Gansons been named the ref, so we can expect many decisions going Saints way. Going to be a good game as long as Ganson doesnt get involved too much. 3 in a row for Leeds. I'd rather have played Saints than Wigan. Wigan looked really good untill last week, dont know how good they are going to be next year after Noble has left them. Whoever wins this plays Melbourne in the World Club Challenge.
Rugby League 2009 Season
- Thread starter HBK-aholic
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So another Aussie win in the WCC then?
Ahh you remind me why I am not at all fond of Leeds, but it muchy nicer than Salford (purely on the basis I have never had a brick thrown at me on Leeds)
Still, lets hope the match is remembered for the quality of the play not the bloke who reffed the damn thing
We can all hope
Ahh you remind me why I am not at all fond of Leeds, but it muchy nicer than Salford (purely on the basis I have never had a brick thrown at me on Leeds
)Still, lets hope the match is remembered for the quality of the play not the bloke who reffed the damn thing
We can all hopeTHATS WHY WERE CHAMPIONS
The Rhinos did it with an 18-10 win over St Helens. Fantastic game, so very tight. You have to give credit to saints for pushing us all the way, but the Rhinos deserved to win it in the end after all their hard work over the year. Was the try offside??? the video ref didnt think so, I thought it was to be honest and I really thought it would be No Try. Lee Smith was my man of the match, he played fantastic and we are really going to miss him next year. Sinfield was awesome as well and came out of nowhere to get that tackle in on Eastmond saving a certain try when the game was in the balance. 3 in a row now for the Rhinos. Perhaps 4 in a row?
The Rhinos did it with an 18-10 win over St Helens. Fantastic game, so very tight. You have to give credit to saints for pushing us all the way, but the Rhinos deserved to win it in the end after all their hard work over the year. Was the try offside??? the video ref didnt think so, I thought it was to be honest and I really thought it would be No Try. Lee Smith was my man of the match, he played fantastic and we are really going to miss him next year. Sinfield was awesome as well and came out of nowhere to get that tackle in on Eastmond saving a certain try when the game was in the balance. 3 in a row now for the Rhinos. Perhaps 4 in a row?
HBK-aholic
Shawn Michaels ❤
That's why we're champions, that's why we're champions, that's why we're champions!
We love you Leeds, Leeds, Leeds!
Champions 2009 - Let's go fucking mental!
Absolutely epic game. By far the closest game I've ever been to. 8-8 all at half time. Both teams then scoring 1-2 points via Drop goals and penalties until Leeds finally scored the try that clinched it, and brought the game to 17-10. A drop goal near the end just gave us that win.
Atmosphere was amazing. I was surrounded by all the weird people, as I always am. I remember being hugged by random people, but at that point I was so excited I just didn't care.
Saints fans were gutted, I've never been this happy. Absolutely fantastic game. Graham didn't get injured, but you can't ask for everything, can you? Long left winning nothing LOL. Damn I hate St Helens. Forever LEEDS!
We love you Leeds, Leeds, Leeds!
Champions 2009 - Let's go fucking mental!
Absolutely epic game. By far the closest game I've ever been to. 8-8 all at half time. Both teams then scoring 1-2 points via Drop goals and penalties until Leeds finally scored the try that clinched it, and brought the game to 17-10. A drop goal near the end just gave us that win.
Atmosphere was amazing. I was surrounded by all the weird people, as I always am. I remember being hugged by random people, but at that point I was so excited I just didn't care.
Saints fans were gutted, I've never been this happy. Absolutely fantastic game. Graham didn't get injured, but you can't ask for everything, can you? Long left winning nothing LOL. Damn I hate St Helens. Forever LEEDS!
KANE-A-KNIGHT
Occasional Pre-Show
Im not a big fan of rugby but im from warrington so im a warrington wolves fan (dont even know if there in league or union) you would be suprised how much warrington are just glory sporters. wolves went from having 2 fans to having 2000. Is the challange cup even an important title?
