Scotland’s place in the semi final qualifier. A 28 point winning margin was needed to set up an all British match, but Scotland can now take on Tonga with pride and walk away knowing they have done Scottish Rugby League proud.


And so with five games and all teams involved as we head into the third week of this tournament, a quick preview of this weekend’s games is in order.

Scotland V Tonga
Scotland will be on a high after their win over Fiji. Tonga go into this game on the back of a loss to rivals Samoa.
Prediction: Scotland by 6

England V New Zealand
Improvement is needed for England after last weeks mauling by Australia. New Zealand go into the game after a comfortable win over Papua New Guinea, but still possess a strong line up capable of challenging England.
Prediction: New Zealand by 18

France V Samoa
France will be disappointed not progressing any further in this competition and finishing bottom of their pool. Samoa will no doubt feel the same after their loss to Ireland, especially as they were heading the group before Wednesday.
Prediction: Samoa by 12

Australia V Papua New Guinea
With Darren Lockyer and a host of other regular starting players rested, Australia will not in any way shape or form be weakened. Players will be playing for places in the knockout stages so still expect the Aussies to stuff the brave Papuans. A shock win for PNG will see them progress to the semis if England lose by over fourteen points or PNG win by that amount.
Prediction: Australia by 48

Fiji V Ireland
Ireland will be on a high as well after their win against Samoa. Fiji shouldn’t be demoralised by their close loss to Scotland, but who knows what will happen in this tournament outside Pool A.
Prediction: Fiji by 2

Rugby League World Cup 2008 final Pool B & C games previewed.

Ireland V Samoa
An 11 point or more win will see defiantly see Ireland into the next stage of the World Cup, and with their display against Tonga added to the team spirit in the camp there is a real possibility of this happening. Having had a coaching session by Andrew Johns leading up to the game tomorrow and the entire team getting tattoos as a sign of team spirit, the Irish couldn’t be more motivated to succeed and prove the critics wrong.

Samoa will go into this game as favourites though. They look the strongest on paper and came away with a promising win over Tonga on Friday. But the short five day turn around in preparation to this game may not be enough compared to a team that has had a week and a half rest period. In any other scenario, Samoa should carve Ireland apart. But Irish spirit, motivation and a lengthy rest period between matches could see a close competitive game.
Prediction: Samoa by 6

Scotland V Fiji
Scotland must have been worried watching Fiji tear France apart on Saturday. However, the same question applies with Fiji about Samoa. How will the short turnaround in preparing for this game affect their performance against a side that has had a longer wait than Ireland for this match? Also, how much has the France game on Saturday taken out of the faithful Fijians? That said, I thought Scotland buckled late on against France on day two of this tournament. To beat Fiji it will take a massive turnaround, but its one they have been preparing for over a week for.

Fiji can’t go into this game complacent of winning. That is despite a heavily scoring match against France. However, it seems likely that whatever the result tomorrow Fiji will go through to face the winners of Pool C on points difference. Scotland have to make up a 56 point deficit to get to the semi final qualifier, which for me is way too much.
Prediction: Fiji by 20

Rugby League World Cup 2008 week two review.

Samoa 20-12 Tonga
Samoa dominated the much anticipated Battle of the Pacific with an eight point victory over their Tongan rivals. Samoa never really looked like losing this game despite being behind for a brief spell in the second half. Samoa won the game with solid defence in the second half. In fact, Tonga failed to score in the final forty minutes. It was a bruising affair that dragged the Penrith crowed into the stands. Even the crowed had as much passion as the players. Nigel Vagana called for sides like Samoa to play more international RL. If this game is anything to go by, I’m fully behind him.

Fiji 42-6 France
The French will not know what hit them going into what could be their final week of the tournament after having had forty points shipped past them in Wollongong on Saturday. Everyone expected France to put the faithful Fijians to the sword, but the reality was the complete opposite. Jarryd Hayne opened the scoring and scored another ten minutes from time. Parramatta fans will want to know where this form has been all season.

