Tomkins for England RU!

[cpwigan]

I found the game quite poor to watch really albeit you can factor in the conditions. At his mecurial best I think Wade Cooper is a very special rugby talent but we never got the opportunity to see him or anybody else excel. However, the modern Union player is high quality player IMO. The young winger for England looked very promising.

[Blackpool_Pie]

To say union is amateurish is pathetic. Joel was pushed aside by a handoff in a one on one today. He was left on his arse flailing thin air. Didnt see that happen once in the SL

He wouldn't have pushed joel aside when he was fitter and stronger playing for Wigan 2 seasons ago.

Oh stop it. What bollocks. I cant get my head around ridiculous comments like this.

[cow yeds]

To say union is amateurish is pathetic. Joel was pushed aside by a handoff in a one on one today. He was left on his arse flailing thin air. Didnt see that happen once in the SL

He wouldn't have pushed joel aside when he was fitter and stronger playing for Wigan 2 seasons ago.

Oh stop it. What bollocks. I cant get my head around ridiculous comments like this.

[Owd Codger]

Never will be better than Rugby League when more time is spent on rucks, mauls and more time wasted kicking the the ball out of play.

And also games determined by penalties for technical offences which the average supporter I suspect, has not got a club about.

And for the crowds at Twickers, the large number of free tickets given out to private schools and businesses, especially in the City of London.

[devon jim 1]

Last Union game I went to see England v Argentina couple of years back. It was worse than dire. Watching the game with my son-in-law(Exeter fan). On hearing loud clapping and roars I enquired of my s-i-l what the excitement was cos nothing exciting was happening in the game.He directed my attention to the crowd behind the sticks throwing their paper welcome place mats made into airoplanes attempting to pass them between the said sticks.Those that did received raptious applause- an indication of how compelling the game was. watched by 80,000 people.The game was televised. but this sequence of events was not highlighted. Barnes no doubt stuck for words or worse totally embarrassed.Those who enjoy Union all well and good Those who enjoy both consult a doctor you may be schizoid.(joke intended). I've wached quite a bit of Union over the years and never once have I been on the edge of my seat - no intensity at all.If what I think is pathetic at least I'm not sad. Enjoy the game

[upminsterwarrior]

To say union is amateurish is pathetic. Joel was pushed aside by a handoff in a one on one today. He was left on his arse flailing thin air. Didnt see that happen once in the SL

From memory the player in question was Isreal Folau (spelling) wasn't he an ex-league man himself??

I have to admit to not being a fan of Union myself, but had more of an interest since first Robinson, then Farrell and now Tomkins, Faz and Ashton are in the side. I managed to watch the scond half at the weekend (rather than a one sided RL international) and TBH I think both sides were poor and it wasn't really a good advert for Rugby in general.

However, I'm pretty sure that at some point I heard the commentator say "the Wigan connection working well" or similar. So if nothing else it is getting the Wigan name out there.

Also - in all the build up to the match I read in the papers Joels introduction always seemed to be followed by the line "brother of England RL international Sam Tomkins" - any publicity is good publicity!

[Owd Codger]

Bill McLaren must be turning in his grave with all the mentioning of players from Rugby League in Union.

A few years ago when he was announcing Union International teams, he always said what private school a player went to ex. Harrow, Eton, Rugby etc

Always remember him saying in subdued voice when announcing a England selection, Francis Clough, St John Fisher High School, Wigan.

Clough like Farrell today being a sad loss to our game as like Farrell he was a outstanding Stand Off who as a schoolboy was expected to sign for Wigan.

How times have changed!

[Panchitta Marra]

To say union is amateurish is pathetic. Joel was pushed aside by a handoff in a one on one today. He was left on his arse flailing thin air. Didnt see that happen once in the SL

He wouldn't have pushed joel aside when he was fitter and stronger playing for Wigan 2 seasons ago.

Oh stop it. What bollocks. I cant get my head around ridiculous comments like this.

Bollocks my arse.
on the form and fitness joel tomkins was at in the 2011 challenge cup final he wouldn't have been caught out.
Far different strengths and fitness levels required in league and powell is a prime example to that.

[WiganShark]

It seems some who do occasionally watch Union only look for and see the the negative aspects. Well FWIW I can also comment on the same in League... I've many a dower game at the DW and that farce of a semi at Leigh was just a joke. I was at Langtree park last week for Aus Fiji, great stadium rubbish boring one sided rugby. I then watched the England Ireland one sided farce. Look at the match ups this weekend.
RL England Fiji Aus Ireland, boy the competitiveness will keep you on the edge of your seats!
RU England Pumas, Wales Springboks, France All Blacks, England France Women's Int. RL WC vs AI's no contest AI's for me.

[Owd Codger]

It seems some who do occasionally watch Union only look for and see the the negative aspects. Well FWIW I can also comment on the same in League... I've many a dower game at the DW and that farce of a semi at Leigh was just a joke. I was at Langtree park last week for Aus Fiji, great stadium rubbish boring one sided rugby. I then watched the England Ireland one sided farce. Look at the match ups this weekend.
RL England Fiji Aus Ireland, boy the competitiveness will keep you on the edge of your seats!
RU England Pumas, Wales Springboks, France All Blacks, England France Women's Int. RL WC vs AI's no contest AI's for me.

Perhaps that's because their are more negatives than positives in Union and over the years there have been also been some one sided games in both Club and International matches. games