If the money for the player in SL rivals that of the NRL, we might begin in see the gulf narrow.
If it’s paid 2nd grade, you’d get a 2nd grade product.

Fair points RD and DSM. Even if we are inferior to the NRL, I still want the game to played in a more positive manner, without all the restrictive practices being used at the play the ball. We'd still lag behind the NRL in player quality, but we'd have a better game to watch.

The one thing I have noticed about the Aussie game is that the quality of the match officials is a lot better than in our league, which helps with the flow & overall speed of the game.

In general, it does seem that they do allow a lot more leeway for the physical stuff and that the odd glancing high tackle isn't always blown up as though the attacker as had his head ripped off - its quite refreshing compared to how we seem to stop the game for the slightest infringement.

I watch the NRL on Sky more than I watch SL, and whilst the refs don't stop the game for everything, the bunker (video ref) do talk to the ref a lot more and you will often see a natural break in the play being accompanied by a "10 in the bin" or "on report" for an earlier incident of foul play, which is the proper way to use that system in my eyes.

And as for the standard of refs being higher, I wholeheartedly agree......interesting to see that the Grand Final ref was Ashley Klein, who was much maligned when he reffed over here.

I'm an old flatulent who started watching the Wire as a kid in the 1950's(I went to school with kevin Ashcroft that's how old I am) We stood in the railway end when there was no cover and we often got drenched in inclement weather. We didn't care, we were loving every minute. About 5 seasons ago I walked out of the HJ and haven't been back since. I was bored witless. I still follow the game on TV but rarely last more than a few minutes, for me the game as it is now has very little entertainment value. We learned how to play the game in the schoolyard playing tick rugby where tackling was a no-no. We had to find ways to beat the opposition, side steps, dummies and sheer speed if you had it.Those methods have long since gone from the game and replaced by sheer brutal force and incessant kicking for position in order to crash over the line from short range. It's time for a re-think.When League was formed in Huddersfield in the days when it was called broken time payments the rules of the game were radically changed, two players were dropped from the teams, play the ball introduced and the scrums were contested. In those days players weren't as fit as they are now and the game was more open. Now they spent their days in the gym pumping iron and even halfbacks and wingers have arms like Popeye. If I had my way(which I won't) there would be a further two players removed from teams, scrums abolished, infringements to be replaced by turning over the ball. Only two players on the bench to be used only because of injury. It would be more of a test of fitness and stamina than the present day game, who knows, the old skills could make a comeback. An old codger can have his dreams can't he ?

It’s the Dom Young show for England tonight. One o& the few NRL based England players that have really stood out above their SL based counterparts.

Williams has made a couple of nice contributions too. Some nice off the cuff stuff, which shows what he can do behind a dominant pack. I hope the club go all out to help Vaughan and Maguire’s families adjust to life in the Cheshire countryside, because the last thing we want is to lose those two due to unsettled wives etc. They’ll be our linchpins on and off the field next year I feel.

Some interesting points there and quite a few I agree with.
It's like many sports where professionalism has resulted in pluses and minuses - but a sanitization of the action in many aspects. We won't get another WW3 that's for sure.
Off the cuff stuff is often frowned on by most coaches but there's a lot to be said for it, and a lot of that comes down to playing what you see in front of you.
Langer, John Woods, Davies and Briers spring to mind.

Not a TV game, but Josh Thewlis has scored 4 tries for England knights today.

Who were we playing, and was Thewlis full-back or wing?

EDIT: It's Scotland, full match here:

[urlhttps://www.thesportsman.com/articles/watch-live-scotland-v-england-knights-in-rugby-league-world-cup-warm-up[/url

So, next year's 1-7? :

1. Dufty
2. Thewlis
3. Mata'utia / Wrench (when fit)
4. Mata'utia / Wardle (if signed)
5. Ashton
6. Ratchford / AN Other
7. Williams

1 to 5 has so much pace if it's not Matautia in either of the centre positions.

Vs. Scotland (Full Match On YouTube)
Thewlis got player of match and scored 4 tries on wing. Relatively easy tries for him.
Nicholson worked really hard at loose forward. Good stint in middle of field.
Walker ... some nice touches (again as played well v France) including a 20/40.
Longstaff played left second row.

Longstaff played left centre, for England Knights today, and at this stage of his career, maybe Wire should consider playing him there.

Left Centre
That makes sense. Didn't see the team announced and pictures not that clear ... thought he was wide out all the time.

Well taken score by Dom Young.

England have been excellent so far.

They have. Pity about the intercept, as Samoa haven't threatened with ball in hand.

Let's sign that Williams lad better than the half backs we've got.

Next up Salford v Leigh

That’s an interesting Friday night game for a season opener. Having seen Leigh in pre-season, I think they’ll surprise a few this year. May get let down by discipline, once an opposition team gets some quick play the balls in, but they’ve certainly got some quality players in there.

And we know Salford can put on a show too. Looking forward to it.

Salford ever so slight favourites for this one.

Just changed the channel to watch Leigh v Salford but find I am watching Murph and the magic tones.

Decent crowd at Leigh

Salford are great to watch.
It’s structured yes, but unlike Wigan, really great to watch because of the offloads.
Leigh look exactly like Wire last season.
Leigh and Wakey definitely fighting out the drop.

Wakefield didn’t seem to struggle score points against Cats, whereas Leigh didn’t quite have the penetration through the middle. They’ll improve, and they don’t look a complete disaster. Not like Leeds did last night.

We can't really judge Leeds on the one game, nor us for that matter. Leeds may have had an off night, but we were good - much better defensively than last year, but we won't be able to put last night into context until more rounds are completed.