Well. Rugby League is a great sport but internationally it has suffered for a long time. There always have been only 3 nations of strength, Aus, NZ and England. The next tier is really the pacific islands, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, PNG and France
Sit with them. The other nations are way below really, Lebanon are all Aussies in disguise though.

So there have always been mismatches in the World Cup and theyve historically tinkered with the format to try and create more
Sense of jeopardy. The field levelled up a bit this year as the representation rules changed and the pacific islands have gained a lot of players from NZ who are now eligible for their islands of heritage. But the reality has been that the games still havent been tight
Enough.

The two matches that could have been close were scheduled last in the group stages- but Samoa thrashed France tonight. Tomorrow Papua New Guinea v Wales could be close.

The last 8 of Australia v Lebanon, NZ v Fiji, England v PNG or Wales and Tonga v Samoa could be close and the last match harder to call. Last World Cup, Tonga amazed many and could reach the last 4 again. But an Aussie v England final looks likely.

The organisers heralded there would be record crowds but they are indeed down and down
On expectations and the last domestic World Cup. Which is disappointing.

I am a rugby league fan though and hope the last 8 throws up some closer matches

That was the best game so far. Fiji were unlucky not to win, but NZ will get thrashed by Aus if they play to that level.

paulisi wrote:

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Tonga v Samoa was pretty close as expected.

I don't think England will win as easily against Samoa as last time.

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 yep, Samoa have improved and did well to beat Tonga - hard to see them turning around a near 60 point loss from the opener but Im sure it will be closer this weekend. 

semis are at Elland Road for Australia and New Zealand, Emirates for England and Samoa. Hopefully we will get two big crowds. 

Wow, Samoa beat England by a golden goal in extra time. Stunning - have Samoa ever reached a world final of any sport ?!

I could see wheelchair rugby being in the paralympics at some stage

This is a different version to the one we have just watched.