HBK-aholic
Shawn Michaels ❤
Lol, no. The Challenge Cup is the smallest of the awards, it's only seen as such a big deal because the final is played at Wembley. In general, only the people whose teams are in it really care. The fact that Warrington and Huddersfield were the 2 teas in the final really shows that to RL fans. Where were the Leeds? the Saints? The Bulls? The Warriors? The bigger teams concentrate on Old Trafford and the League Leaders because they're better. Coincidentally Leeds won both.. 
And Wolves are League. Don't even mention the nasty 'U' word in my RL thread
And Wolves are League. Don't even mention the nasty 'U' word in my RL thread
KANE-A-KNIGHT
Occasional Pre-Show
Everyone in warrington who knew nothing about rugby like me all thought that warrington were the best team in england. Where are warrington in the league?
9th or 10th I think, can't remember off hand. Anyway club rugby is over for the rest of the year (bar Christmas games) so now it is time for the 4 nations involving:
Australia
England
Fance
New Zealand
This is the expansin of the tri nations involving GB, Aus and NZ. GB have now become England (funding issuses I think) and with the addition of France shoould make for an interesting tournement.
New Zealand are the currrent World Champions and pose a real threat to the Australian team who many put as the favorites for the title. They have won the final once (2005) and finished top of the prelim group twice (1999, 2005) and the first team to win the final after finishing top in the first stage beating Australia 24-0.
Australia have won the old tri nations 3 times (1999, 2004, 2006) and finished top of the table in the prelim group twice (1999, 2006)
Great Britian (Now England, all the old GB squad made up the England squad upon the rebranding) have not won the Tri Nations but did finish 1st in the prelim group in 2004 but lost the final 44-4 to Australia.
France - the new boys who in all honesty are not fancied to do very much but surprises can happen.
In 2010 the tournement will not feature France but a Pacific Island qualifier, lets hop France don't shock us all other wise quite a storm could be made if they are not allowed to defend their title in 2010.
Australia
England
Fance
New Zealand
This is the expansin of the tri nations involving GB, Aus and NZ. GB have now become England (funding issuses I think) and with the addition of France shoould make for an interesting tournement.
New Zealand are the currrent World Champions and pose a real threat to the Australian team who many put as the favorites for the title. They have won the final once (2005) and finished top of the prelim group twice (1999, 2005) and the first team to win the final after finishing top in the first stage beating Australia 24-0.
Australia have won the old tri nations 3 times (1999, 2004, 2006) and finished top of the table in the prelim group twice (1999, 2006)
Great Britian (Now England, all the old GB squad made up the England squad upon the rebranding) have not won the Tri Nations but did finish 1st in the prelim group in 2004 but lost the final 44-4 to Australia.
France - the new boys who in all honesty are not fancied to do very much but surprises can happen.
In 2010 the tournement will not feature France but a Pacific Island qualifier, lets hop France don't shock us all other wise quite a storm could be made if they are not allowed to defend their title in 2010.
HBK-aholic
Shawn Michaels ❤
England won't win. They'll defeat France, but quite probably get their ass handed to them by NZ and Aus, moreso Aus. It's not that English Rugby League players are bad, it's that they don't work as a team enough - a problem the English football team has as well. RL is so competitive with such high feelings involved I really doubt they could do it. Especially if James Graham is involved. I know you're a Saints fan Chris, but he is by far the most unprofessional player in the game. Not sure whether you saw the Leeds/Saints game at Headingley a few weeks back, but after the game which Leeds won, while the rest of the team shook hands with each other, Graham stormed off to the dressing room in a bitch fit. Can you see him working well with a Leeds player, the team the England squad is most likely to be influenced by?
I know I'm not a fan of League at all, it doesn't exist in my part of the world and it doesn't garner as much interest in the media as Union, but the Challenge Cup is probably universalls more popular than the Grand Final.
Maybe not for League fans, but it is the only competition that gets screened live on TV. Like in football The F.A. Cup final is seen as bigger than the Premier League final week due to being on terrestrial tv. So for the fan, I wouldn't know and you'll be accurate, but for the neutral the Challenge Cup is a big thing.
