The Aussies' attitude to the WCC is always an issue. There's a degree of defensiveness in it, I suspect. It's like they always get their excuses in early in case they lose. But it hardly helps if the English clubs and their fans take the same approach.
In an age when we're trying to promote the game internationally, the WCC should be a great fixture. Despite the Aussies always claiming they didn't take it seriously, there have been more great games than duds when that fixture has been played.
But much as I revile the attitude that "our domestic season is more important", there's no point in it if neither are going to try very hard.
I'm proud that Wigan at least have always done their best to make this fixture a big event.
And on that subject, no team can claim that it's the best in a generation unless it has tested itself against the other contender for that title. In 1994, that invincible Wigan team proved beyond question that it was THE BEST by beating the all-conquering Brisbane in their own backyard, in front of 50,000 people. I'm surprised, frankly, that Saints would happily miss this opportunity to put themselves on the same 'legends' shelf.
Cruncher wrote:The Aussies' attitude to the WCC is always an issue. There's a degree of defensiveness in it, I suspect. It's like they always get their excuses in early in case they lose. But it hardly helps if the English clubs and their fans take the same approach.
In an age when we're trying to promote the game internationally, the WCC should be a great fixture. Despite the Aussies always claiming they didn't take it seriously, there have been more great games than duds when that fixture has been played.
But much as I revile the attitude that "our domestic season is more important", there's no point in it if neither are going to try very hard.
I'm proud that Wigan at least have always done their best to make this fixture a big event.
And on that subject, no team can claim that it's the best in a generation unless it has tested itself against the other contender for that title. In 1994, that invincible Wigan team proved beyond question that it was THE BEST by beating the all-conquering Brisbane in their own backyard, in front of 50,000 people. I'm surprised, frankly, that Saints would happily miss this opportunity to put themselves on the same 'legends' shelf.
Not sure if you are talking in general overall but I don't understand what you mean by the part in bold. From a Saints point of view we have always taken it seriously too. Going back to 2007 we beat Brisbane and then 2015 we were hammered by a great Rabbitohs side (admittedly the 2015 Saints side was a poor one). In 2020 we gave a great performance against the Roosters and were narrowly beaten and then we were unable to play for 2 years due to Covid
I think the fact we are going to Australia signals our intent. The fact we are playing a friendly over there the week before means we won't have jet lag as an excuse as it seems we will be out there for two and a half weeks at least.
I'm responding to the thread posted by the OP, which suggests quite a few Saints fans don't want it to happen. Apologies, I should have articulated it better.
Cruncher wrote:The Aussies' attitude to the WCC is always an issue. There's a degree of defensiveness in it, I suspect. It's like they always get their excuses in early in case they lose. But it hardly helps if the English clubs and their fans take the same approach.
In an age when we're trying to promote the game internationally, the WCC should be a great fixture. Despite the Aussies always claiming they didn't take it seriously, there have been more great games than duds when that fixture has been played.
But much as I revile the attitude that "our domestic season is more important", there's no point in it if neither are going to try very hard.
I'm proud that Wigan at least have always done their best to make this fixture a big event.
And on that subject, no team can claim that it's the best in a generation unless it has tested itself against the other contender for that title. In 1994, that invincible Wigan team proved beyond question that it was THE BEST by beating the all-conquering Brisbane in their own backyard, in front of 50,000 people. I'm surprised, frankly, that Saints would happily miss this opportunity to put themselves on the same 'legends' shelf.
Unfortunately for Saints though, Penrith have already made their intentions public and there is no chance this is the game what will put this St Helens team into the legendary bracket. You could argue they *ugh* already are after winning 4 Super League titles on the bounce. The advertising posters are giving me a chuckle, no chance the players featured on them for Penrith will play in the game.
I do feel sorry for Saints, i really hope they aren't out of pocket for this trip or they have convinced Penrith to play something that at least resembles their strongest team otherwise it is a wasted trip really. Hopefully Illawarra put out out a full strength team and that game is telivised so there is a decent game comes out of the trip with a bit of respect shown to the Super League.
Joined: Sep 26 2002 Posts: 11377 Location: Much too far South
BoredWiganer wrote:Unfortunately for Saints though, Penrith have already made their intentions public and there is no chance this is the game what will put this St Helens team into the legendary bracket. You could argue they *ugh* already are after winning 4 Super League titles on the bounce. The advertising posters are giving me a chuckle, no chance the players featured on them for Penrith will play in the game.
I do feel sorry for Saints, i really hope they aren't out of pocket for this trip or they have convinced Penrith to play something that at least resembles their strongest team otherwise it is a wasted trip really. Hopefully Illawarra put out out a full strength team and that game is telivised so there is a decent game comes out of the trip with a bit of respect shown to the Super League.
If you believe the initial guff from Penrith about treating this as an acedmy game I suspect you may be being a little gullible to the usual "it's only a friendly" tactics adopted by the Aussies. Then they always rip in.
It's just face saving in case they find themselves challenged or, god forbid, lose.
Joined: Jan 20 2013 Posts: 4470 Location: Watching Rugby League
FearTheVee wrote:If you believe the initial guff from Penrith about treating this as an acedmy game I suspect you may be being a little gullible to the usual "it's only a friendly" tactics adopted by the Aussies. Then they always rip in.
It's just face saving in case they find themselves challenged or, god forbid, lose.
They're definitely not inviting you over to let you beat them on their own patch.
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