Re: England v NZ 2018 : Wed Nov 22, 2017 5:25 pm  

bramleyrhino wrote:

Shame about London missing from the tour. I hope the reason is more to do with ground availability rather than the RFL pandering to the "we don't want to pay the train fare" crew.

Elland Road isn't the best ground but it is ultimately a large ground in the sport's biggest market (and I can walk there from my house ). Didn't do Anfield last year so will reserve judgement.

I’d guess London is missing due to the high cost of renting Wembley or Olympic Stadium.

At least we have some ambition in going for two large venues, and they are spread from the east coast to the west coast.

Re: England v NZ 2018 : Wed Nov 22, 2017 6:33 pm  

Good to see that there's plans in place for Northern Hemisphere nations after the World Cup. I hope in the coming weeks something is announced for Lebanon and the Pacific nations.

Re: England v NZ 2018 : Wed Nov 22, 2017 6:44 pm  

I think the stadium choices are good. With so few games they are never going to please everyone.

I also expect London to get the 1st test when the Australians are over in 2020.

Re: England v NZ 2018 : Wed Nov 22, 2017 7:03 pm  

If and it’s a big if, England win the World Cup the games profile in the Uk would be at its highest in decades and On the back of that London would have been ideal

Regards

King James

[PopTart]

Re: England v NZ 2018 : Wed Nov 22, 2017 7:30 pm  

The stadiums are well placed.
No reason to go to London for the sake of it.
Challenge Cup is there.

Let's celebrate the northern powerhouse for a change.

Re: England v NZ 2018 : Wed Nov 22, 2017 8:16 pm  

PopTart wrote:

The stadiums are well placed.
No reason to go to London for the sake of it.
Challenge Cup is there.

Let's celebrate the northern powerhouse for a change.

Hmmm.
I agree in part with what you've just said, but the 15 million we've taken from the Government to host the 2021 World Cup will not have been dished out on the basis that we "preach to the choir".
From memory the last 4 England games played in London averaged about 48,000. I know that includes a double header, but still, that is a figure that you have to go back to the 1986 ashes tests to see beaten by an attendance in the North.

We can only hope that the RFL are confident of getting a big gate in London in 2021 regardless of if they play next year or not.....and for the record, well done the RFL for announcing the venues and getting tickets on sale now...no reason why we won't see 3 full houses! Is the tour to be broadcast by the BBC?

Re: England v NZ 2018 : Wed Nov 22, 2017 10:36 pm  

Little Ivor wrote:

Okay so venues announced:

KCOM Hull - Saturday 27/10/2018
Anfield - Saturday 03/11/2018
Elland Road - Saturday 11/11/2018

Good that we're going for two bigger stadiums, but a little disappointing at nothing in London.

Two poor stadiums chosen.

There are many seats in Anfield where you cannot see the full pitch, in 2017 that’s astounding. And Elland Rd is an awful stadium.

But plenty of notice given to get good attendances

Re: England v NZ 2018 : Thu Nov 23, 2017 9:51 am  

The only other criticism I'll through out there is the potential missed opportunity in Newcastle.

Magic Weekend is a great concept in Newcastle, but we seem to be satisfied with one hit on that city every year. In the meantime, Newcastle Falcons are marketing their "big one" at St James Park in March, and the RU European Cup Final will be there in 2019. If the RFL / RL clubs are serious about the NE, they need to tap into that market properly.

[TimperleySaint]

Re: England v NZ 2018 : Thu Nov 23, 2017 10:57 am  

Very surprised at no London option. Didn't need to be anything as big as the Olympic stadium, but plenty of other 30-40k seater stadiums to choose from.

Newcastle is definitely a missed opportunity given the last few years of the Magic weekend - could probably have done there instead of Hull but overall happy with the 3 choices, should be able to get plenty of tickets sold

Re: England v NZ 2018 : Thu Nov 23, 2017 12:16 pm  

TimperleySaint wrote:

Very surprised at no London option. Didn't need to be anything as big as the Olympic stadium, but plenty of other 30-40k seater stadiums to choose from.

Newcastle is definitely a missed opportunity given the last few years of the Magic weekend - could probably have done there instead of Hull but overall happy with the 3 choices, should be able to get plenty of tickets sold

Yeah I agree that there are a couple of other options they could have looked at, and I would have like to have seen a game in London. However, I can just imagine the outcry now if there had been 2 out of the 3 games outside of the heartlands... Tricky balancing act, and overall I'm pretty happy with the choices, and the relatively early announcements!