But the story of the match was seeing a strong and majority full time Catalan side lose heavily to a majority amateur team who went into this game knowing they had little to lose. On this performance, Fiji look confident of progressing to the semi final qualifier, most likely against Samoa, but don’t bet against Ireland just yet if this World Cup is anything to go by.

New Zealand 48-6 Papua New Guinea
With one match to play, could it be a game too far for Papua New Guinea? Adrian Lam publically said he was putting a lot, if not all his efforts into beating England. After proudly failing to do so, is it all downhill now for The Kumuls? This performance suggested that that would be the case.

Benji Marshall actually looked a different player to what he did in Sydney the week before. He got New Zealand to the safe position of qualifying for the semi finals before being brought off as a precaution. No doubt Stephen Kearney and Wayne Bennett are saving him for England on Saturday.

Australia 52-4 England
Where did it all go wrong for England? Although I suppose an easier question would be where did it go right? The answer, it didn’t. Tony Smith was succumbed to his first defeat as national coach, and it proved to be England’s worst in a World Cup. Every kick went to Slater. Every bounce went the Aussies way, who moved up as a defensive line ten times faster and did the same on kick chases from Price and Lockyer. Both had perfect games with the boot in general play.

Whereas England did the exact opposite. They came across as intimidated by the Australian line, and the one decent chance of scoring we had on their line contained poor passes and the tactical awareness of a drunken chimp. Basically, we were given a master class in Rugby League. Even I don’t know where to start in recollecting the pieces.

England must improve. A loss by New Zealand of 14 points of more, added to a PNG win on Sunday can see them on the next flight home.

Rugby League World Cup 2008 Week Two preview.

Samoa V Tonga
In my opinion, this could be the game of the tournament. All the build up has been centred around these two Pacific Island’s history both on and off the RL pitch. The hatred for each other is off the scale. It goes beyond any Saints V Wigan, Hull FC V Hull KR or Australia V England rivalry. I don’t intend to watch this game for the skill factor or the little moment of magic that might win the game for either side. I’m hoping for an all out brawl. I expect huge hits whether they are legal or not. I want to see raw emotion that will separate the men from the boys.

And there is a good chance you will get to see all of that.
Prediction: Samoa by 4

Fiji V France
France go into this game after a comfortable win over the Scottish Bravehearts, who themselves lived up to their namesake. On that evidence, France should go in as favourites being in form and everyone’s choice to progress into the semi finals. However, the Fijian side doesn’t exactly make for easy reading. Jarryd Hayne is first on the team sheet while Semi Tadulala lies in the back line, Aston Sims beefs up an already rather bulky side all round. The key to Fiji is to use this to their advantage, while France will earn victory if they use the flanks.
Prediction: France by 16

New Zealand V Papua New Guinea
With the absence of Steve Matai and The Kiwis only try scorer, Sika Manu, a depleted New Zealand side must take on The Kumuls at Skilled Stadium in what could be the upset Adrian Lam has been hoping for. PNG were very good against England, and there were signs as New Zealand faced Australia that The Kiwis did not look at all comfortable. But NZ’s run of seven defeats in eight games (with only a win against France at the end of their 2007 tour) is surely coming to an end soon, or else the NZRL board must start to look within itself to find answers to its national side’s problems.
PNG meanwhile, go into the game full of confidence and no doubt with the same enthusiasm that rode them close against England. With all that in mind, I’m to tip PNG to upset New Zealand. Benji Marshall must save NZ from embarrassment or face his own career and reputation to go down the sink like so many domestic greats within our game.
Prediction: New Zealand by 14

Australia V England
Last met in Brisbane two years ago as Great Britain, GB were stuffed 33-10 on the back of their infamous 23-10 success in Sydney. Tony Smith must re-create that success if he is to keep his unbeaten run as national coach, and shut the Aussies up until the final at least. As its quite plausible both sides have progressed into the semi finals anyway, this game can only be seen as an excuse to test the water before the serious business begins on the 15th November. That said, because its Australia and England, its going to be fiercely contested like a World Cup final.

