Welsh Pride and Rugby Leagues Future

Well I was there among the hardy faithful of just under 3,500 on Saturday evening in the lovely environs of the Brewery Field. A heavy defeat to England should be a cause of despondency but two players with two contrasting attitudes ensured that this wasn't the case.

One is a rugby mercenary for whom the shirt means nothing except what it adds to his market value. Nothing wrong with earning a living for a dangerous and hard job. Rugby league was founded on that basic piece of social justice. But to wear the Welsh shirt one minute and the English one the next? That is the action of a prostitute. Step forward Gareth Carvell.

The other player is Rhys Griffiths. Alongside many new caps Rhys signals the end of the Englishmen in Welsh shirts. Although temporarily helping to put out a competitive Welsh side, this tendency has held Welsh rugby league back.

Rhys buried his Grandmother on Saturday and honoured her memory with distinction, pride and courage in playing for Wales. These boys will not be hawking their loyalties to the highest bidder and that might just mean Wales meeting England, Australia and New Zealand in the near future.

To do that of course requires victory in next years European Cup. Seeding for which is determined by this years offering. Victory away to Serbia is followed by a home match against Ireland this Sunday 1st Novermber in Pontypridd. Then finals day is at the Brewery Field, Sunday 8th November.

H'way the lads!

England Rugby League Coach Betrays International Competition

So after arguing, in a casual not related to anything honest way, that players should be allowed to flit from international team to international team, Tony Smith steals some Irish players. The Rugby League International Federation, a body not even able to maintain its own website, agreed to this. In other words whoever happened to be in the office said "Yeah mate why not?"

We of course are still waiting for someone to explain why the Great Britain side was split up if players are going to just be allowed to switch to England whenever they fancy it. Short sighted barely covers it.

Luckily Welsh rugby league is busy trying to establish at least a modicum of credibility. Hopefully the lads can put up a decent fight against the Northern Hemisphere Select XIII on October 17th at the Brewery Field, Bridgend. Genuine English fans should be cheering the boys in scarlet on.

Onwards and upwards, or at least sidewards.