Well done to Samoa, but let's be honest, England chucked it away. If we couldn't beat Samoa there's no way we would be beating Australia. I hope the miracle happens, but I cannot see it. Australia will put Samoa under huge pressure from the off. England did not deserve to win, too many mistakes I'm afraid.
Sadly, England never really got going today and they got what they deserved on the day as a result. If anything, we were fortunate to get a second crack at it in golden point extra time. It would have been an absolute travesty if we'd won that game. The sad thing is that, after two sensational semi-finals in their different ways, next Saturday at Old Trafford could well be a complete non-event now. My only hope is that we will get more regular international games between now and 2025 in France.
The main problem international rugby league has had is that, for a long time, it's been little more than a bolt-on to the end of the club season. Hopefully, the new Super League structure after next season will give more scope for international matches in general but there's no doubt that some sort of European structure is desperately needed based on what we've seen in this tournament.
Anyone on here keeping tabs on the NRL? Kevvie Walters coaching might be trying to hold the Broncos back but the team is ridiculously stacked, Reece Walsh is arguably the form full back in the comp. Warriors doing well is great for the competition too, as is the Dolphins still in contention for the top 8 in their inaugural season.
From a Gtr Manchester point of view certainly. I don't watch rugby personally so wouldn'y have watched the final no matter who is in it.
Possibly, but there's two games, the Women's Challenge Cup Final will kick-off at 12PM, with the Men's Challenge Cup Final following at 3PM, and with tickets starting at £30 for adults and £15 for kids I reckon there'll be a fair few there. There's also a 3rd game kicking off after the Men's, but to be honest I don't know what that's all about.
I don't know what crowds both teams get but sure the local area will be keen to support both sides as neither have got to the final much before. As Stret says unlike the football final all fans of rugby league are encouraged to go too at decent price as well. It's a cup final - like in football you'll get more coming out of the woodwork and going even if they don't go to the league games. Of course no doubt there will be a train strike that weekend! Nice to see two different teams getting into the final.
Hull KR have a decent fanbase don't they? Not as big as Hull FC but think they can hold their own. Got a bit of history too. Don't think Leigh have won much over the years so it's a great opportunity for them.
58,213 The Challenge Cup Final attendance has been revealed and it is a little disappointing given that over 60,000 Hull KR and Leigh Leopards fans were expected at the final and even up to 65,000. This would have recorded the best attendance since the 2019 final between Warrington Wolves and St Helens. However, the 60,000 figure wasn’t reached but this is because it was a nightmare for traffic as fans were stuck on the M1 in a stand still which meant that 20,000 fans were not at Wembley for kick-off. This was confirmed by Dave Woods on BBC who described the problems on the M1 as “horrific.” So, a disappointment for those fans and for the game itself but one that can be explained away and understood. In the end the official attendance was 58,213 but it should have been more. https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/chal...ing-attendance-after-horrific-problems-80159/