England are unchanged except for the introduction for Mark Calderwood as Lee Smith is injured. That means Adrian Morley will be used as an impact player off the bench while Peacock and Graham are the mixed blend of internationally experienced and inexperienced. Danny McGuire will no doubt replace either Burrow or Pryce. If Roby is taken off however, Burrow will move to hooker while McGuire takes over the No7 role.

Australia have also made one change to their line up that beat New Zealand 30-6. Karmichael Hunt replaces the controversial Anthony Tupou. Hunt was brought into Austrralia’s squad during the week as a result of subsequent injuries to various players.

The key for England to win this game, as I have said time and time before, the forwards must outplay the Aussie pack. With Peacock and Morley on the field at the same time, England can take on any pack in the world. Graham must prove he is capable of playing high intensity international Rugby League and be seen to carry the ball so Australia are back peddling every time. For Australia, they must hold the England front row, as the back line will fall automatically whenever Australia get within twenty metres of the try line.
Prediction: Australia by 18

Rugby League World Cup - Week One review.

England 32-22 Papua New Guinea
After watching The Kumels dominate England for the majority of the first half, you have to wonder if we seriously have any chance of winning this tournament. PNG went into the tournament unhappy with the format, and unhappy with the draw that they said guaranteed them three losses in three matches. But no matter how they finish the tournament now, they can hold their heads high knowing they have given one of the biggest nations in Rugby League a huge scare.

The only defence for England is knowing that most of the seventeen that played in Townsville hadn’t played together since the thrashing of France. A PNG first team had lost to an Australian Prime Ministers XIII a week before the Grand Finals, but at least their team had played together within a month leading up the World Cup opener.

I have to credit Neville Costigan who was easily the best man on the pitch. For him to be on the losing side is a bit of injustice but Adrian Lam did mention before the tournament that this competition gave his players the opportunity to put themselves in the shop window for Super League and NRL clubs. Papua New Guinea has always been able to produce promising players and I feel one or two will be snapped up if they continue to perform against New Zealand and Australia.

For England I think the only decent player on the field was James Roby. His runs from dummy half gave England the go forward that PNG weren’t capable of stopping. Man for man, PNG managed to stand up against our props. Peacock didn’t have that good of a game as captain, as did any of the other forwards, but Morley did make an impact when he came off the bench on a few occasions.

Looking ahead, I feel Papua New Guinea can challenge New Zealand the way they did England. As for England, there is a slim hope they can beat Australia so long as the forwards outplay Price, Civoniceva, Laffranchi and the rest. From there, England can put the sword to the back line and hopefully Gardner, Gleeson, Senoir and Smith or Calderwood can finish off the attack. Its a big ask for the forwards, but it has been done before. Remember the last time Australia lost a match?

Scotland 18-36 France
The French were too good for Scotland really. The Scots played well and were able to compete for the majority of the game, but lacked the ability or fitness to play for the full eighty minutes. This was seen as France scored a very good team try on the full time hooter from inside their own thirty metres.

There were promising signs for France though. The fact they scored three tries, for a team that has never won a World Cup match, must be a massive boost for Steve McCormack going into the final group game against Fiji. France meanwhile, can take away an impressive performance from ex-Canberra and Warrington player Jerome Guissett. He showed what he is capable of on his day and came up with a solid prop forwards effort.

Australia 30-6 New Zealand
Theres no other word for it really. Australia blitzed New Zealand in what was promised as the game of week one. It went downhill for New Zealand from the start. Steve Matai will miss the PNG game on Saturday after a terrible forearm tackle on Gallen. The inexperience of Joel Monaghan, Laffranchi and Glenn Stewart didn’t prove anything as New Zealand weren’t able to use that to their advantage. Benji Marshall failed to live up to his reputation as the saviour of New Zealand’s tournament. In my opinion, the Kiwi players relied too much on his presence while Australia nailed onto him from the off.

