NRL 2023 + Internationals

heaps of movement in North Queensland

The Cowboys have traditionally used 3 feeder teams to spread their talent, in Cairns, Townsville and Mackay. Last year they decided they wanted more direct control, and just used the Townsville Blackhawks as their reserve grade side. This proved too much disruption, and the Blackhawks had a poor year.
So they went nuclear and have declared their allegiance is now to the Rabbitohs. Meaning the Cowboys now do not have a Q-Cup presence in Townsville. Presumably they will come crawling back to the Pride and Cutters asking them to take back their players. Bizarre situation all round

And now it is being widely reported that the next NRL team will be "PNG". Now, will that be based in PNG full time? Or will they be based here in Cairns? How can you have 2 NRL teams up here? We don't even have a stadium worth the name. If it's based in PNG, exactly how are they going to attract players who aren't already from there? I haven't seen any answers for any of that.

Wests Jnr takes things literally when they get asked to show a little more killer attitude. Masei Tavui 'charged with the murder of underworld figure Dejan “Danny the Serb” Radulvoic in Sydney’s inner west'.

Kiwi A playing really well in this second half after Tonga A were dominant in the first.

Our spine starting to get on top

Rocco Berry with a great chase and try saver.

Some earlier posts about international league matches can be found here: https://www.forum.thesilverfern.com/topic/5288/international-league-matches/49

lol International League alive and well.

Losing 50-0 to NZ. Who do Samoa think they are? The Wallabies?!!

@NTA said in NRL 2023 + Internationals:

lol International League alive and well.

Losing 50-0 to NZ. Who do Samoa think they are? The Wallabies?!!

I don't follow league too much, but how many of Samoa are kiwi born like their union brethren?

@Machpants said in NRL 2023 + Internationals:

@NTA said in NRL 2023 + Internationals:

lol International League alive and well.

Losing 50-0 to NZ. Who do Samoa think they are? The Wallabies?!!

I don't follow league too much, but how many of Samoa are kiwi born like their union brethren?

I don't either, so @mariner4life is about to come in here and tell me to fuck off

But I suspect a few of the Samoan blokes are Aussie-based, if not -born.

@NTA princely true. And we don't have a with South American League website with a chip on it's shoulder to give us all the meticulous details

International league is a poach-a-thon. It used to be easy, if you were brown you played for the kiwis, no matter the link.

Then the islands became a viable option, so heritage got really blurred.
Kiwis. Samoans. Tongans. Unless they are warriors juniors they are all Australian developed.

And we can't whinge. We've had a lot of "my dad was from NZ" over the years

@mariner4life said in NRL 2023 + Internationals:

International league is a poach-a-thon.

There is a guy from a Subbies club here in Sydney. Anglo surname, white as fuck.

Playing an "international" for Chile v Malta tomorrow.

I reckon the Malta team would have far more Maltese in it - Borg, Camilleri, Farrugia, Zammit, Galea - they're fucking everywhere!

I know nothing about League, but when I saw this pic, I knew there would be a Hopoate involved

Leo Thompson leading the Kiwis' haka.

Great atmosphere here at AAMi. Not quite Mt Smart, but plenty of Kiwis

The Mexican stare off.

@Stargazer said in NRL 2023 + Internationals:

Leo Thompson leading the Kiwis' haka.

I find it interesting that the newbie is leading the haka. Would be like if Tamaiti Williams led it in his first text.

Kiwi’s on their heels in defence.

Poor exit (hopefully that’s the last time I write that in the next 12 hours)

We are playing poorly. Look a bit disorganised in attack. Aussie ball runners are hitting the line with some venom

Sweet move by Jerome.

In rugby that would be a YC too I reckon. Blatant after the kick take down. Poor organisation by the Aussies in defence there.

The knock on rule in league changes week to week. A straight drop down like that was a knock on last week.

Dylan Edwards is a gun player. For a winger he gets so involved in the play. Not the biggest guy either.

Haha just after I write that he drops the ball right down where I’m sitting

The stitch up is on.

The Roos defence has been awesome. Getting lots of numbers in and slowing our play of the balls.

There is an enormous gap in ability between the two teams.
This looks like tests from the 90s where we would start full fo aggression and bluster and then get pumped

What a catch and try!

Mulitalo has some bunnies. Great try

Wayne Bennett has done wonders for Isaako

@mariner4life said in NRL 2023 + Internationals:

There is an enormous gap in ability between the two teams.
This looks like tests from the 90s where we would start full fo aggression and bluster and then get pumped

A key difference from those dark days is that at least our forwards are fit these days.

It’s the work of the spine where Aussies are all over us. Getting Joey more involved will help us.

The injection of Grant has put us on the back foot

After everything, we're only 6 down...

If Aus picked a decent fullback they would go a lot better

Imagine Ponga or Walsh out there?

Line speed from the Aussies is excellent.

That was awesome from Hammer

Aussies doing a brilliant illegal job at lying on our side and just making it hard for us to get quick play of the balls

They really push the 10m as well.

Watching Munster live, he’s even more of a whinging idiot than when watching the TV