2017 Rugby League World Cup

[SeaEagleRock8]

This is by far the most interesting RL world cup we've seen

Oh, how many have you seen?

 

[winnyason]

Where it's been a winner is the tv ratings.
Seems to be the way of it these days.
Much easier to watch on tele.

Agree mate. In 2014 kiwis won 4 nations and 2015 anzac test ranked 1 in world. 2 years later they lose ro tonga and fiji

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Kidwell's coaching career just suffered a mortal blow.

 

[eagle O'Talon]

Just imagine if the players that could've played for Fiji but didn't....
Kane Evans
Jayson Bukuya
Tariq Sims
Korbin Sims
Reagan Campbell-Gillard

then add Semi Radradra and Marika Koroibete to that and that's one heck of a team!

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[The '47ers]

Australia will put 40+ on Fiji next game

 

[Deleted member 26876]

Oh, how many have you seen?

Binge-watched the highlights of past ones of late, although by saying this I wasnt saying that i've seen them all. But rather that this is the most competitive one we've seen to date (thus most interesting) as it's not just Aus, Eng and NZ who were the only good, capable sides

 

[double hoops]

Great to see a league journeyman like Henry Raiwului go from playing for Blacktown to beating New Zealand.

 

[winnyason]

Australia will put 40+ on Fiji next game

Yeah say winner been awarded after that

 

[Deleted member 26876]

Australia will put 40+ on Fiji next game

Fiji likely won't beat them, but they've gone under the radar. Revisit their results and their disguised quality (till now) is notable

 

[Kevinward777]

Agree mate. In 2014 kiwis won 4 nations and 2015 anzac test ranked 1 in world. 2 years later they lose ro tonga and fiji

Yeah, pretty unbelievable really. I thought they were going to be very hard to beat at halftime last week.

 

[HoldenV8]

I feel for Marty Taupau and AFB.....but at the same time I'm happy for Aku and Api.

The Kiwis have dead set gone backwards under Kidwell. And I can explain Kidwell's coaching by noting where he started his first grade playing career......the Adelaide Rams

 

[Dan]

Fiji winning that game was a great moment in league. Those players were so ecstatic, they beat one of the worlds top teams and gave a small nation a reason to turn away from rugby.

Ok so Australia will beat them but still good to see a team other than aus, UK or nz have a highlight

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

it's not just Aus, Eng and NZ who were the only good, capable sides

Agreed, and I think England will be bracing themselves for a full-scale assault from PNG today.
Tonga v Fiji final, anyone? Wonder what the odds of that were a few weeks ago.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Also the performances of a few players might put them on the recruitment radar. Kikau can't even make Penrith first grade? Another Fiji forward plays for Wyong?
Our recruitment manager (whoever that is) has to be booking a trip to Fiji asap to identify the next crop of up-and-comers.

 

[Kiwi Eagle]

Adam Blair is getting destroyed over here for his post match interview, and rightfully so

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

What did he say?

 

[winnyason]

Yeah, pretty unbelievable really. I thought they were going to be very hard to beat at halftime last week.

I simply can believe the downward spiral since Kidwell Taken over. He won’t survive this.

 

[Harvies elbow]

I was thinking the kiwi's, after the 1st 2 games looked really good. Considering the players on the sideline.
Now they are gone.
I can't see early form saving kidwell.

 

[HappilyManly]

What did he say?

"It's not a negative for us. We're going to build something here and we've got some great young talent coming through."

Blair preferred to give credit to Fiji.

"It was do or die for both teams who put it on the line.

"Our boys turned up, worked together as a group, and in the end a couple of penalties put them in front.

Betham asked him what their strategy was coming in.

"Be us," Blair said. "Play our way, they were tough, resilient and played for the 80 [minutes].

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11945482

It's not a negative for us.

So, it's a positive?

That's the phrase that has kicked off a storm, dodging the concerns that have led to New Zealand's downfall in an attempt to paint their exit in a better light.

While a shattered Shaun Johnson offered the country an apology for their ''dumb'' display, Blair's tone remained upbeat while he chewed a piece of gum, arguing the two upsets to Tonga and Fiji were a step in the right direction for international rugby league.

''It's great for the game, it's great to see Fiji and the likes of Tonga and perform with some great talent in their team, both professional outfits,'' he told Sky Sports.

''New Zealand are going to have to turn up when we come out here again with the group, go back, reflect on what we've done over this tournament, it's not a negative for us.

''We've got to build something here, we've got some great young talent coming through.''

http://www.sportingnews.com/au/amp/...-cup-not-a-negative/6ev4lnr4t85n17idnpikh0n3o

 

[Kiwi Eagle]

Yep that transcript sums it up, but it was also delivered in a 'who cares' kind of tone which sent people over the edge

Been backed up after match by Shaun Johnson saying to the media "yous got your way" which fans have taken as being directed at them too

NZ league is in big trouble, the Warriors are close to the biggest laughing stock in NZ sport, and the Kiwis have gone down the gurgler too in the last year. Gonna be a hell of a job to turn it all around before 90% of the country is apathetic to it all