Apart from Matai’s forearm tackle resulting in a ban for the Manly centre, he also has to contend with a suspected wrist injury. He was seen holding his wrist on various occasions throught the game, more noticeably after taking New Zealand’s only conversion. Injury worries also for Australia, Jonathan Thurston has an dodgy shoulder problem while Brent Tate went off with suspected concussion. Both potentially could miss the game in Melbourne against England.

Special credit must go to Israel Folau. The teenager never backed down and scored two decent tries in the corner. He could have had a hat-trick had his first half effort not been prevented by the New Zealand defence.

Tonga 22-20 Ireland
Heartbreak for Ireland as they lost to Tonga in what is so far the tournaments most exciting game. By all accounts, it wasn’t the most skilful game you’ll see in the next month or so, but it proved to be exciting due to the emotion and determination of both sides desperation to win. Damien Blanch’s hat-trick went unrewarded but Ireland can take heart from a solid display. Many pundits, myself included, tipped them to be the whipping boys of Pool 3. By losing so narrowly, they proved to me and many others they are not here to make up the numbers.

Who will win the Rugby League World Cup in 2008? Readers poll - The results are in!

The first of many A Tap on the Twenty readers polls came to a close as England and Papua New Guinea kicked off the tournament on Saturday. Fifty-one of you voted as to who you thought would win the RL World Cup and it comes as no surprise as to who you think will win the tournament.

Australia were eventual winners in the poll despite England gaining an early lead at about March/April of this season. Australia played catch up for the majority of the season. The lead was given to Australia as the NRL and Super League domestic play offs got closer, but that lead was snatched away by only a handful of votes. Eventually within the two weeks leading up to kick off in Townsville, Australia re-took the lead again and managed to hang on until the deadline.

New Zealand were the third most voted team earning and never looked like losing that position all year. Only Ireland gained more than one vote for a team outside the "top three" while Fiji were the only side not to earn a vote.

The final results are:

Australia - 41% (21)
England - 37% (19)
Fiji - 0% (0)
France - 1% (1)
Ireland - 2% (3)
New Zealand - 7% (4)
Papua New Guinea - 1% (1)
Samoa - 1% (1)
Scotland - 1% (1)
Tonga - 1% (1)

Thanks to all that voted, and all those regular readers where ever you are.

Rugby League World Cup - Week One preview.

England V Papua New Guniea
England go into this game red hot favourites, a bit like the conditions in Townsville. The weather forcast tommorows game will definatly suit the Papuans. A minimum temperature of 23°C (73°F) awaits England as the sun sets at 18:17 EST, only 22 minutes after sheduled kick off. But despite the hype surrounding the weather and if England will be able to withstand it, this game should be a walkover. Tony Smith has insisted time and time again the preparations are right for the tournament and every last detail has been discussed and organised. There are no excuses for losing.
Prediction: England by 30

Scotland V France
In Canberra, the conditions will be slightly cooler compared to Townsville. France will have the upper hand with a team full of Catalan players, compared to a side that has a large proporation not playing first grade. Look out for Thomas Bosc and Danny Brough, as both have had fantastic domestic seasons and both will be wanting to get one over the other. If France take out Brough, the Scots going to struggle big time. Size, power and overall experience will put the Fench ahead of their opponents.
Prediction: France by 18

Australia V New Zealand
From an English point of view, its a case of finding the lesser evil. Both sides have a strong squad, but usually Australia absorb the mind games and use it as motivation. If New Zealand hadn't learnt their lesson last year, they will do this time. Former Wigan and New Zealand coach, Graeam Lowe, came out recently and said Petero Civoniceva and Steve Price look old and out of gas. The Australians are like wasps, intimidate them and they will sting. Even Benji Marshall's magic cannot prevent this Kiwi loss.
Prediction: Australia by 20

Tonga V Ireland
Ireland go into this game, and indeed the group, as the whipping boys. Tonga have recruited a decent squad that can potentially get them out of the group. Ireland's key players seem to be Pat Richards, Stuart Littler, Eamon O'Carroll and Michael McIlorum. Compare that to Fraiser Anderson, Richard Fa'aoso and Michael Jennings, its not really a contest.
Prediction: Tonga by 44

A Tap on the Twenty’s Rugby League World Cup preview.

