It was great to be there.
I guarantee there wasn't a dry eye in the (east) stand around me when Rob Burrow was introduced.....


Great performance, but the atmosphere was a bit flat even with 43,000 in there.............

Not sure if this is the right thread

Like to wish former Trinity player Greece coach Steve Georgalis

Gigot iis really rubbish

Never got him, had one decent season and that was it.

Keep hearing the term “rocks or diamonds” when it comes to him.

Not seen any diamonds since Catalans won the Cup and then there were only fleeting cameo moments.

Basically made a career off the final when everything he tried worked for him…unlike everything he has tried since.

Got to go down as one of the poorest and most totally unnecessary signings in Trinity’s SL era.

For my own part, my admiration for Nathan Brown and Mitchell Moses has increased. Not for their skills but purely because of their participation.

Both players have had long seasons. Brown a frustrating one, playing in the NSW Cup and being ignored, but his interests are better served in Australia, trying to sort out his future. Moses has had a long season and this tournament will eat into pre-season, for a team that has attracted a lot of criticism this year, Moses too, and his best interests are in resting and getting a good pre-season in, as next year will find the Eels being bagged if they don't do well.

Instead, both have chosen to leave their families and to take part in a tournament they have zero chance of winning, presumably for no financial reward, purely because of the bond they presumably feel for their parents or grandparents' heritage. It shows them in a good light.

I've picked those out because the players of many of the other countries, like Samoa and Tonga, are genuine contenders. Brown and Moses know they are not, but they are still prepared to roll up their sleeves when they might have been best advised to stay at home.

Good way of looking at it. To be honest it’s what all clubs should be looking for but for us players with integrity are vital

PNG have some talent in that team.

Mentioned on the other thread about Laybutt but there are a couple of forwards in that side that I wouldn’t mind in our pack next year

Laybutt’s defence was outstanding, really put it about.

It’s a strange this is the World Cup. Fifita looked too bulky and his main contribution was to lose the ball after 50 minutes of anticipation.

There were certainly some forwards with punch in that game for both teams.

To ga’s 12 was excellent and was busting tackles all night.

That 6 for Tonga was pretty good too.

I think PNG were robbed there. Good game though. Enjoyed it.

I wonder if Cheater would take Hood back and give us Ipape

Think your right about Fifita. World at his feet when he burst through at Brisbane. Had the big money move to Gold Coast and he’s been a bit laboured ever since. Still quite young in RL terms so hopefully will come again. Forward arm wrestle was great to watch though

Like the Andrew Voss and James Graham combo in the commentary box as well. Refreshing

I’m with you there PT, that disallowed try by Video ref just after half time was a poor call, and that last Tonga try I thought in the build up, there was a knock on and a Tonga player picks the ball up in an offside position to score the try. Just my opinion of course.

interesting call

rebounding from the bottom of the corner flag is not the intention of the law I think... I think if the ball carrying arm hits the post it should be called out of play.

But that isn't the rule.

I disagree. The corner flag rule being binned has led to some fantastic tries over the years. It was a more unusual effect last night but Tom Johnstone wouldn't have been half as effective if the corner flag rule was still there.

I think it was a try but it went up as no try. Was it so obvious that it could be overruled? Probably. I can understand why Thaler felt there was a possibility some of the ball was on the line, so not able to overturn the no try, but I'm not sure anyone would have complained had he done so.

Great game though. Don't think Tonga looked great though. They are going to have to improve to win it, because the winner of the Tonga-v-Samoa quarter final will be the team that get its act together first.

You misinterpret me… I like the rule… but when the ball carrying arm or ball hits the corner flag before grounding … I think no it should be called out

Fifita is a once in a generation back row forward but to me he is been poorly advised and has a poor attitude.

Took the big money move and settled rather than working hard at a club with genuine ambitions.

He’s still 22 so plenty of time to turn it around but his next move could be career defining.

Lots of buzz about Daniel Atkinson too for Italy a half playing in the centre. Ex Melbourne, played 1 game for them last year, now without an NRL club still only 22 and starting in reverse grade.

I didn’t see the Italy game but it sounds like he was outstanding.

He was but he wasn't tested much either, Scotland were dissapointing.

Hope not, we only win when he plays and he's a top try scorer.

Ah, gotcha.

It's a fair point. I suppose the risk is that many potentially great tries could be ruled out by an incidental "brushing". Last nights was unusual as the flag sort of helped, but it is rare.

Hard not to feel for Scotland here. Will be 100 by the end.

They’re just too big and strong. Not really need for any skillful rugby from Australia because even their backs are bigger and stronger than the forwards.

Pure athletes.

The level of conditioning these players must go through.

I know it’s not the same but I do hope there is a huge focus on improving the players as athletes in our pre season. Every time a player hits the line the legs are just pumping.