International RL Blog

It's not been confirmed, but it seems certain that the GB Lions Tour to Australia in 2015 will not take place. They haven't been invited!!! It appears that the Australian players don't want to play because they are guaranteed a winter off every four years. I find this very hard to believe!!! Which Australian players don't want to represent the Kangaroos in an Ashes series against the Lions? The RL Ashes is a competition with a long history which has not been contested since 2003. That series was very close, despite the 3-0 scoreline and the overall scoreline is very close too despite recent Australian dominance. On either side of the world, crowds would flock to see the Burgess brothers, Widdop, Graham, Tomkins etc represent thec Lions There are many thousands of very good RL players in Australia. Why don't they ask for volunteers? The queue would start in Preston Let's hope International Federation Chairman, Nigel Wood has some power and influence an...

Kevin Sinfield is very under rated as both a player and a leader but he is a four time Grand Final winning captain including the recent remarkable, never achieved before, feat of winning from fifth. History will be kind to him He has never really performed at international level but then again he has never really been given the opportunity. Kevin has been picked on numerous occasions but always out of position with other lesser players in charge. Injuries to rivals such as Kieran O'Loughlin could present him and us with an opportunity Now is your chance Kevin, step forward and meet your destiny. The glory will far exceed anything achieved domestically Injuries and absences might mean that NZ and Australia might possibly be weaker but we have said that before. England too have their fair share of injuries too and the absence of Burgess, Lomax, Atkins, Bridge, Crabtree, O'Loughlin, Joel Tomkins, Shenton and especially Grand Final star Burrow, will be a handicap. It sadd...

The SL play-offs are under way and and should be the pinnacle of the UK domestic season. Unfortunately, three out of the four matches played so far have been one-sided non-events in front of relatively poor crowds, with one in particular spoiled by inconsistent refereeing. An obvious contrast can be made with the NRL play-offs which have been wonderful.     Since the SL Grand Final was initiated, only five teams have taken part including the big four of Bradford, Leeds, St Helens and Wigan plus Hull. Three of these teams are still in contention despite the salary cap and licencing regulations which says very little about progress being made. All neutral supporters should cheer for Warrington & Catalans It has recently been announced that Jack Reed of the Brisbane Broncos and Chris Heighrington of West Tigers will play for England in the upcoming Four Nations along with Gareth Widdup of Melbourne Storm. They are good players and I don't blame Steve McNamara ...