Rugby League World Cup

@Rapido said in Rugby League World Cup:

I've never heard of Joey Manu before, not even seen his name in a headline (if i was scrolling down stuff etc).

He was involved in literally figuratively everything in the 3 min mini highlights package in youtube. Looks a good player.

The Aussie league commentators love him. And because he plays for the Roosters he gets even more Sydney centric love.

There was a little noise about him changing to rugby but I think that was smoke and mirrors. He’s a big unit that has a bit of vision and isn’t afraid to make a play. He’s a good kid as well. No hotel lobby or nightclub cubicle or nose candy incidents (yet), so here’s hoping it goes well for a long career

@Rapido said in Rugby League World Cup:

I've never heard of Joey Manu before, not even seen his name in a headline (if i was scrolling down stuff etc).

He was involved in literally figuratively everything in the 3 min mini highlights package in youtube. Looks a good player.

Really? That's nuts. He's a rare NZer that the Aussies actually rate as high as they should.

He's technically playing out of position too - he's usually a centre.

@Nepia said in Rugby League World Cup:

@Rapido said in Rugby League World Cup:

I've never heard of Joey Manu before, not even seen his name in a headline (if i was scrolling down stuff etc).

He was involved in literally figuratively everything in the 3 min mini highlights package in youtube. Looks a good player.

Really? That's nuts. He's a rare NZer that the Aussies actually rate as high as they should.

He's technically playing out of position too - he's usually a centre.

I guess that would have been my next question. If he was a genuine NZ product, or an Aussie with kiwi parentage (which would be more likely to not causally hear the name).

I'm also a little surprised. Probably a sign of the lack of cutover in the fragmented media / broadcasting times we live in now. No equivalent of 1990s Sprtscenter. I can be down a Plunket Shield rabbit hole and know the names (and these days seen plenty of video coverage )of all obscure domestic cricketers, but have never heard of an NRL kiwi star over in Sydney.

@Rapido Manu is from Tokoroa, and does a lot for the local community when back in NZ. He'd go well on the wing for the Chiefs though!

@Bovidae said in Rugby League World Cup:

@Rapido Manu is from Tokoroa, and does a lot for the local community when back in NZ. He'd go well on the wing for the Chiefs though!

Hopefully one day he will represent some obscure nation in union (that he may have heritage for) , like Croatia or something, and add to the incredible talent dispersal that the beautiful Tokoroan attoll has exported to the world.

@Rapido said in Rugby League World Cup:

@Bovidae said in Rugby League World Cup:

@Rapido Manu is from Tokoroa, and does a lot for the local community when back in NZ. He'd go well on the wing for the Chiefs though!

Hopefully one day he will represent some obscure nation in union (that he may have heritage for) , like Croatia or something, and add to the incredible talent dispersal that the beautiful Tokoroan attoll has exported to the world.

He has weirdly represented Australia for an U19 9s league team at the Commonwealth Games. I assume that was an attempt by them to poach him.

He could probably get a run for the Cooks in rugby when he retires from league.

@Rapido said in Rugby League World Cup:

I've never heard of Joey Manu before

what. the fuck?

the best centre in the NRL who also happens to be the most beautiful

and was sorta in a few articles last year when someone with a decent profile caved his beautiful face in

@Rapido This article, for example.

I don’t mind him at fullback, getting his hands on the ball with room to move is great to watch .

Let’s hope Hughes injury isn’t too bad .

Getting that spine of smith , Hughes , brown and manu is key to giving us a chance of beating the Aussie’s

Have we had a better spine ?

@Nepia said in Rugby League World Cup:

@Rapido said in Rugby League World Cup:

@Bovidae said in Rugby League World Cup:

@Rapido Manu is from Tokoroa, and does a lot for the local community when back in NZ. He'd go well on the wing for the Chiefs though!

Hopefully one day he will represent some obscure nation in union (that he may have heritage for) , like Croatia or something, and add to the incredible talent dispersal that the beautiful Tokoroan attoll has exported to the world.

He could probably get a run for the Cooks in rugby when he retires from league.

While that would add to the Tokoroans legacy. It wouldn't add variety. Tommy Hayes has already beaten him to this feat.

@Rapido said in Rugby League World Cup:

I'm also a little surprised. Probably a sign of the lack of cutover in the fragmented media / broadcasting times we live in now. No equivalent of 1990s Sprtscenter. I can be down a Plunket Shield rabbit hole and know the names (and these days seen plenty of video coverage )of all obscure domestic cricketers, but have never heard of an NRL kiwi star over in Sydney.

Yup. This thread is the first time I've heard his name.

I follow 3-4 sports closely and don't seek out news about other sports. The NRL is a black hole to me.

I'll sometimes watch representative RL. Which is why I'm in this thread. I'll probably watch the last couple of matches in this tournament

@mariner4life said in Rugby League World Cup:

@Rapido said in Rugby League World Cup:

I've never heard of Joey Manu before

what. the fuck?

the best centre in the NRL who also happens to be the most beautiful

and was sorta in a few articles last year when someone with a decent profile caved his beautiful face in

If you look at attacking metres from FB in 2022, you could loosely argue best FB as well, with more metres gained than Teddy or Edwards. He dominates all play when he is playing in that role which can work against him and the team, but if your halves are average you just let him dominate. To be fair the more times he plays there, the better he will read the situation.

