Rugby League Four Nations

[Magpiespower]

Bit of a stir about Tuqiri's selection for the first match against PNG.

Especially since he was only rushed into the squad a few days ago when Jarry Hayne pulled out with injury.

Dragons star Darius Boyd misses out. Sheens says it's because he wants a specialist winger. Unusual for an incumbent Kangaroo to be axed, especially one who had such a stellar season.

Some say it's a PR stunt to bring in the Islander crowds (Tuquiri is Fijian.)

Probably more to do with the fact Kangaroos coach Sheens is also his club coach at Wests Tigers.

Daily Teletrash has already started calls for a neutral Australian coach.

Fair call...

[MagicKiwi]

This match has stirred a lot of interest here. They love their League.

[cripple]

the biggest issue with this game so far has been israel folau not being allowed to be a water boy in the curtain raiser between samoa and tonga. just a glorified curtain raiser against PNG and Boyd will definately play against england and the Kiwis

[Phantom Gossiper]

the biggest issue with this game so far has been israel folau not being allowed to be a water boy in the curtain raiser between samoa and tonga. just a glorified curtain raiser against PNG and Boyd will definately play against england and the Kiwis

Would imagine your right, its tough to see Boyd missing out against the stronger sides, an amazing year, Clive Churchill medalist and was a very accomplished winger at Brisbane before his move, i guess it comes down to balance though and at the end of the day Australia is so rich in talent that they could pull any bloke into the side and have little to no dramas.

[Phantom Gossiper]

NZ 24 d ENG 10 last night, Benji Marshall putting on a clinic, but unfortunately a broken arm to big winger Manu Vatuvei early on hurts the kiwis.

Aussies play PNG tonight, would expect the aussies to win by prob around the 50pt mark, but anticipate a phyiscal struggle early before the class of the 'roos shines through.

[Phantom Gossiper]

Aussies punished PNG 42-0 but was very physical. The PNG side sure do hold no regard to their bodies and the way they tackle is both bone crunching and stupid - head 1st and 100 mile an hour, no technique. I can see them rattling sides and would not be suprised if they gave ENG a real run for their money - although cant see them winning games, lack structure and game plan.

[The Dark Knight]

Aussies punished PNG 42-0 but was very physical. The PNG side sure do hold no regard to their bodies and the way they tackle is both bone crunching and stupid - head 1st and 100 mile an hour, no technique. I can see them rattling sides and would not be suprised if they gave ENG a real run for their money - although cant see them winning games, lack structure and game plan.

Agreed there PG. I watched it on Fox and although they did make a huge amount of silly mistakes in both attack and defence at least they bothered to put their bodies on the line even though at sometimes it was without technique and stupid. They also copped a few bad calls IMO but still battled on regardless of the score.

A part of the game where I did feel for PNG, was when Cam Smith kicked on the second tackle for a 40-20, PNG's fullback chased it down, didn't touch it and waited for it to roll out, assuming it wasn't a 40-20 kick.

But instead of rolling out, it rolled towards Australias try line. Cooper Cronk, attempting to chase the ball down after the kick, sprinted past the fullback, got the ball then scored one of the luckiest try you'll ever see. Even the commentators felt for PNG on that one.

[Phantom Gossiper]

Gareth Widdop playing fullback for England, i had the pleasure of refereeing this kid a few years ago when he was playing u/18s for VIC, the kid is a gun! Amazing that ENG are playing him in their squad with such limited exp at the level, just shows how much faith they have in his ability.

[rockstar]

Aussies are in trouble against NZ i reckon, in both their games they have looked very rusty and lacklustre!

[Thiele]

Australia won 34-20

[Brucetiki]

Last nights match has been marred by poor behaviour from the Eden Park crowd

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl ... 5948808056

[bloods08]

Seriously can't believe they are selling bottled beer.

[The Dark Knight]

Seriously can't believe they are selling bottled beer.

It's NZ bloods, they have an unlimited supply of beer bottles everywhere and there alcohol laws are so much more lenient then ours. They sell their alcohol in huge rows in there supermarkets over there.

[Wedgie]

Seriously can't believe they are selling bottled beer.

They were plastic bottles. I'd rather be hit by a plastic bottle than a can.

[Phantom Gossiper]

NZ d AUS in the final 16-12

[cripple]

Huge forward pass in the match winning play for the kiwi's tonight. That said they took their chance and had a fair slice of luck to win the game. very entertaining match

[Jim05]

Aussies crumble on the big stage once again. No good thrashing sides in meaningless qualifiers and choking in finals. I can take losing to nz in union but we should NEVER lose to them at league.

[FlyingHigh]

Huge forward pass in the match winning play for the kiwi's tonight. That said they took their chance and had a fair slice of luck to win the game. very entertaining match

I too am curious about that ruling. I don't understand every rule in Rugby League, so can someone set us straight?
Was it not called forward because the ref and sideline judges weren't in right position? But thought that's what the video ref was for.
Or was it not called forward because Darren Lockyer went for the ball and got his hands to it and so play-on? If that's the case, then why did he go fot it when it would have been so obviously forward.
Or was it something else?

[Phantom Gossiper]

I too am curious about that ruling. I don't understand every rule in Rugby League, so can someone set us straight?
Was it not called forward because the ref and sideline judges weren't in right position? But thought that's what the video ref was for.
Or was it not called forward because Darren Lockyer went for the ball and got his hands to it and so play-on? If that's the case, then why did he go fot it when it would have been so obviously forward.
Or was it something else?

without having actually seen the pass in question i can only say that if a pass is forward, blame must lie with the touch judge for being out of position.

Im fairly sure though that the video ref does not have the power to rule on forward passes, is only allowed to check groundings, offside and infringements.

Also HAD Lockyer made a play at the pass before being ruled forward and with touch judge out of position, referee would rule play on, tackle count would be restarted at zero and play continue.

Australia lost, and as Jim said we once again crumbled on the big stage, the talent aus has compared to nz we should rarely lose to them! yet we have now lost the world cup, the four nations and the tri series a few years back to them!

[cripple]

It came on the 5th tackle of the set so ref and touchies were caught offside as everyone was when benji (genius) decided to run the ball on tackle 6 instead of kick.

TV ref cannot rule on forward passes due to problems with angles from camera's and not being 100% certain as to where the ball traveled. The only markings on a rugby field are the 10 metre lines to use as reference point and is this instance the pass started and concluded within the same block.

In regards to Lockyer's play at the ball, did not affect the play but he would be kicking himself for not nullifying its danger.

All in all it was a great game and the commentators didn't really kick up a stink about the forward pass nor the kangaroo's players to their credit.