jim
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Post by jim on May 21, 2009 23:18:53 GMT 10
I agree, no where near 5th best. Wales have been poor the last few years, sure a few second rate Aussies will qualify for Wales soon but its not enough. The side has had too much quality taken out in the last two years Breirs, Cunningham and Harris is the heart ripped out of any 2nd tier nation IMO. After the euro nations we will know a lot more about who is where in that second tier, Ireland and Scotland had strong World cups but that doesnt mean they are in the box seat either. I agree, where are the mods in this bloody place ;D But you would have to agree that the 2nd tier is very close Marv. So I would naturally think in 5 years with a SL club Wales will have a very good chance of moving past the all the rest except for France. Take those under 18's in the GB squad for example, they will be 23 or there abouts by the time the next world cup, so we should see a fair few welsh youngsters by then. |
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Post by Marv on May 22, 2009 2:51:30 GMT 10
But you would have to agree that the 2nd tier is very close Marv. So I would naturally think in 5 years with a SL club Wales will have a very good chance of moving past the all the rest except for France. Take those under 18's in the GB squad for example, they will be 23 or there abouts by the time the next world cup, so we should see a fair few welsh youngsters by then. I think thats fair enough Jim, I just dont see a clear pack leader in the second tier ATM, as I said before the WC Scotland, Wales and Ireland are very close together in terms of current selections, I just felt Wales were a little off the pace against Scotland and since they have lost more experienced players, they are almost competley re-building. Obviously Wales has some promising talent in the pipeline, not just at Celtic but at other SL/Champ clubs too. |
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Post by sportsmad on May 22, 2009 5:33:09 GMT 10
der , of course france are in the four nations, dont i feel stupid  8 nations. first ive heard of it , sounds like a really good idea. how sure are you of this? |
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Post by Druzik on May 22, 2009 6:51:12 GMT 10
der , of course france are in the four nations, dont i feel stupid 8 nations. first ive heard of it , sounds like a really good idea. how sure are you of this? Yeah I have seen it touted once in an article a while back and also just talking with a couple people thats what they would like. Again what we will actually see, who really knows... look at the fluff up that the Pac Nations is. |
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Post by sportsmad on May 22, 2009 12:49:18 GMT 10
having the pacific nations in sydney is a disgrace. whats the point in having it at all if its not in the participating countries? can anyone actually see any real positives or advances having it here (an actual question)? it shows the RLIF think exacly like the NRL.
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Post by Druzik on May 22, 2009 16:25:51 GMT 10
having the pacific nations in sydney is a disgrace. whats the point in having it at all if its not in the participating countries? can anyone actually see any real positives or advances having it here (an actual question)? it shows the RLIF think exacly like the NRL. Its being moved to PNG now... only the Samoa v Cook Is qualifier is being played in Aus and either in Townsville, Brisie or Cairns. The RLIF has too many conflict of interest as far as I am concerned. The top eschelons of it should be indpendent, not aligned with with countries. |
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Post by sportsmad on May 22, 2009 16:49:33 GMT 10
when did this happen? all of it in PNG? this website has it staged in sydney.....
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Post by Druzik on May 22, 2009 17:23:28 GMT 10
when did this happen? all of it in PNG? this website has it staged in sydney..... Latest issue of rugby league review magazine has it like that. Ya I need to update the site sorry... I have had a bit on my plate lately.... I'll do it today... I have a long weeknd so have some time to do it. Thanks for the heads up. |
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jim
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Posts: 1,150
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Post by jim on May 22, 2009 17:26:17 GMT 10
But you would have to agree that the 2nd tier is very close Marv. So I would naturally think in 5 years with a SL club Wales will have a very good chance of moving past the all the rest except for France. Take those under 18's in the GB squad for example, they will be 23 or there abouts by the time the next world cup, so we should see a fair few welsh youngsters by then. I think thats fair enough Jim, I just dont see a clear pack leader in the second tier ATM, as I said before the WC Scotland, Wales and Ireland are very close together in terms of current selections, I just felt Wales were a little off the pace against Scotland and since they have lost more experienced players, they are almost competley re-building. Obviously Wales has some promising talent in the pipeline, not just at Celtic but at other SL/Champ clubs too. I think Wales now have a massive advantage over the rest of the 2nd teir nations besides France. They will produce juniors at a much more rapid rate now and the more genuine welshman the better. Does anyone think Danny Brough for example would have put his hand up for England this year if he was born and raised iN Scotland with an English granparent? I seem to doubt it. They will also have the advantage that France have had for a few years that they will get SL quality players eligable through residency aswell. It is a long way out but if their juniors develop well and they manage to lure a few non-welsh crusaders players Wales could be very competitive. I'm a big fan of Halley, hopefully he stays with Wales because he could very well be a player oppositions really fear in a few years time. |
