England vs New Zealand 2015: one of the greatest series ever : Tue Nov 11, 2014 10:07 pm  

Name the greatest international rugby league match of the last 20 years.

Let me do it for you. It was the match between New Zealand and England on 8 November, 2014. It had everything a neutral fan of the game could want: exciting passing and running, brilliant individual plays, few mistakes by the team in possession, attacking movements shifting from side to side, and from one end of the field to another, and a constantly close score line which either side could have won from.

Don't just take my word for it. Peter Sterling, 54 years old, one of the greatest half backs of all time, and one of the most astute judges of the game, told his Channel 9 and international audience last Sunday that it was the best international game that he had ever seen!

Name the second best international game of the past 20 years.

The answer is probably the semi-final of the 2013 World Cup between New Zealand and England. That seems to be the view of Andrew Voss, and many other commentators, as well as myself.

Unfortunately most English fans, especially on the websites, are too hung up on the result in evaluating the game. As a non-partisan in these contests I am able to look at them more objectively, as are Sterling, Voss and other pundits.

My point is that the Test series between England and New Zealand in 2015 is shaping up to be one of the most entertaining series of games that genuine rugby league fans will have ever witnessed. It deserves at least one game, preferably the opening game, to be held at Wembley.

Let us hope that both teams are at full strength, and for heaven's sake let us all look forward to it!

Re: England vs New Zealand 2015: one of the greatest series : Tue Nov 11, 2014 11:23 pm  

Id put the semi as the best match. More to play for, big crowd, world class stadium, bigger tv audience, outstanding game.

Should be a cracking series!

Re: England vs New Zealand 2015: one of the greatest series : Wed Nov 12, 2014 8:12 am  

Of the last 20 Yrs.... really ?!?!

(So get ready to reel me in but...)

The 2008 RLWC final was pretty special, when underdogs NZ came from behind at half time to beat the Aussies.

Re: England vs New Zealand 2015: one of the greatest series : Wed Nov 12, 2014 8:17 am  

shinymcshine wrote:

Of the last 20 Yrs.... really ?!?!

(So get ready to reel me in but...)

The 2008 RLWC final was pretty special, when underdogs NZ came from behind at half time to beat the Aussies.

There have been other good games, but no other had the combination of very high quality attacking raids with few mistakes by either team, very strong defence by both sides, and a very close score.

Re: England vs New Zealand 2015: one of the greatest series : Wed Nov 12, 2014 9:40 am  

I really hope the RFL market next years series properly. The last 2 matches against NZ have been classics and deserve to be sell outs next year, and not just in 25k seater stadiums.

Re: England vs New Zealand 2015: one of the greatest series : Wed Nov 12, 2014 10:21 am  

JEAN CAPDOUZE wrote:

Let us hope that both teams are at full strength

We need them to be.Hopefully NZ won't have top players citing all kinds of reasons not to tour.

At full strength both teams are reasonably evenly matched so it has the potential to be a great series.If it ends up being a classic we should do the tours with the Kiwis on an alternate basis, stuff the arrogant Aussies thinking they can get everyone dancing to their tune. if the can't be arised with international RL anymore let them be the outsiders looking in on something special for once.

Re: England vs New Zealand 2015: one of the greatest series : Wed Nov 12, 2014 12:52 pm  

Play the game in 20,000 seat stadiums and sel them out not 60-70,000 and half sell it create a great atmosphere and it will aid the comp.

Re: England vs New Zealand 2015: one of the greatest series : Wed Nov 12, 2014 2:14 pm  

marshman777 wrote:

Play the game in 20,000 seat stadiums and sel them out not 60-70,000 and half sell it create a great atmosphere and it will aid the comp.

Yeah! 20,000 at Huddersfield and Wigan will really show the world that international RL is back in the big time!

If that's the extent of our ambition, no wonder the game struggles.

Re: England vs New Zealand 2015: one of the greatest series : Wed Nov 12, 2014 2:27 pm  

The new Man City stand should be done so maybe have the first game there.It will hold 50k plus but with most RL fans knowing how good a ground it is with Magic Weekend and with it being northern central, then with good promotion it should sell well.


I would certainly take one of the games to Wembley, probably game 2 and make it a double header with France playing Wales or even England Knights.



I wouldn't be against having one of the games at one of the traditional grounds.Selling all three games at massive stadia is probably a bit too much to ask so i would go for the DW or KC for the final game.

Re: England vs New Zealand 2015: one of the greatest series : Wed Nov 12, 2014 2:55 pm  

Regardles of where these games are played, or how full the grounds are, certain people on these boards will be keen to draw lazy comparisons against the Rugby Union World Cup attendances given the proximity of that event to the RL Test Series.