Re: INT | GB Lions & England : Sat Oct 19, 2019 5:18 pm  

Charlie Sheen wrote:

Any test series against anyone is more important than any 9s tournament.

Spot on. The first GB test series in 12 years, first GB tour in what? 23 years?

The 9’s is minuscule in importance by comparison.

England Knights v Jamaica : Mon Oct 21, 2019 1:55 pm  

Great to see a 7,000 attendance yesterday, probably including many first time visitors to Headingley. I expected about 1,000 to be honest. Richardson went ok, might improve Cas next season.Leeds lads were ok,although I don't really see what Cam Smith brings. Oh and can we have the steel band at every game next season and get rid of the moron with the lone drum

Lions Suffer Defeat In Tour Opener Against Tonga : Sat Oct 26, 2019 9:04 am  

Lions Suffer Defeat In Tour Opener Against Tonga Nothing sets the pulse of a rugby league fan racing like a Great Britain Lions Tour down under, and after a twelve year absence the Lions opened their four match odyssey with a visit to the FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton City, New Zealand, to take on a Tongan Invitational XIII. There was only one survivor in the GB squad from the side which whitewashed New Zealand in 2007, the skipper James Graham who had been a substitute in Tony Smith's side in all three matches during the last UK test series. There was a strong and passionate Tongan support in Hamilton for the game (despite the recent issues and some requests for Tongan supporters to stay away), a good contingent of tourist supporters who had made the long trip, and plenty of neutrals who were getting a look at the Lions side ahead of the two match series against New Zealand. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

Lions Suffer Defeat In Tour Opener Against Tonga Nothing sets the pulse of a rugby league fan racing like a Great Britain Lions Tour down under, and after a twelve year absence the Lions opened their four match odyssey with a visit to the FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton City, New Zealand, to take on a Tongan Invitational XIII. There was only one survivor in the GB squad from the side which whitewashed New Zealand in 2007, the skipper James Graham who had been a substitute in Tony Smith's side in all three matches during the last UK test series. There was a strong and passionate Tongan support in Hamilton for the game (despite the recent issues and some requests for Tongan supporters to stay away), a good contingent of tourist supporters who had made the long trip, and plenty of neutrals who were getting a look at the Lions side ahead of the two match series against New Zealand. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

Re: Lions Suffer Defeat In Tour Opener Against Tonga : Sat Oct 26, 2019 9:21 am  

We're so pedestrian. In Hodgson and Widdop we have two pivots who don't commit defenders, and in Hodgson's case, cannot pass directly from the floor. When he have two pivots who don't do that, then it doesn't matter whose in your backline. Coote is the same, but with the added disadvantage of being a terrible defender.

Graham also looks done, and the pack lacked any dynamism without Sam Burgess. Watts and Clark should've been in the 17.

Re: Lions Suffer Defeat In Tour Opener Against Tonga : Sat Oct 26, 2019 9:30 am  

Tonga is my favourite side to watch, brilliant approach to the game.

As for GB; probably not all doom and gloom but we look past our best. Not a fan of Hardaker in the centres, he needs to play FB. If we’re giving away size and power, we need to be better with skill, control and aerobic fitness - couldn’t quite manage it.

Re: Lions Suffer Defeat In Tour Opener Against Tonga : Sat Oct 26, 2019 10:21 am  

Widdopp too often plays like a slightly better version of Ben Walker - lots of passes and involvement that adds to nothing. Lomax looked better than anyone else.

Re: Lions Suffer Defeat In Tour Opener Against Tonga : Sat Oct 26, 2019 10:23 am  

Definitely.

Re: Lions Suffer Defeat In Tour Opener Against Tonga : Sat Oct 26, 2019 10:51 am  

He needs to straighten up his game and commit defenders. Lomax was direct and caused Tonga problems as a result. The whole game plan was too conservative and our 1-5 pretty ordinary as well.

Re: Lions Suffer Defeat In Tour Opener Against Tonga : Sat Oct 26, 2019 2:08 pm  

Very little shark or creativity. Like watching Leeds this season

Re: Lions Suffer Defeat In Tour Opener Against Tonga : Sat Oct 26, 2019 2:14 pm  

We looked out of form and out of ideas. We struggled to hold their intensity and as a result played under pressure for much of the game. Our pack couldn’t really get us on the front foot, and our halves didn’t create anything of note.

We look slow as a team, and with Gildart being injured, it’s likely WB will move Bateman to Centre and then we probably look slower still.

Tonga are a great team to watch, they have some outstanding players, and no real weak link. The passion they play with in fantastic to watch.