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jim
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Posts: 1,150
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Post by jim on May 22, 2009 17:28:31 GMT 10
der , of course france are in the four nations, dont i feel stupid 8 nations. first ive heard of it , sounds like a really good idea. how sure are you of this? Yeah I have seen it touted once in an article a while back and also just talking with a couple people thats what they would like. Again what we will actually see, who really knows... look at the fluff up that the Pac Nations is. Can't remember exactly where I heard it but I heard France would go back to the EC next year and the 6th place finisher would drop into a "B" comp with Germany, Italy, CZech Republic, Ukraine and Latvia. Although I imagine the pools and rankings may have to be revsied with countries like Netherlands (again), Belgium, Norway etc starting the game. |
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Post by Druzik on May 22, 2009 18:14:26 GMT 10
Yeah I have seen it touted once in an article a while back and also just talking with a couple people thats what they would like. Again what we will actually see, who really knows... look at the fluff up that the Pac Nations is. Can't remember exactly where I heard it but I heard France would go back to the EC next year and the 6th place finisher would drop into a "B" comp with Germany, Italy, CZech Republic, Ukraine and Latvia. Although I imagine the pools and rankings may have to be revsied with countries like Netherlands (again), Belgium, Norway etc starting the game. That was speculation on my part and others on here aaaaages ago about it being 6 teams... but since having spoken to a few others it seems that it will be an 8 team comp... the 8th coming up from the Euro shield or Holland coming in again.... I would br disapointed in a 6 team euro cup. |
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jim
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Posts: 1,150
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Post by jim on May 22, 2009 20:09:01 GMT 10
Can't remember exactly where I heard it but I heard France would go back to the EC next year and the 6th place finisher would drop into a "B" comp with Germany, Italy, CZech Republic, Ukraine and Latvia. Although I imagine the pools and rankings may have to be revsied with countries like Netherlands (again), Belgium, Norway etc starting the game. That was speculation on my part and others on here aaaaages ago about it being 6 teams... but since having spoken to a few others it seems that it will be an 8 team comp... the 8th coming up from the Euro shield or Holland coming in again.... I would br disapointed in a 6 team euro cup. I hope it does go to 8 teams, I would be very happy. 2 groups of 4 I imagine. I never thought I would see Germany or Italy playing the likes of France, Wales, Ireland and Scotland so soon. It may be a cricket score though. You would imagine if Italy made it to a comp of this calibre they would start looking to some Aussies and poms with Italian names, not necessarily a bad thing IMO, as i mentioned in the Italy thread they could be fast-tracked into a second tier side if they desired. Not to get too excited but the exposure from playing a country like France or Wales could attract new found interest in RL, maybe it could be the start of something big like a French Elite or Championship team. Maybe I'm just getting way too ahead of myself. Bottom line is I think either Germany or Italy making the step up the the 2nd tier level can only be a good thing. |
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Post by sportsmad on May 22, 2009 20:21:58 GMT 10
i assume every pacific nations match will be at lloyd robinson oval in port moresby? does PNG have any ohter stadiums?
im glad someone agrees with me about wales ahving to potential to be 5th best by next world cup jim.
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Post by Druzik on May 22, 2009 20:40:22 GMT 10
i assume every pacific nations match will be at lloyd robinson oval in port moresby? does PNG have any ohter stadiums? I think the final and 3/4 will... but the other matches I dont see why they cant take them to some of the other places. I think Gooroka has a 7,000 stadium and I know that Adriam Lam was wanting to take Kumul games to other places in the country. Well, who knows... I think there will be competition for the 5th spot. But see things like this can be easily settles by a better structures international set up... with regional championships leading into a 6 and 4 nations tournamsnts and then onto the world cup. |
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Post by sportsmad on May 23, 2009 10:54:43 GMT 10
will be good if gooroka gets a game. a great decision to hold the tournament in PNG in my opinion.
heres my opinion on the top 10 nationas come 2013 world cup:
1.Australia
2.New Zealand
3. England
4. France
5. Wales
6. Papua New Guinia
7. Fiji
8. Tonga
9. USA
10. Lebanon
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