Personally I think he should have left the Roosters to play FB elsewhere, but alas he will stay under the sombrero

Anyone watching Tonga v PNG?

How the fuck wasn’t that a penalty try and sin bin on the PNG attack?

Yep, watching and agree.
So many neck rolls and head highs you can't help thinking the spotlight should be on league rather than union.
Also the intercepts. PNG with all the hustle and when spreading the ball wide look dangerous down that left flank, but Tonga's muscle and sheer power should see them pull away this half.

PNG have blown one chance and had two denied

Tonga committing fouls on the last pass and the tackle

Reffing / League rules are fucking shit

@MiketheSnow said in Rugby League World Cup:

PNG have blown one chance and had two denied

Tonga committing fouls on the last pass and the tackle

Reffing / League rules are fucking shit

Even the biff after the last try was shit.

Fucking great match

@MiketheSnow said in Rugby League World Cup:

Fucking great match

Amazing last try. 71 passes and 4 bounce-passes.

Good match for the neutrals.

Tonga definitely a Tier 1 team in the eyes of the officials - all the 50/50 calls going their way.

But was a fun match to watch.

PNG a little screwed by the refs.

Sheesh hasn’t Lolohea packed it on and still playing halfback.

was theirs for the taking! unlucky warriors i mean PNG

Deserved hard fought 18-12 win for the Cooks over Wales. Fitness levels and speed of ruck ball told in the last quarter. Tonga look out!

@Jailbreak7 said in Rugby League World Cup:

Deserved hard fought 18-12 win for the Cooks over Wales. Fitness levels and speed of ruck ball told in the last quarter. Tonga look out!

Great defending and heart from Wales, but second best in the second half

Could have nicked it but not to be

Wales captain was in the same class in school as Sam Warburton and Gareth Bale

3 national captains!

@MiketheSnow said in Rugby League World Cup:

Wales captain was in the same class in school as Sam Warburton and Gareth Bale

3 national captains!

That’s quite something. Kear is a decent fullback. Not the biggest player going around, but is pretty fearless.

@Mackerzzzz said in Rugby League World Cup:

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Had only just looked at nrl website now... was expecting a win... but not that!

For some reason my brain has lost the ability to comprehend when games are being played at this RLWC. Last week I got up on Sunday to watch the Kiwis and they were on Monday. Today I flicked on Kayo to see what games were on overnight and the Kiwis had played.

Another training run, this time against Jamaica. Final score 68 - 6.

@Bones said in Rugby League World Cup:

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Crowds have actually been very good. The last world cup only averaged 13,000 per game and that featured games in three countries and blockbuster pool games.

I just haven't engaged much with this tournament because I am not going to get SparkSport just to watch. Plus, the pool games are predictable. In 2017, we lost to Tonga in the pool game.

Think if RL wants to grow its showpiece event, it needs more regular Test matches rather than just NRL and SL.

These 60+ margins aren't much fun and only one pool looks like it'll be competitive.

@NTA said in Rugby League World Cup:

Think if RL wants to grow its showpiece event, it needs more regular Test matches rather than just NRL and SL.

These 60+ margins aren't much fun and only one pool looks like it'll be competitive.

too many countries unable to supply players from a professional league of their own. Rugby is barely an international sport and it's miles in front of League.

The test match game absolutely should increase, but it won't because Australia have all the power. All the players. and all the money. And no way are they supporting anything that takes any attention from Origin and the Premiership.

Aus, NZ, England, PNG, Tonga and Samoa should all be playing each other regularly.

the funny thing is from a competition point of view , its stronger than its ever been ,

When i was a kid there was Aus , England , NZ and sometimes France ,

NZ and England games were a bit competitive , but Australia was so far ahead of the rest it was a no contest each and every time

@kiwiinmelb was that before it was Great Britain?

@NTA said in Rugby League World Cup:

Think if RL wants to grow its showpiece event, it needs more regular Test matches rather than just NRL and SL.

These 60+ margins aren't much fun and only one pool looks like it'll be competitive.

Yeah. I think they've got 2 problems here.

1. The demise of the ARL, 'replacement' by the NRL. An inwards club-focussed organisation rather than the more generalist remit of the ARL. Therefore the self-funding tier 1 tests not happening often enough with the disinterest of Australia.

2. The tier 2 tests. If it isn't self-funding then it relies on funding by the international federation. Which needs profits from these world cups to fund that activity. Chicken and egg. So, we get the once annual pacific tests day in Parramatta , as it funds itself. The rest, is piecemeal.

@Bones said in Rugby League World Cup:

@kiwiinmelb was that before it was Great Britain?

It was Great Britain , my mistake calling them England ,

I was born in the early 60s , my old man was a league fan and I probably went to 90 percent of home tests through the late 60s and 70s as a kid .

Carlaw park , lots of memories of that place , the spiritual home of nz league , can’t believe they sold it instead of renovating.

Really enjoyed Tonga v Wales last night

Big wake up call for Tonga who looked like they were on the training field first half

@MiketheSnow said in Rugby League World Cup:

Really enjoyed Tonga v Wales last night

Big wake up call for Tonga who looked like they were on the training field first half

Yeah, it was a good game actually. Tupou scored the easiest hat trick in the history of the sport.

Good to see a few of the Tonga faithful fans there as well.