Rugby League 2008 Season

[as260191]

LMAO are you being serious? Those games have been shite for the last few years.

As opposed to the Leeds - Bradford derby, when was the last time they filled the Stadium for that?

The chant "You're just a small town in Wigan" to St Helens is fitting.

No dear, you're thinking of Leigh. They're a small town in a different county, and think they're part of Liverpool[/quote]

The matches are crap. I went to one last year because I was told the atmosphere was great.

If you mean Millenium Magic, that can hardly be counted. And the last game of the season where we had to beat them to get in the Playoffs was fantastic.

I was annoyed I'd wasted that much money going.

This despite Wigan being one of the cheapest grounds in SL at £16 for the most expensive seat in a good stand, as opposed to say, Hull KR where you pay £20 to sit on temporary seats about 20m from the pitch at the end of it.

The match was bad. The atmosphere was bad.

See earlier point.

If you want exciting RL, it's Leeds Bulls all the way. Followed closely by Hull FC and Hull KR.

Admittedly, our style has become tamer since Nobby took over, however we can still play quality rugby, see the Leuluai try vs Bradford in the playoffs last year. Only 1 man in the world could have made that pass to Vaealiki. We are still the most famous team in the world, with the most trophies, and everyone else is just jealous. =D

There's a real derby for you right there. Classic.

Surely Leeds' real local derby is Hunslet?

 

[HBK-aholic]

As opposed to the Leeds - Bradford derby, when was the last time they filled the Stadium for that?

Less than a week ago, now you mention it.

If you mean Millenium Magic, that can hardly be counted. And the last game of the season where we had to beat them to get in the Playoffs was fantastic.

No, I mean as a regular fixture. It was over the Easter weekend, Good Friday I believe. Awful game. but now you mention it, the Millenium Magic game was also awful.

This despite Wigan being one of the cheapest grounds in SL at £16 for the most expensive seat in a good stand, as opposed to say, Hull KR where you pay £20 to sit on temporary seats about 20m from the pitch at the end of it.

The groud of Hull KR is indeed a piece of shit. Totally hate it. But that doesn't mean the derbies aren't good. They are, in fact, great. So close to Leeds and Bradford when competing as the best derby.

Admittedly, our style has become tamer since Nobby took over, however we can still play quality rugby, see the Leuluai try vs Bradford in the playoffs last year. Only 1 man in the world could have made that pass to Vaealiki. We are still the most famous team in the world, with the most trophies, and everyone else is just jealous. =D

Wigan have had a lot of success inthe past. However in recent years they've had to change and get used to simply not winning trophies. Because they can't do it. The bottom of the table is where you like it no, isn't it?

Surely Leeds' real local derby is Hunslet?

We can have derbies with Wakefield as well if you want to put it like that. However Leeds Vs Bradford is THE derby.

 

[HBK-aholic]

I've come here to immensely comlpaing about the choice of referee for the Challnge Cuo Final. So, as you probably don't know, the final is between St Helens and Hull FC. These 2 teams being involved is already extremely controversial for reasons I've mentioned earlier. Now allow me to introduce you to someone.

Steve Ganson
Referee based in St Helens. Has taken children to St Helens RL matches when he hasn't been working. Is the reason St Helens are Top of the table, as opposed to now second based Leeds.

And, guess who the referee for the final is? Yep, you guessed it. Steve Ganson. Firstly, he's from St Helens, automatically meaning he shouldn't be involved in games they are involved in. It gives them an unfair advantage, and he is by far the most controversial referee in the SL, often showing undeniable bias to some teams. Plus, it's the final. Can you really see him allowing his team to lose a big match?

 

[HBK-aholic]

Semi Final 1
St Helens Vs Leeds Rhinos

St Helens started off weak, but as the season progressed they became the team to beat. Leeds did the opposite. Starting off amazing, but a small loss of form in the middle of the season made them lose momentum. However, but teams finished the season strong. This will be the game of the season, easily.

I'm picking Leeds to win this, and take the easy route to Old Trafford. They hate St Helens, especially after the Cup controversy. I think revenge is sweet, and Saints are going to get it handed to them this Friday.

That being said, Leeds winning the Final happens after they lose their first Semi. Last year they lost to Saints in the first Semi Final, but won other matches to go into the final, beating Saints 33-6.

 

[HBK-aholic]

After an incredibly below-standard perfromance from the Rhinos, St Helens storm through to the final with a win that any supporter would enjoy watching. They showed what Rugby League was all about in that game, and no one could havebeaten them in form.

