The only certainty is that Thierry Alibert will not referee this Saturday's final.
I thought he was totally incompetent when we played the Kiwi's especially when Fox was taken out 3ft in the air and he gave a knock on - AGAINST Fox!!!

Seems the convicts are worried; they want Shayne Hayne for the job which would mean trouble for England, whilst we want Ganson again who gave a lot of decisions to the Aussies when we last played them and let them spoil play continuously when they were out on their feet in the second half.
Where was the "clean" ruck areas then Mr Sheens?

Sensible choice would be Leon Williamson who the convicts don't feel is up to the job.
I think they are having a laugh - he was so biased against the French when they played Australia, but overall controlled the game well.

The smart money is on us giving way to Sheens (again) and making a laughing stock of ourselves when we get screwed by Hayne who is not used to our style of play and will not allow them to lose IMO.

It doesn't matter who refs if the Aussies play like they did in the first half two weeks ago.

i think you'll find it was our fault the aussies got so far in front during that first half...the aussies did'nt play blindingly excellent RL...they did the basics and kept hitting the same wide open gap...we sorted that problem and they did'nt get through again..and did'nt even look like they would..

infact we've only conceded 6 2nd half points in teh whole tournament...

we just need to get the first half right like we did against the world champion kiwis.....and we'll be in with a shout..

The Aussies had completely switched after half time the game was won - you need to take another look at the DVd the second plays in the lead up to the tries were awesome

i've watched it 5 or 6 times...it was poor defence that let them in not excellent attack..

Strange that; as this wasn't what they actually said about the game.
They said they were out on their feet and there was nothing they could do to stop England in the second half etc
Perhaps you are right and its all an act.

As if any Australian side would switch off!! As if any Australian side wouldn't want to demoralise and punish England in their own back yard, wake up man!

Their attack in places was exellent, the only one that was a 100% poor play on our part was the Burgess knock on - Thurston to Inglis try. Your right in saying we sorted much out in the second half.

i love how they keep saying they switched off



had burgess caught that chip...(and one i forget) was it ben westwood that got held up over the goal line?...there you go thats 26-26 all


they got monstered in that 2nd half

There goes our inferiority complx again. We may as well not turn out on Saturday

.

IMO, this is the best chance we've had in years to really put one over the Aussies but with your sense of doom, why bother.

That's who it is.

And the Aussies have managed to get a spy in the viedo ref room. It will all come out tomorrow, but it really is pathetic.

Bring back Hollywood Bill Harragon.

I never left

Australia have requested that their choice for the match, Shayne Hayne, act as an observer in the video referee’s box.
Phil Bentham is the video referee, but Australia requested that Hayne acts as an observer to Bentham on Saturday.
Ridiculous.

It is. I mean, if he's observing what can he actually do? Other than put psychological pressure on Betham to "make the correct call" (i.e the one that benefits them).

Completely pathetic. This is why I absolutely loathe the ARL and Geoff Carr in particular. He is a prize plum.

After all the hoo-haa we have read on this forum about the final,EVERYONE Poms & Convicts all know it will be a cricket score to Australia,our boys just love naily poms to the floorboards in games that truly matter.

Australia by at least 30 points....too fast for the "trudgers".

Let's hope it IS a cricket score. BTW - How is Ricky Ponting doing these days?

That's what everyone said about 2004 - the Aussies showed up and the game was over after 20 minutes!!!

I haven't heard/read one quote from a member of the Aussie camp that suggests they were out on their feet?

You see this type of game in SL regularly where a team builds up a massive lead in the first half and relaxes and the second half is more of an even contest

You didn't listen to the post match interviews then? live on TV?
Perhaps you were at the game and thats why you were not aware of these interviews?
i.e. Sheens, Inglis and Lockyer

The Inglis interview is still there: [urlhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8334117.stm[/url

very well said rough spud . sounds like a plan