World Cup Challenges
Wednesday 12 November 2008
We are at the semi-final stages of the Rugby League World Cup and despite no-one having yet won the tournament, things appear to have polarised. On the one hand, the English team has been completely written off after failing to live up to expectations and producing performances which don't even match our other recent poor efforts down-under. On the other hand, Australia have already been given the trophy by most experts and fans. This has left many asking why bother to play the tournament at all?
There are though several problems with this state of affairs as I write.
First, it adds fuel to the anti-Rugby League mob in the mainstream media. In writing-off England's chances before a tackle has been made in the semis, we are doing their job for them. Those who aren't necessarily fans of League, but might have tuned in for a World Cup semi-final will now probably not bother. This will damage the growth of our game.
Second, this is a sport and anyone who knows sport knows that great things can happen when push comes to shove- or perhaps when push comes to three man tackle forcing an opponent over the dead-ball line.
Third, this group of English players did not suddenly become bad players. They have a proven track-record of winning in a tough competition and against adversity. In the past two seasons Leeds have twice won the Superleague Grand Final as outright underdogs - the first of those victories under current England coach Tony Smith. In this of all sports, teams go through difficult periods where even stringing passes together seems like hard work. These English players can produce the goods- if only they could get themselves together as a team.
Of course by Saturday it may be too late. By then they may have poured more cold water on the hopes of English Rugby League fans for another generation and dumped a number of eggs on this observer's face; but let us at least give them until then before we decide! With a morning start on Saturday, whatever the score there will be egg near my face at some point during the game (hopefully to be accompanied by bacon and black pudding!).
There are though several problems with this state of affairs as I write.
First, it adds fuel to the anti-Rugby League mob in the mainstream media. In writing-off England's chances before a tackle has been made in the semis, we are doing their job for them. Those who aren't necessarily fans of League, but might have tuned in for a World Cup semi-final will now probably not bother. This will damage the growth of our game.
Second, this is a sport and anyone who knows sport knows that great things can happen when push comes to shove- or perhaps when push comes to three man tackle forcing an opponent over the dead-ball line.
Third, this group of English players did not suddenly become bad players. They have a proven track-record of winning in a tough competition and against adversity. In the past two seasons Leeds have twice won the Superleague Grand Final as outright underdogs - the first of those victories under current England coach Tony Smith. In this of all sports, teams go through difficult periods where even stringing passes together seems like hard work. These English players can produce the goods- if only they could get themselves together as a team.
Of course by Saturday it may be too late. By then they may have poured more cold water on the hopes of English Rugby League fans for another generation and dumped a number of eggs on this observer's face; but let us at least give them until then before we decide! With a morning start on Saturday, whatever the score there will be egg near my face at some point during the game (hopefully to be accompanied by bacon and black pudding!).
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