I'll grant you that one on Jammer. But I am glad to see a player so affected by games and results, true passion is something that England lack and he has it by the bucket load. Now if we could harness that in a positive way as opposed to the example given I think he could help lead England to great things
HBK-aholic
Shawn Michaels ❤
Lead? James Graham will never be a leader. He wouldn't even be a player if it was up to me. Did you see Sinfield's speech after our win on Saturday? That is true passion. He's a great guy who loves the sport, his team, and his fans.
How do you think the loss of Saints players are going to affect them next season? Long used to be a huge influence in the team but Eastmond is a fine replacement - one of my favourite Saints players. However, Long has a lot of experience, and I think his move to Hull will definitely strengthen them.
How do you think the loss of Saints players are going to affect them next season? Long used to be a huge influence in the team but Eastmond is a fine replacement - one of my favourite Saints players. However, Long has a lot of experience, and I think his move to Hull will definitely strengthen them.
No I didn't, I needed a drink, a stiff one
I never liked Sinfield, never will. Club loyalties I think, but I do rate Graham very highly and yes I think with a good few years under his belt he can be a great leader (Sinfield wasn't the leader he is now all the time - cup final against Bradford, 2 behing, penalty under the stick and he taps it?! Always take the 2 on offer in that situation!!!)Now as for how it will affect us, hpefully it will make Harry (Potter) get Matty Smith back (is he still on our books?), slot Eastmond into 6, Leon on the wing and Meli into the 4 slot (that is how I'd structure the team anyway) and build from there really. We are in transition now and honestly don't see us makeing many more (if any) finals for the next 2-4 years (unless the team really surprise me)
HBK-aholic
Shawn Michaels ❤
No I didn't, I needed a drink, a stiff one
Sinfield went for the win in that situation. Now obviously it didn't pay off, but can you imagine the difference if something HAD happened and a try had been scored? I admire the courage in that sense.
Again, I can't see Graham as a leader. He's not a bad rugby league player (I think my started to burn as I typed that) but his personality is completely wrong for it. He's immature and he's rude.
Yeah I think I'm with you on that final part. St Helens weren't a great team going towards the end of the season and I don't think the changes are going to help that. They had a good few years and will no doubt be back sometime soon, but I don't think next season is theres. The only problem there is, who will it be? I know I'm slightly biased, but I think there's little doubt the Rhinos will again be the top team in terms of trophies and possibly the league leaders shield (Feel free to argue that) but who's strong enough to take Saints position? Will we just have an easy road to the final this year?
Yes i can imagine the difference. Imagin the Eastmond no try, had Long droped a goal what would have happened from then on? swings and round about sadly.
Graham is young and relativly inexperienced considering the position he plays (most props are in the late 20s early 30s before becoming really solid and great in that position) give him a few more years and see how he has turned out.
Personally I hope we promote from within, get the base of the side home grown (like Leeds have done, can not argue that point) and build up from there. As I said leeds have done exactly that and you just won your 3rd title in a row. League leaders and Grand Final I think Leeds can take yes (read last paragraph for a possible reason for not winning them), cup, well one bad game and that is gone, I mean Wire won it this year. I don't think the cup is any way shape or form certain, 1 bad decision and bam you could be out.
No you won't have an easier road to the finals anyway, you are losing at least one good player and who knows what injuries may happen between now and next October, maybe Wigan and Bradford could be contesting the grand final you never know.
Chris
HBK-aholic
Shawn Michaels ❤
I'm not denying Graham is a good player, especially for his age which you pointed out. But there are plenty of players who are his age or younger and are respectful of the game, the fans and the players.
Bradford? Lol, I really doubt that. I was thinking more Hull KR and Huddersfield actually. Huddersfield had a disappointing end to arguably their greatest season in Super League, same with KR. If they continue their excellent work I can see them being very strong in the upcoming years.
Bradford? Lol, I really doubt that. I was thinking more Hull KR and Huddersfield actually. Huddersfield had a disappointing end to arguably their greatest season in Super League, same with KR. If they continue their excellent work I can see them being very strong in the upcoming years.
I used Bradford and Wigan as an example based on the clubs we support, it was never meant as a realistic prediction
Again I think Graham has a lot to learn, considering he has rarely been in a beaten pack he hasn't tasted the tough side that some players have. Hopfully with some more experience and a few more years playing the game he will be a better, well rounded player.
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