We are now a matter of days before the World Cup kicks off in Townsville on 25th October. England along with Papua New Guinea will begin the long awaited tournament which was first announced by the RLIF in 2004. Moving on from the disaster tournament of 2000, in my opinion this years competition has the potential to resurrect the international game to new levels. With the development being spread across France, we have another creditable international side slowly rising from the ashes. In the Pacific isles, Rugby League has been a relatively low key affair internationally. I feel the utmost importance on this side of the world is funding the relevant governing bodies to ensure competitive international matches are played regularly between the likes on Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea. Throw in an Australian and New Zealand rep sides to ensure they are playing at a decent standard of rugby and have a mountain to climb in terms of establishing a decent standard that is a credit to the international game. The Pacific Islands were born to play Rugby League, so support from the ARL and RLIF would defiantly not go amiss.

Anyway, that’s for the future. Onto more pressing matters, and that is to see England (hopefully) lift the World Cup in Brisbane on the 22nd November. The format of this year’s competition has been heavily criticised. However, I feel it is of the utmost important to have a competitive tournament. If having a bizarre format establishes a tournament that is exciting to watch, it will draw the crowds in. If it draws the crowds in, it will be a success and therefore a saviour to the international game.

Every effort has been made to ensure fans in Australia know about the tournament. The ‘Heroes Here 08’ slogan has been branded about on every sponsorship billboard across every NRL ground. Even an advertisement on the runway of Melbourne airport has been spotted with the tagline ‘sent here for punishment’. Underneath is a picture of English scrum half, Rob Burrow. But despite the efforts by Colin Love and his merry band of organisers, Australian die hard fans are forever being the pessimists. “Who gives a f-ck?” was a quote used by Steve Mascord supplied by an NRL supporter in the latest issue of Rugby League World. So it seems the Australians don’t care. That is despite the final selling out months ago, is it? We all know Sydney-siders have this problem of attending games, but I guarantee you games in Townsville, Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra will all have high attendances. You couldn’t spread the game better in Victoria by hosting ‘Convicts V Pommies’ in Melbourne’s Telstra Dome. Clever thinking has gone into this organisation by state governments that want it. And I say that quote with care. It seems Western Australia didn’t care when it came to hosting games in Perth. Outbid by New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland to host even one single game, it left itself with nothing. And surprisingly, a stately broadsheet has the nerve to write an article moaning about how no games were to be staged on the other side of the country. How petty. If Western Australia had invested more money into a game, I’m pretty confident they would have got one.

And onto business, as it were. Below are all ten teams with a small prediction on how they will perform on the biggest stage, the Rugby League World Cup.

Australia
They are overwhelming favourites to retain their crown, first stolen from Great Britain in 1975. They have quality all over the squad, all the way down from fullback to loose forward. Their strength in depth is so immense; it would take one hell of a performance to knock these guys from their perch. Buts that’s not to say they are invincible. No team is and I’m sure the ghosts of 2005 are still ringing their ears, as is the nature of Australian sport and its ethics.
Prediction: Easily the best in the competition and will prove it by winning the final.

England
England have never won the World Cup as ‘England.’ Only as Great Britain, has the nation that invented this great sport ever won the World Cup, which is more times than our soccer counterparts. But for thirty three years we haven’t had a sniff. Neither has any other nation for that matter, but now I feel we have a good enough side to take on the Aussies. On our day (and that’s all it takes to win a World Cup) we are capable of being the best team in the world. For England to beat Australia, we have to play them down the middle and do so convincingly. That gives the weaker backline a chance to put the sword to the green and gold backline when they are on the back foot. Taking every single chance and scraping for every metre is also important.
Prediction: Have the potential to win, but may fall short again.

