Rugby League World Cup 2008
Editorial
2 November, 7.55pm
Telstra Dome, Melbourne
Tickets from Ticketmaster
Here they come from all angles. Liniment dripping from the thunderous thighs, beads of sweat falling from the collective foreheads of the brutes from around the world, as they converge in Australia in the hope of being crowned the world champion.
In October and November 2008, the elite of the Rugby League world will congregate down under for the 13th edition of the planet's second-oldest world cup. A remarkable achievement, all thanks to the French for helping pioneer the series.
While the World Cup begins only weeks after the NRL season is finished, it makes no difference to the Aussie battalions' intensity and drive as they enjoy nothing more than smashing the Poms, and locking horns with another of their fiercest enemies across the Tasman Sea.
How will the Australians handle the pace from the debonair, but unforgiving French who, apart from initiating this tournament over 50 years ago, care more about winning battles than the next country? What tactics will these countries brains trusts employ in order to go hard for the month long tournament that is built on steadying the nerves and riding the wave of attrition?
The Kangaroos have dominated the RLWC over the years with unyielding and dogged fight night qualities that have brought many nations to their knees. The never-say-die ethos is an area which, when married with the incredible skill and innate decision making process of the Aussie sides over the journey, has made them the nation most likely to win the big one when it counts.
Champions from the past era such as Wally Lewis, Allan Langer, Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler all knew what was needed to land the knockout punches in the heat of battle - will this current crop of 2008 warriors know what to do when the bell tolls?
Nick Argyriou, Citysearch
User Feedback
DAVE
October 20, 2008
HEY THIS WORLDCUP IS ONESIDED U KNOW WHO ARE GOING TO MAKE THE FINALES ITS AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND/ AND ENGLAND... THEY SHOULD LET THE BOYS FOR TONGA PLAY...THEN AGAIN AUSTRALIA MIGHT LOOSE THERE CUP....WOULD THAT BE A SHAME.. WHAT ARE U GUYS SCARED OFF
Arua
October 23, 2008
I think the draw is really unfair. This is because it is made in a way that Pool A will contribute 3 teams to the final 4 while the other two pools will fight for the 4th place in the semi. I thinks it is made to ensure the top 3 league nations in the world advance to the finals. You think the PNG Kumuls will drop out; no way. There'll upsets and surely one of these top 3 will fall. Mark my word. Cheers, AG... GO KUMULS GO
Richie
October 24, 2008
Pacific island players shoould be allowed to play for their own country. The world body governing League should help pacific nations and give them financial incentives. Countries like Australia and NZ should give chance to their own home grown players and allow Pacific island born players to play for their home team.
ROBERT DAUGL
October 24, 2008
SHAME-ON U ORGANISERS FOR ALLOWING 3 TEAMS IN POOL A TO GO THRU THE FINALS BY PUTTING PNG AGAINST THEM THAT HAS NO CHANCE AT ALL. AUSTRALIA, ENGLAND AND NEW ZEALAND CAN GET WHAT THEY WANT BUT I HOPE PNG KUMULS GIVES THEM A GOOD RUN FOR THEIR MONEY. GO PNG KUMULS! WE ARE ALL BEHIND U. ALLI AM
Linda Quedley
October 25, 2008
I have now been on the Net for over 1 hour trying to find out what time we will see the televised coverage of the opening game of the world cup. Kick off is at 7pm and it would appear that we will not see the game until 9.30pm, what is the story this is ridiculous. Can someone please let me know the correct channel and coverage time. Thank you
Siaaga Tuuga
October 25, 2008
all teh best for the "TOA SAMOA"...manuia le alo faiva atu i taaloga...
Aaron
October 25, 2008
we already know who is going to win so hand the cup over to them before the 1st whistle blows...hahahahahahaha
Aerenga
October 26, 2008
France has a pretty good win win world cup this year Boii, So hold on to all your Jock strap
Erica
October 27, 2008
PNG got riped off.....They should have won that game, that ref was a shocker.
Shane
October 27, 2008
My son and I enjoy watching every game, but unfortunately with the timing of some of the games, we are not able to watch. Not good enough in my opinion. Especially since we are in Australia. I hope that when it comes to finals time, they will be broadcast at a reasonable hour. Not 8.30 pm on a Sunday night when my 7 year old has school the next day!!! Get with it!
