NRL season starts

[Ron Manager]

Just finished watching a thrilling season opener to the Australian Rugby League season with Brisbane Broncos snatching a 19-18 victory over North Queensland Cowboys with a late drop goal.

I know one or two on here are League fans and I have to say I'm being won round. A cracking game to watch tonight and with League being the undeniably top sport in this city it's good that the pride of Brisbane is off to a winning start.

Interesting from a football point of view that this was the first game with two refs, one in each half of the field. That's something that has been spoken about for football in the past. It appeared to work well, although I don't claim to be a League expert so can't say for certain whether it made a huge difference.

 

[Uncle Leo]

Were you actually at the stadium? That game was a cracker. Tried to watch here in the office, but people kept on asking me work questions. The cheek of it.

 

[Ron Manager]

No, on TV. Was commuting home after work seeing all the people heading to the stadium. I will go to a game soon though.

Also, just realised this should be in the All Sports Forum (posted in here by mistake) if a mod could move it for me it would be much appreciated.

 

[Uncle Leo]

No, on TV. Was commuting home after work seeing all the people heading to the stadium. I will go to a game soon though.

Also, just realised this should be in the All Sports Forum (posted in here by mistake) if a mod could move it for me it would be much appreciated.

Stone the crows, good point. Sorted.

 

[Thorpe Groyney]

Still doesn't compare to Quins v Castleford in the pi55ing rain on a dank, unseasonably miserable July Saturday afternoon.

 

[Uncle Leo]

Still doesn't compare to Quins v Castleford in the pi55ing rain on a dank, unseasonably miserable July Saturday afternoon.

Was that last summer, when Quins got humped good and proper by Cas?

I went to the Challenge Cup game where Quins won by a street and all the points were scored at one end. back at The Stoop on the 29th for (I think) 'ull FC.

 

[The Big Shrimp]

So what are people on here's teams, both NRL & our own RL?

I have a soft spot in Oz for the Raiders, due to loving their shirts, but on a logical reason the Rabbitohs, due to their struggles & history! Over here? I daren't say, I'd get too much red for it!!

 

[Uncle Leo]

I've never had an NRL team and always think I should have one. I follow Queensland when it's State of Origin time.

Over here, it's Harlequins RL, although I preferred it when the club were known as the London Broncos. I was a seaso last year and although I didn't renew this year I expect I'll be a regular at The Stoop in 2009.

Need to find a cheap pub in Twickenham though, because our usual pre/post match haunt charges £3.75 a pint :stunned:

 

[The Big Shrimp]

I've never had an NRL team and always think I should have one. I follow Queensland when it's State of Origin time.

Over here, it's Harlequins RL, although I preferred it when the club were known as the London Broncos. I was a seaso last year and although I didn't renew this year I expect I'll be a regular at The Stoop in 2009.

Need to find a cheap pub in Twickenham though, because our usual pre/post match haunt charges £3.75 a pint :stunned:

:stunned:

More money than sense!! Whenever I've been to Twickers to watch Wasps (the other code!!) we've usually gone a couple of stops up the line & gone into The Orange Tree (I'm fairly certain thats its name?) Not much cheaper, but good for looking at the signed rugby shirts on the walls!

£3.75!! That said I did pay £11.00 for a Glemorangie & a vodka & a Redbull last week in a hotel!

 

[Ron Manager]

I've never had an NRL team and always think I should have one. I follow Queensland when it's State of Origin time.

Over here, it's Harlequins RL, although I preferred it when the club were known as the London Broncos. I was a seaso last year and although I didn't renew this year I expect I'll be a regular at The Stoop in 2009.

Need to find a cheap pub in Twickenham though, because our usual pre/post match haunt charges £3.75 a pint :stunned:

It's a short step from London Broncos to Brisbane Broncos mate...you should join me in supporting them. Play at the Origin stadium, a number of the best Queensland players, a real heartland of League and if you ever make it over for a game I may even be able to find sofa space for you!

Oh, and 6 dollars a pint in The Bohemia (right next to the ground) so less than £3.75.

 

[The Big Shrimp]

It's a short step from London Broncos to Brisbane Broncos mate...you should join me in supporting them. Play at the Origin stadium, a number of the best Queensland players, a real heartland of League and if you ever make it over for a game I may even be able to find sofa space for you!