Fiji
Fiji have been quiet in their preparations for this World Cup. Little has been said or written about them and no doubt this has suited them enabling them to concentrate on their first game against France during the second week of the tournament. With experienced players like Jarryd Hayne, Ashton Sims and Semi Tadulala, they can pose a threat on form. But despite this, they lack any real experience to progress further in this competition.
Prediction: May win a game, will not win the group.

France
France take with them the majority of the Catalan first team. On that basis alone, with players coming into this World Cup on the back of a very good domestic season their confidence will be sky high. If Thomas Bosc performs like he did in Super League, he alone will carry the French into the semi finals.
Prediction: Will walk all over their group opponents, but will be challenged in the semi final qualifier.

Ireland
If Group A is the “Super Group”, then group c must be the group of death. Ireland qualified by beating Russia by more points than Lebanon did in qualifying. You honestly couldn’t split the nations further apart. But unfortunately Lebanon missed out having to perform in the repechage rounds. Had they beaten Samoa in Featherstone, we may have had another thrilling match between the two nations to look forward to. As it is, Ireland are up against it anyway. The majority of the side have only played in the National Leagues this season, while others haven’t played in NRL or Super League. There are of course a few Wiganers (Pat Richards, Eamon O’Carroll) and a few NRL types (Ryan Tandy).
Prediction: God help them. If the first game doesn’t knock them for six, the second one will.

New Zealand
Write off New Zealand at your peril. Last year they toured Great Britain with a starting thirteen on the treatment table on the other side of the world. This year, their stars (minus Sonny Bill Williams) are back to their best. Benji Marshall has only played four games for New Zealand since making his international debut in 2005 against Australia. He will prove to the world what he is capable of. Keeping him fit is essential to their success in this competition. Without him, New Zealand lose half of their quality immediately. Yes, they have Grand Finalists and senior, experienced players, but they don’t show the same threatening body language that a side with Benji Marshall will have. Take out Marshall, take out New Zealand.
Prediction: England are beatable, New Zealand are capable of making the final.

Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea go into this World Cup with nothing to lose. They are under no pressure to perform as they must face the prospect of being overwhelming underdogs in every single match against England, New Zealand and Australia. The rewards of upsetting just one of their three opponents are staggeringly high, with the repercussions of losing minimal. John Wilshire must captain a side that will be limited in first grade and international experience, while at the same time be motivated enough to put on a decent show.
Prediction: Potential banana skin for any side, but a single win would make their tournament a success.

Samoa
Samoa were the tenth and final team to qualify for this tournament but they may have side to become the fourth best by the end of it. They have named a squad with only five of their players playing outside the NRL or Super League. They may have a lack of strength in depth compared to their Tongan rivals, but they make up for that in quality for their starting seventeen. Powerhouses like Ali Lauititi, Kyle Luluai and Harrison Hansen can provide the go forward so that Francis Meli and Willie Talau can capitalise from.
Prediction: Biggest test against Tonga, but should have the aim of making the semi finals.

Scotland
Scotland represent a fine split between first and second grade players. Not taking anything away from the Scots, they have it all to do if they are to get out of their group with France and Fiji. Danny Brough, who was on fine form for Wakefield this year, must take that form into the World Cup if his team have any chance of progressing. Having never won a World Cup match before his tournament, the odds are well and truly in their favour. But with this being the strongest side Scotland have put together in a long time, will the factor of probability finally kick in?
Prediction: Will do well to win a game, but won’t progress further.