David Pouru
October 27, 2008
Shane Hayne's performamce between the Lions & the Kumuls was totally ridiculous amd I'm sure we'd never hear the last o f it if the Australians were on the receiving end. I hope this Rugby league world cup advertises apart from the code unbiased commentary, all games viewing and more importantly refereeing. After all the whole world is watching. You will remember the Kumuls of 2008 David Pouru Proud Papua New Guinean
Yakwan Lapet
October 28, 2008
i just like the refree for the game between PNG Kumuls and the LIONs.. he needs a better look making decisions.. GO KUMULS.
CHRIS MONTAI
October 29, 2008
I would like to wish all the best to kumuls in their campaign againts the kiwis ,kumuls you are still the best you can do it. go! the kumuls
chris S montai
October 30, 2008
all da best to kumuls.yupla tu man hia.you can beat the kiwis they are human like you. cmontai - vanimo Don Bosco sec sch
Roger
November 01, 2008
After last Saturay's poor calls from shane. I should think he should not think about visitng PNG for his own safty
MICHAEL KOMBKUN
November 01, 2008
Kumuls you still da best,doesn't matter Kumuls lost the game but Good football
gail
November 03, 2008
How many clubs can boast that they have three of their junior players playing in the world cup. SOUTHPORT TIGERS Greg Eastwood for NZ Sam Moa for Tonga and Rhangi Chase in Maori invitational team. Go Southport Tigers Qld
Magele Uso
November 03, 2008
'Toa Samoa' will set-up the knock-out blow for the 'Kiwi's' to put the 'Kangaroos' to rest in the Finale!!2008...yeah babee!
netava labalaba
November 03, 2008
pacific island nations should behave moreoutsidecompetion withaustralia and nz to improve theirperformance
Toby Ziles
November 09, 2008
Shayne Hayne stoled the game away from the PNG Kumuls.How did he award a forward pass try to England and disallow a non forward pass try to PNG Kumuls. Although all this we are still the best..Go the Kumuls. A word to the other countries Australian referees will always give games away to NZ and Australia, therefore do play a clear game and do not make silly mistakes like penalties, the Aussie refs can always change their minds. To Shayne Hayne you are a biased refree.
Tero Tindiapa
November 10, 2008
I thik the world cup does not feel like one, Its Australian Dominated sport, there is no competion to the whole World Cup Series. Sad to See small island nations playing their heart out. But in the end its all Australia. Rugby Union is a Competition.
dj
November 13, 2008
congratulations to the fiji team for progressing this far,lets hope it opens the doors of oppptunity to fiji based players ,and the management do the right thing to the players and not putting themselves first
MARY PALIN
November 15, 2008
WE HAVE BEEN TO THREE WORLD CUP GAMES. ENGV AUST ENG V NEW ZEALAND, FIGI V SCOTLAND. I MUST SAY THE SCOTTISH GAME WAS THE BEST OF THE THREE . HOW DISAPOINTING THAT ENG COULD NOT PUT ON A GAME FOR ALL IT,S FANS, WHO TRAVELLED TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD. AND DID,NT EVEN GET A MAYBE. WHY WAS ,NT THE GAMES SHOWN LIVE ON TV, CERTAINLY NOT A WORLD CUP EVENT, AS THIS CLEARLY SHOWS. HOPE WE LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO SEE THE NEXT ONE. THANKS MARY PALIN AUSTRALIA
tom
November 16, 2008
I love ruby league world cup you rule Australian team go billy Slater and Greg Inglis and Darron locker you rule Australia comeon Aussie comeon comon comeon Aussie comeon You people rule rock the ruby league world cup You guys rule the house over where ever you are you are going to thash FIGI tonight!!!
taj
November 22, 2008
what a joke how much did we pay the ref and the so called aussie commenatators what a discrace to australian rugby league
KILLA
November 24, 2008
NICE EFFORT KIWI'S.NOW YOU HAVE BOTHWOMENS AND MENS RLWC TROPHIES.HUGE ACHIEVEMENT.COMMISERATIONS TO THE KANGAROOS.WE TOOK 3 YEARS TO BEAT YOU,AND THIS IS OUR 1ST WORLD CUP...A GOOD RESULT FOR RUGBY LEAGUE.
Your Feedback
29 User reviews (add yours)