Leeds played awfully, hardly any breaks, did nothing with their chances, and the rightful winners won. One thing I love about Leeds, however is how great they can bounce back from anything. They will be ashamed of that performance, therefore meaning they will give everything in their second Semi-Final on Friday. I think we have a good chance of a re-match of last years final, which ended in Leeds winning 33-6.

 

[Italian MVP]

Yer I watched that game, Rhino's were poor but St Helens are looking good. Im barracking for Wigan though, Ive always had a soft spot for them and Barret looks like he is in some great form. And he is coming back to Australia next year back to the NRL were he belongs lol.

Well my team the Sydney Roosters were knocked out of the finals in straight sets. The Roosters were never going to win, they really overachieved this year as they have a young side. We finished 4th but we lost to 5th in the first week of the finals and then 8th in the second week of the finals to be knocked out. It was the first time in history in the NRL that the 8th place side beat 1st place it was a real shock. The Roosters have a problem with second half football. They have lost about 10 second half's this year and in the finals both games we were leading at half time only to be runned down and lose. With both those games combined we lost 40-0 in just the 2 second half's. Thats a bad stat to have and hopefully we can improve next season.

Gotta say though, this final series in the NRL has been spectacular. We have had games one in the last seconds, physical encounters that will leave the spectators hurting and fast pace action. Its been a final series to remember. Anyway just my rant on the NRL over he in Australia.

 

[HBK-aholic]

Yer I watched that game, Rhino's were poor but St Helens are looking good. Im barracking for Wigan though, Ive always had a soft spot for them and Barret looks like he is in some great form. And he is coming back to Australia next year back to the NRL were he belongs lol.

Wigan have been below par all season. I don't think the deserve to win the Grand Final this year. Leeds and St Helens have been the 2 most consistent, most entertaining teams and I think that it'd be fitting to have them in the final. Plus, it's be a great game considering what happened last year, and St Helens would want to beat them in revenge.

 

[Italian MVP]

Wigan have been below par all season. I don't think the deserve to win the Grand Final this year. Leeds and St Helens have been the 2 most consistent, most entertaining teams and I think that it'd be fitting to have them in the final. Plus, it's be a great game considering what happened last year, and St Helens would want to beat them in revenge.

Yer thats the same thing that everyone is saying over here in the NRL. The Storm and Manly have been the most consistent sides all year but now we have come to the games to get into the Grand Final and Manly and the Storm are sort of out of form and the teams their playing are running red hot. The Warriors came from 8th, no one has ever been past the first week of the finals and they did and now there so close to make a Grand Final its unbelievable. But my saying is the finals are a whole new competiton. It is irrelevant if you been the most consistent side all year, if you cant win come finals time, thats your bad luck. So whoever plays well in the finals desearves to be there no matter how bad they went throughout the season.

 

[HBK-aholic]

Sha la la la la la la la Leeds Leeds!
Sha la la la la la la la Leeds Leeds!
Sha la la la la la la la...

Old Trafford waits for Leeds!​

Epic game. Everything that was wrong with Leeds last week was fixed and better than ever this week. Best defense we've had all season, apart from a spell 5 minutes before the end. And if that's the only thing I can find to complain about, they've done well.

St Helens played great last week. This week Leeds played amazing. If both teams have this great form next week, we're looking at a Rugby League classic.

Leeds are my pick, obviously. They deserve it. We seem to enjoy making it hard for ourselves, losing at first and playing again. But as happened last year, with the same teams, we won and went to Old Trafford thrashing St Helens. I'm very confident we can do the same this year.

 

[HBK-aholic]

Sha la la la la la la la Leeds Leeds!
Sha la la la la la la la Leeds Leeds!
Sha la la la la la la la...

Old Trafford waits for Leeds!​

Epic game. Everything that was wrong with Leeds last week was fixed and better than ever this week. Best defense we've had all season, apart from a spell 5 minutes before the end. And if that's the only thing I can find to complain about, they've done well.

St Helens played great last week. This week Leeds played amazing. If both teams have this great form next week, we're looking at a Rugby League classic.

Leeds are my pick, obviously. They deserve it. We seem to enjoy making it hard for ourselves, losing at first and playing again. But as happened last year, with the same teams, we won and went to Old Trafford thrashing St Helens. I'm very confident we can do the same this year.

 

[HBK-aholic]

St Helens 16 - Leeds Rhinos 24​

Everyone congratulate the reigning champions Leeds Rhinos. The only team ever to be World Club Champions and Super League champions in the same year. In what was an epic game, Leeds came from 6-0 behind, to never being behind for the rest of the game. They didn't seem to get into the game until after the first 15, allowing Saints to score a try that shouldn't have been scored. However this seemed to be the kick they needed, and any doubts Leeds supporters had in the first 15 were washed away soon after.