Tonga
With Ireland the potential whipping boys of group c, it looks likely the winner of the Halloween bloodbath between Tonga and Samoa will top the group. But winning that match will be no easy task despite the fact Tonga possesses the likes of Fraiser Anderson, Richard Fa’aoso, Michael Jennings and Fuifui Moimoi in their ranks. I have said from the beginning of the year, the Pacific Island clash could easily be the game of the year and I honestly cannot predict what will happen in the heat of the moment. Emotions will be high and drama will be intense. Make sure you don’t miss that game.
Prediction: If they were to top the group, they won’t get past their Qualifying Semi opponents.

So overall, how will the World Cup play out? Australia will retain their crown they have hung onto for over thirty years. I believe England will be the losing finalists, but don’t be surprised to see New Zealand lose out either. France should lose out to Australia in the first semi final, and if the Aussies’ 2000 semi final is anything to go by, that should be a good game to watch. Samoa will be the team to face France before losing out in the qualifying semi, while Tonga will finish second above Ireland in Group C. Group B will see France thrash Scotland and comfortably beat Fiji, who themselves will have a game on their hands against Scotland. Meanwhile poor old Papua New Guinea will lose out every time, but as long as they don’t beat England I will happily support them in their quest to upset New Zealand and Australia.

Now bear in mind I tipped Catalan to take the League Leader’s shield home with six super League games remaining, the above could turn out very differently. Here’s to a wonderfully competitive tournament, with the only controversy and focus seen on the field with drama and excitement that will grip all Rugby League fans alike.

The End of Term Report - Part Five

Leeds were league leaders of this season's competition until round seventeen. Least you forget that when anyone says Saints were the better team by a country mile. They weren't the best team over twenty seven rounds as everyone suggested. Yes, they were the better side during the regular season, but their performances have been over-hyped.

And this was evident going into the Grand Final. Finally, I go through the two finalists of the 2008 Super League season.

Leeds
Some say that the play offs are not fair and do not award the best team in the competition with the rightful title of being champions. So what! In my opinion a championship winning side is one that is consistently good, and can perform in big games. Leeds did this during the 2008 campaign. Not once did they fall into third place from February to September and they were able to pull off wins when it counted, 4th October being a prime example. Their players haven't set the world alight like they once did many moons ago. But they have stayed near the top and did so for a long period of time. Without a doubt Leeds deserved to win the competition and did so in style, pulling off a magnificent victory againt the overwhelming favourites. The team are a credit to the city and the county on the other side of the Pennines.

St Helens
Any Saints fan would be forgiven for thinking they were still in 2007. It was a sort of deva vu when the final hooter went at Old Trafford. Saints, overwhelming favourites going into the final match of the domestic year, clinching the League Leaders Shield and Challenge Cup at Wembley. The only thing missing was a World Club Championship from last year. So where did it all go wrong for Daniel Anderson and his merry men full full of confidence going into the biggest game of the year? Simply put, Saints were outplayed over eighty minutes when it counted. When everything is gambled in one game. When an entire season rests on what you do at the theatre of dreams. Well for the past two years, its been the theatre of nightmares for St Helens, much to the amusement of Wigan, Warrington and the rest of Super League. But credit must be given where its due. They are not a championship winning side, but by God they did everything else right.

Shocking news as Wakefield player dies.

Its not very often you hear of a Rugby League player passing away. Its an extremely rare case as today's athletes are in peak physical fitness and are monitored by doctors and medical staff on a daily basis. However, there are exceptions and the passing of Adam Watene is a deeply shocking scenario.

Adam Watene, a Cook Island international captain, played for Castleford helping them gain promotion in 2005. He was signed by Bradford for the 2006 season but only played four games. Midway through that particular season he joined Wakefield scoring two tries in eighteen games. He took to the field in every game during 2007 but was limited to only a dozen games this season due to injury.

The entire Rugby League community's thoughts are with Adam's family.

PNG announce the soldiers going over the top.

