After some post season blogging ennui, time to get stuck into the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. Where in which, Australia pretty much flogs everybody and we hope that something upsets the inevitable.
It is a sad sign for international league that you sorta hope, as an Aussie, that your team does find it a bit of struggle. There is no real satisfaction in being the best in the world through easy victories.
Which brings us to last night’s opening game (though the official opening is tonight). England against Papua New Guinea. The Poms had come to these shores with a reputation that suggested that they would be in a better place to match if with the Aussie and Kiwis compared to past years. But if last night is a guide, they will struggle.
That is not to take anything way from PNG. Coach Adrian Lam had drilled them well and they really gave it to the England. The opening tackles were ferocious as PNG made a statement. They aren’t in the World Cup to make up numbers. And the other teams will have watched PNG and taken the message to heart. Australia and New Zealand can’t afford to take any of the teams lightly. Or the impossible may happen.
The head says that in the end, Australia will dominate. The heart hopes that the other teams stand up and make Australia fight every game.
3 responses so far ↓
wpd // Oct 26, 2008 at 3:46 pm
PNG showed lots of promise. The Poms showed class only in patches.
I suspect that NZ will surprise Australia in tonight’s match.
Ken Parish // Oct 27, 2008 at 2:21 pm
I dunno about barnesy doing Khe Sanh, but Red Gum performing “I was Only Nineteen” would be truly frightening:
And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can’t get to sleep?
And why the Channel Seven chopper chills me to my feet?
And what’s this rash that comes and goes, can you tell me what it means?
God help me, I was only nineteen.
Ken Parish // Oct 27, 2008 at 2:21 pm
oops, wrong post
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