It's been awhile but here is some more rugby league goodness for the netizens of the world. Rather than create a seperate entry for all of my new articles, i'll save us all some time and list wot i bin and done. Never fear the witticisms will return to the joy of all.
A guide to National Rugby League teams in Australasia
Rugby League Carnegie World Club Challenge
Rugby Leagues Super League Franchises 2012
Masters Rugby League in the United Kingdom
Bon Appetit!
Thursday, 16 December 2010
Monday, 11 January 2010
A New Rugby League Season Beckons
Well it is never an easy ride in Rugby League. The Crusaders have moved to Wrexham amongst much controversy, the Rugby League International Federation (which resembles one of those old Soviet Union front groups - all title, no content or real authority) still hasn't released any credible accounts for the 2008 World Cup, we've lost more players to rugby union (who will get declared failures after walking straight into whatever national team they feel like) and yet...
The new season is approaching. There won't be any big coverage and the Rugby Football League still won't work out the importance of a proper all guns blazing season start. But I can't bloody wait.
The World Club Challenge, between Leeds Rhinos and Melbourne Storm, is perhaps the perfect introduction to rugby league. It'll be the third biggest crowd of the season, played with fire and grit and immense skill. It'll raise money for the sport, get decent coverage on the BBC for once and err the fans will moan about it, the Aussies will denigrate it and Richard Lewis will mutter under his breath about this bloody stubborn bunch.
Who the hell doesnt love this sport!
Tally Ho!
The new season is approaching. There won't be any big coverage and the Rugby Football League still won't work out the importance of a proper all guns blazing season start. But I can't bloody wait.
The World Club Challenge, between Leeds Rhinos and Melbourne Storm, is perhaps the perfect introduction to rugby league. It'll be the third biggest crowd of the season, played with fire and grit and immense skill. It'll raise money for the sport, get decent coverage on the BBC for once and err the fans will moan about it, the Aussies will denigrate it and Richard Lewis will mutter under his breath about this bloody stubborn bunch.
Who the hell doesnt love this sport!
Tally Ho!
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Australia Beat England at Rugby League. Nation in shock.
What is it about sport that allows you to deny the pulsating reality of history, ability, player numbers and terrifying big blokes who should not be that nimble on their feet? It is of course the essence of sport otherwise most contests would be over before they started. But bloody hell come on - let us win at least one in a blue moon.
Sorry this post does not impart any great wisdom which is of course unusual for me. Cough. But hey ho, there is always next year. Cheer yourself up by perusing my many other words of wisdom here on my suite101.com article spectacular. The sure cure for those rugby league blues.
My predictions for the future: Wales RL to win the European Cup, the Four Nations and the Rugby League World Cup...all before England beat Australia in a meaningful game.
Bore Da!
Sorry this post does not impart any great wisdom which is of course unusual for me. Cough. But hey ho, there is always next year. Cheer yourself up by perusing my many other words of wisdom here on my suite101.com article spectacular. The sure cure for those rugby league blues.
My predictions for the future: Wales RL to win the European Cup, the Four Nations and the Rugby League World Cup...all before England beat Australia in a meaningful game.
Bore Da!
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Wales Wins Rugby League European Cup: Future Bright for Sport in Wales
A young inexperienced and significantly Welsh side beat Scotland, not so Scottish unfortunately, 28-16 in the final of the European Cup in Bridgend on Sunday 8th November 2009. This is a red letter day for the sport for many different reasons. Injuries had reduced the team to a mixture of young Welsh born players and more experienced grandparent rule guys committed to the Welsh cause.
The new management team of Iestyn Harris and Clive Griffiths have instilled a determination and commitment to attacking rugby league, designed to work to the strengths of Welsh rugby playing culture. The players have taken to this and have shown some steel in coming from behind for the second game in a row.
The rugby league authorities have put in place a more structured and long term international programme which if stuck by will see many dividends for the code. This year has been a ranking tournament. Unfortunately it has also seen Serbia relegated to the European Shield by a thrown together 'Italian' side. The Italians have no domestic tournament whilst the Serbs have worked to develop open age and student teams that play a proper season. They deserve better then this.
The Welsh of course have the advantage of a Super League team, Crusaders Rugby League, who have pulled young Welsh men into the orbit of rugby league. This makes them surely second favourites to France who will join the European Cup next year having played in the Four Nations this year. 2010 will be a qualifying tournament, the winners of which will enter the 2011 Four Nations, which will be played in the UK.
The history of rugby league in Wales is long and littered with mistakes and short sightedness. Hopefully we are seeing lessons from the past well learned and a genuine future established.
The new management team of Iestyn Harris and Clive Griffiths have instilled a determination and commitment to attacking rugby league, designed to work to the strengths of Welsh rugby playing culture. The players have taken to this and have shown some steel in coming from behind for the second game in a row.
The rugby league authorities have put in place a more structured and long term international programme which if stuck by will see many dividends for the code. This year has been a ranking tournament. Unfortunately it has also seen Serbia relegated to the European Shield by a thrown together 'Italian' side. The Italians have no domestic tournament whilst the Serbs have worked to develop open age and student teams that play a proper season. They deserve better then this.
The Welsh of course have the advantage of a Super League team, Crusaders Rugby League, who have pulled young Welsh men into the orbit of rugby league. This makes them surely second favourites to France who will join the European Cup next year having played in the Four Nations this year. 2010 will be a qualifying tournament, the winners of which will enter the 2011 Four Nations, which will be played in the UK.
The history of rugby league in Wales is long and littered with mistakes and short sightedness. Hopefully we are seeing lessons from the past well learned and a genuine future established.
Sunday, 18 October 2009
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!
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!
Friday, 2 October 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Nothing Toulouse? Oh Good Grief!
The history of growth and expansionism in rugby league is not exactly one that can be drawn in a straight line. For a variety of reasons, some more controversial then others, it has never quite reached the tipping point for a major sport. For some of us tired of the corporate cynicism that has taken over many other sports this is a boon. However the good fight is still being fought.
Recently the sport in France has got its act together, at least relatively. However whatever progress has been made must be part of an ongoing push, properly resourced and properly planned. The possibility of Toulouse Olympique becoming part of European Super League is strong but should not be taken for granted. We shall see.
See ya!
Recently the sport in France has got its act together, at least relatively. However whatever progress has been made must be part of an ongoing push, properly resourced and properly planned. The possibility of Toulouse Olympique becoming part of European Super League is strong but should not be taken for granted. We shall see.
See ya!
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