The PNG twenty-four man squad looks like this;

John Wilshire, David Moore, George Keppa, Stanley Gene, Keith Peters, Charlie Wabo, Rodney Pora, George Moni , Nixon Kolo, Paul Aiton, Jessie Joe, Makali Aizue, Trevor Exton, Neville Costigan, James Nightingale, Rod Griffin, Larson Marabe, Kevin Prior, Ashton, Tu’u Maori, Menzie Yere, Chan, Nick Ubile and Sam Joe.

There are quite a few familiar names among that line up. Ex-Warrington, Leigh, Melbourne and St George Illawarra star/flop John Wilshire makes the squad along with "the oldest man in Rugby League" Stanley Gene. There is also James Nightingale who plays for Penrith and Tu'u Moari, the new Cronulla winger.

I have little doubt Papa New Guinea will have a very good attitude. But I can't help but feel they will be whipping boys for the majority of the tournament. For the sake of the tournament I hope they are very competitive. Least I remind readers (if there are any) the weight of credibility within the international game hangs on the shoulders of this tournament. If the tournament is a failure, the ARL and NZRL will be unlikely to contribute to further international competitions apart from sending a national team to Europe every year. We don't want that.

However, I wish PNG the best of luck. They will certainly need it.

England 74-0 Wales.

It wasn't really the best game every played. Said that, none of the rugby or refereeing was really up to scratch. Steve Ganson was at his very worse last night, being too erratic with the whistle denying Wales a try and giving them a penalty instead which was backed up by the video referee.

With the majority of the world cup squad playing in last week's Grand Final, only eight players who will board the plane to Australia on Monday appeared in Doncaster making the team that will line up in Townsville very different to last nights. Martin Gleeson, for example, will definatly not play at stand off. That is despite the fact he had a decent game including crossing the whitewash twice.

Credit must go to Richie Myler who didn't back down at scrum half on his international debut. He is young but a good prospect with Salford now being admitted into Super League. He also scored twice but with a bit more experience he could also be a part of the next world cup in roughly five years time.

Despite the fact fifteen players were missing, I though the 74-0 scoreline was a fairly accurate reflection on how well England can perform if they had the option of a full strength 1-17. How the team played is totally irrelivant to the preparations but the tracks are leading in the right direction.

World Cup update.

Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Scotland and Ireland all announced their final 24-man squads yesterday with France naming theirs late last month. All ten nations that will take part in this years world cup have now named their squads that will compete in Australia. All squads from BBC and Official World Cup website.

France have picked the majority of the Catalan first team squad with others coming from Lezignan, Toulouse, Carcassonne, Pia, Villeneuve as well as Eric Anselme from Leeds and Julian Rinaldi who has left Harlequins. Fiji have also snapped up a few famous faces. Jarryd Hayne has managed to secure a place in their squad, along with Ashton Sims, Semi Tadulala and an old London Broncos favourite, Nick Bradley-Qalilawa. Scotland have snapped up four NRL players and eight Super League stars including Danny Brough. Paddy Coupar is the only Scottish based player in the squad.

Brett White will wear the emerald green of Ireland as he leads Stuart Littler, Pat Richards and Micheal Platt. Ross Barbour from the Carlaw Crusaders will also be present in the squad. Samoa have George Carmont, Ali Lauititi and the wing/centre partnership of Willie Talau and Francis Meli. If you thought that was a good squad, then throw in Nigel Vagana and Matt Utai for good measure. The squad that will take on Samoa on the 31st October (believe me, it will be a bloody Halloween) is Tonga. They call upon the two Anderson brothers, Frasier and Louis with Richard Fa'aoso, Fuifui Moimoi and Michael Jennings. An early tip, miss that match at your peril. Two Pacific nations who will go toe to toe and not back down.

And in other news, Anthony Tupou has been called into the Austrlaian squad to replace Michael Crocker who suffered a broken rib in Sunday's NRL Grand Final. Tupou was due to line up for Tonga but as ever the "strict eligability rules" that are issued in Rugby League mean he can play for both nations.

As far as I'm aware Papa New Guinea are yet to announce a squad that will take on New Zealand and Australia, starting with England on the 25th October in Townsville.