[Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy]

: Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:25 pm  

jinkin jimmy wrote:

I'm not trying to save face Andy. Who hasn't made a mistake?

I just generally feel that the RFL hasn't given the best opportunity to watch the best games to those who IMO deserve it most. I would imagine there are many up here who would have loved to go to see Aus v Kiwi. They may well still get the chance but it isn't a foregone conclusion, esp with them drawing that first fixture. You have a different view in that a gate of around 22000 at DW would be an indication of indifference. I don't view it that way.

If it is 22k I do think it's hugely disappointing that we can't sell this game out. It's likely to be the lowest attendance for a GB/England game over here against Australia since the 80's. There's a host of reasons why people will say they aren't going but for me the chance to see the Aussies in the flesh for the first time in 3 years and see the likes of Lockyer, Thurston, Inglis, Slater and Hayne should have seen this game sold out months ago.

: Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:52 pm  

Wigan/Leeds Andy wrote:

If it is 22k I do think it's hugely disappointing that we can't sell this game out. It's likely to be the lowest attendance for a GB/England game over here against Australia since the 80's. There's a host of reasons why people will say they aren't going but for me the chance to see the Aussies in the flesh for the first time in 3 years and see the likes of Lockyer, Thurston, Inglis, Slater and Hayne should have seen this game sold out months ago.

spot on.

I'm not really going for the game itself. If England avoid humiliation they'll be doing well. I hope I'm proved wrong but I can't see it being a good game.

BUT every RL fan should want to be at the game to see the Australian side, particularly the backs, who could well be the strongest backline ever in world rugby.

So I AM really looking forward to Saturday. I can't wait to see Inglis in particular. Meninga is the greatest player I've seen in RL (though in a poll a year or two ago on the Saints forum on this site to find the greatest ever players to play for Saints they rated Lyon and Gidley ahead of big Mal in the ultimate proof that Saints fans know nothing about RL ) and I never thought I'd see another centre with that combination of power, deceptive pace and great skills. And yet having seen a bit of Inglis play he seems to be Meninga Mk II, it will be fantastic to watch him play. And then there's Lockyer - an all time great of the sport, the chance to see him play is worth the admission price alone. Thurston, Slater, Hayne - these are all tremendous players. Obviously for patriotic reasons I hope they all have shockers and are totally outclassed by England's backline.

But if that doesn't happen then I will enjoy watching some truly great RL players. 15-20 years ago Wigan fans used to watch truly great players every game - Offiah, Hanley, Edwards, Paul, Tuigamala, Robinson, Miles, Farrell etc. - but its been pretty dismal fare in recent years. With the exception of Barrett we haven't had any truly world class players for years...

Though having said that there is a certain Sam Tomkins, who has the potential to reach that level of greatness. So the final reason I'm looking forward to Saturday's game is the chance to see Sam Tomkins tested against the very best. Will he be another Wigan great? Saturday alone probably won't answer that question, especially as he will in all likelihood be playing in a beaten side, but it should be very interesting to see how he goes. Come on Sam!

: Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:40 pm  

Why cant FANS get behind the side,ok we wasnt too good against the french but saturday is a new game a new venue and who knows with 25000 in the ground cheering on the lads anything can happen and a place in sporting hisrtoy can happen and i chance to say I WAS THERE.

: Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:58 pm  

jinkin jimmy wrote:

Why show RU prices as a comparison? You might as well show prices for the ballet for all I care. Also, where is the evidence that all RU fans are happy with these prices? Also, I note whilst 1 or 2 have chosen to respond to the element of my post concerning price, no-one has responded re the choice of venues for the first 2 games. If an indication of "ambition" is that the best game of the tournament is played 200 miles away from the diehard fans they can shove it for me.

I thought the venue choice was odd, but we'll have to disagree on pricing. And yes, RU fans so seem to be happy with the pricing at their games, in fact average attendances at RU games in their premiership are higher than SL average attendances.

: Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:37 am  

jinkin jimmy wrote:

I'm not trying to save face Andy. Who hasn't made a mistake?

I just generally feel that the RFL hasn't given the best opportunity to watch the best games to those who IMO deserve it most. I would imagine there are many up here who would have loved to go to see Aus v Kiwi. They may well still get the chance but it isn't a foregone conclusion, esp with them drawing that first fixture. You have a different view in that a gate of around 22000 at DW would be an indication of indifference. I don't view it that way.

Nothing stopped them. Those that wanted to watch it were perfectly able to do so.

: Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:22 pm  

Billinge_Lump wrote:

Nothing stopped them. Those that wanted to watch it were perfectly able to do so.

Correct. All they had to do was make a 400 mile round trip.

: Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:31 pm  

jinkin jimmy wrote:

Correct. All they had to do was make a 400 mile round trip.

I believe Billinge_Lump did.

: Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:36 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

I believe Billinge_Lump did.

The exception that proves the rule?

: Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:30 pm  

People don't complain about that trip when it's Wembley. In fact a lot of fans complain that we don't play international games at Wembley anymore, that the game was at The Stoop shouldn't make a difference. You're there to watch the game, not the stadium.

The fact of the matter is that the two best teams in the world were playing each other, and if people wanted to go they could. There is no argument against that.

: Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:33 pm  

jinkin jimmy wrote:

The exception that proves the rule?

What rule? That most RL fans bitch and whine if they have to travel more than an hour to see a game?