Oh, and 6 dollars a pint in The Bohemia (right next to the ground) so less than £3.75.

Depending on when I get married over there next year, I might join you!!

 

[Ron Manager]

Mate, if I'm still here (head says I should be, heart says otherwise so don't really know) then you'll have to let me know when you're in Brisbane and we'll meet up for a beer. If it's between August and February then the A-League's on so we may get a Roar game in.

 

[The Big Shrimp]

Mate, if I'm still here (head says I should be, heart says otherwise so don't really know) then you'll have to let me know when you're in Brisbane and we'll meet up for a beer. If it's between August and February then the A-League's on so we may get a Roar game in.

Excellent!! Either way I'm covered, footie or rugger!! My intended's cousin lives in Mount Gravatt, so we'll be heading that way, even if we intend getting married on the beach!!

 

[Ron Manager]

Excellent!! Either way I'm covered, footie or rugger!! My intended's cousin lives in Mount Gravatt, so we'll be heading that way, even if we intend getting married on the beach!!

I work in Mt Gravatt...it's an hour commute across town in rush hour but the city is half way between there and where I am. Easily get-able after a few beers at Suncorp Stadium...if you feel brave then public transport is very good, if not then a taxi is not too extortionate.

When are you planning on getting hitched?

 

[The Big Shrimp]

I work in Mt Gravatt...it's an hour commute across town in rush hour but the city is half way between there and where I am. Easily get-able after a few beers at Suncorp Stadium...if you feel brave then public transport is very good, if not then a taxi is not too extortionate.

When are you planning on getting hitched?

Sometime next year. It will be some time either side of Christmas. Until we've moved, I don't know when we'll be getting married!!

 

[Thorpe Groyney]

I tend to watch out for the Broncos results, purely on the basis of their previous London connection, but don't go out of my way to find out. Like Uxbridge Shrimper I also side with Queensland in the State of Origin games because, well, you have to pick a team when you watch a match.

I got into Quins a bit more regularly a couple of years back through a friend, Lucy Dunscombe, who worked in the ticket office. It's a great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, the sun beating down, cheerleaders doing their stuff, and 26 blokes putting in hit after hit. I think Quins potential is absolutely massive as a force in Super League but complacency seems to be the by-word for them. If I was a serious fan I'd be infuriated.

 

[Uncle Leo]

I think Quins potential is absolutely massive as a force in Super League but complacency seems to be the by-word for them. If I was a serious fan I'd be infuriated.

They've just appointed a new general manager who has a very impressive CV, but I think complacency about sums them up.

I was in the Shepherd's Bush Walkabout for State of Origin II last year; the following Saturday Harlequins were at home to Leeds, at the time World Champions. A pub chock-full of league-mad Aussies, but there were no adverts or posters for the Quins to be seen. At the very least they should have had people handing flyers outside. Bear in mind this pub is less than half an hour away from Twickenham on a London bus....

I e-mailed the club suggesting they do something to capitalise on this (Origin III was a couple of days before Quins vs St Helens) but didn't even get a reply.

 

[Ron Manager]

They've just appointed a new general manager who has a very impressive CV, but I think complacency about sums them up.

I was in the Shepherd's Bush Walkabout for State of Origin II last year; the following Saturday Harlequins were at home to Leeds, at the time World Champions. A pub chock-full of league-mad Aussies, but there were no adverts or posters for the Quins to be seen. At the very least they should have had people handing flyers outside. Bear in mind this pub is less than half an hour away from Twickenham on a London bus....

I e-mailed the club suggesting they do something to capitalise on this (Origin III was a couple of days before Quins vs St Helens) but didn't even get a reply.

I feel the same way over here with the football. A number of pubs are packed out for Premier League and SPL matches yet there never seems to be an effort by the Queensland Roar to market directly to this seemingly captive and football mad audience. As a result you have many people over here who or huge fans of teams like Man Utd, Liverpool, Rangers, Celtic etc but don't go and see a team on their doorstep.

 

[Ron Manager]

Just about to sit and watch the Broncos take on Melbourne Storm and hopefully avenge the last minute defeat that knocked them out of the finals last year. Should be a cracker!

 

[Uncle Leo]

Just about to sit and watch the Broncos take on Melbourne Storm and hopefully avenge the last minute defeat that knocked them out of the finals last year. Should be a cracker!

Indeed it was. Melbourne knocked on a few times didn't they?