In an almost sold out Stadium with near 70,000 people, the atmosphere was amazing. It's a good thing you only type on a forum, because I've lost my voice, and the 69,999 others probably have too. The loudest game I've ever been to, which is a huge thing when you're a season ticket for the Leeds Southstand - the loudest in Super League.

The celebrations afterwards were great. Seeing our captain crying with emotion was amazing - you could see what it means to him and to everyone else. They thank the fans, one of the reasons I love Rugby League so damn much.

Congratulations to Lee Smith - Man of the match and easily the best game he's ever played. He started off the scoring and was always a threat, as well as stopping countless tries. St Helens soon realised his young age wouldn't help them.

Something Saints are famous for are attacking the wings with least experience. It's a great tactic, when playing every other team. What they fail to realise is that Leeds have the best youth system in the League, and age means little to us. This is furthered even more when they focused on our other winger - a 20 year old Ryan Hall. My favourite player, and when you saw him in the game you can see why. Constantly put opposition wingers under pressure, and made no mistakes himself, also scoring and being a constant threat.

Another interesting point is that all of our tries came from players who have come up thrugh the system at Leeds, playing first for our academy and proving themselves. All the scorers were also relatively young. This gives me great confidence that Leeds won't be kicked out of their spot in Super League for a very long time - this is just the start. after a long spell some years ago with no trophies 3 championships in 5 years shows how far we've come. Statistically, this is Leeds best team ever. And with a youth side like we have I can see why.

The refereeing was bad. But I suppose you could say not biased. Both Leeds and Saints got some decisions which were wrong, or controversial. I was confused quite a few times when things such as an obvious forward pass were ignored, for both teams. He didn't seem to use his touch judges often; a common mistake for referees.

And I can't have a post about this without mentioning one St Helens player. James Graham - where's your Man of Steel award now? You are a piece of shit, never have I seen a player with an attitude as bad as yours. It baffles me how he won that award. When I honestly think he was the least deserving. I've posted about him before - taunting opposition fans after a try. He did the same again. It's honestly an awful thing to do and shows no proffesionalism at all. When we won the first thing I did was seek him out, and what a shock, he was bitching about it. If a Leeds fan had jumped over and slapped him silly I wouldn't have blamed them. Thankfully, we're not as bad as that.

Speaking of fans acting in that way, I'm not sure if it was because we were at a football stadium, but I saw the worst fight I've ever seen at the back of the stand I was in. The problem with finals at a neutral ground is that any supporters can be where they like. Leeds are at one side, Saints at the other. However, Bulls, Hull, Wigan and Wire fans were all migling with these fans. And, not surprisingly, this fight started with a Hull fan and a Bradford fan - 2 of our biggest rivals. They started taunting Leeds fans, who wouldn't retaliate so began fighting with each other - injuring a Leeds fan in the process. It was truly awful - the only fighting I've ever seen at rugby and it was awful. We're not football, let's keep it that way. It's no surprise when we travel to Hull all our coaches have a police escort out of the ground.

Once more, I just have to congratulate the Rhinos. No team deserved it like they did. Their passion for the game truely showed, and they pulled through bad conditions to get through. With the loss of Webb a day before the game, things looked bad. But they looked into the ranks, and had a back up readily available - one who ended up Man of the Match.

Congratulations Leeds - Champions 2007 & 2008. And the only team to ever be World Club Champions and Super League Champions in the same year.

 

[HBK-aholic]

R.I.P. Adam Watene

In one of the saddest tragedies to hit the RL world for decades, Adam Watene collapsed in the Wakefield club gym on October 13th. Only 31, he had many achievements, serving clubs all over the world. Best known for his stint at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats recently, he is often named as one of those who helped them avoid relegation only 2 seasons ago. Watene also had another season left on his contract, and was lifting weights with other team players as it happened.

This has really upset me. I've seen him play countless times, for Wakefield, Castleford and Bradford, and he was an amazing player. At 31, I don't even think we'd seen his best. He was getting better and better, who knows what he would have done this season. Always a constant threat, with coaches telling players to keep an eye on him.

This really reminds you what a dangerous sport RL is, or indeed, any professional sport is. While the cause of death is unknown, it isn't believed to have been brought on by anything he could have helped. By this I mean there were no use of steroids or other career-boosting drugs. It just seems so unfair, yet 'one of those things'.

Adam Watene..a true hero.