Does anyone else think the WC is wrong

[highland convert]

From a pool of 4 three go through. The others from a pool of 3 leave 1 another pool of 3 leave 1 then 1v1 so from 6 only one has a chance of the semifinal slot. I know these things have to be seeded but this takes the buscuit. England can go into the semi's winning 1 game. Scotland has to win a group a playof against a second group then semi and final A bit like 6th in the playoffs. Jim

[cpwigan]

I believe the structure if fair and good. Until today I would have argued the 4th team in Pool 1 should be France. It is the 4th team in Pool 1 who face the raw deal. For other nations it offers really competitive matchups with no humiliation. I believe that is borne out by the quality of matches in Pools 2 and 3 so far. What the tournament needs is for England or NZ to mount a serious challenge to Aus.

At the moment, the tournament is reflecting badly on the ;'strength' of the Northern Hemisphere. I honestly thought France with Catalan would have been better in this WC. Maybe it is also highlighting that if teams are selected fairly, the Southern Hemisphere can promote International RL far better than it has done by fielding strong national teams across several nations.

[cpwigan]

What I would like to see is some co-ordination between the 2 hemispheres to call a break for a fortnight or 3 weeks when State of Origin is scheduled. During that period;

Maori v Aboriginee, Tonga v Samoa, PNG v Fiji matches to take place. Maybe a Lebanon fixture.

Scotland v Wales, Ireland v Scotland, Ireland v Wales, England v France, France v NZ, England v NZ

And soon after a

NZ v Aus match

[cpwigan]

http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/lhqworl ... 00996.html

Good article

[gpartin]

http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/lhqworl ... 00996.html

Good article

He's right about the SOuth Sea Islanders being entertaining but he exaggerates the problem with the NRL to make his point!

[cpwigan]

He does Gp. I believe he is spot on re keeping the game flowing, making fatigue an element. However, Inglis and Falau etcare great to watch.

[gpartin]

He does Gp. I believe he is spot on re keeping the game flowing, making fatigue an element. However, Inglis and Falau etcare great to watch.

Yes his general point is fair enough, it would be interesting to see what he thinks about Fiji they were class today, they were so quick at the PTB I think England would have struggled against them. France were crap mind you

[FROM A TO B]

You would be better off inviting more emerging teams, don't let Australia compete and just give them the trophy at the end of the tournament.
Whilst I applaud the running of the WC, it is just showing how much of a minority sport this is and that there is only going to be same team that wins in the end.

Luckily I don't have Sky sports, but am listening on R5 Live (unfortunately)

[highland convert]

I still think 3 fro 4 is wrong. England were a disgrace. had it been two from 4 the determination would have been more intense. 8 teams in the WC. Maybe an emerging nations trophy for the less able. Scotland and Ireland played their hearts out as did other Kolpac nations. England saved it for later , I hope, Jim

[cpwigan]

England were not a disgrace. They tried but they were up against the best. Scotland got beat by a French team who got trounced by a Fiji team that had several amateurs in it. Ireland were give 2 ludicrous tries and a massve penalty count and a 1 man advantage BUT still could not beat Tonga. The Northern Hemisphere has done badly.

The format is fine. Previous formats using suggestions you outline were far worse. Bar matches involving Australia we have seen an excellent World Cup.

A/B has a better suggestion lol

Maybe dilute the Aussies further. Aboriginee Aus, NSW Aus, Queensland Aus ..