: Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:09 pm  

Saint Simon wrote:

This weekend?

I know. Between Stevo, Frenchie, Mc Dermot et all Messers David and co must be wondering what they have to do to get in a good opinion

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:13 pm  

On a positive note for all the pre super league doubters how quick were those eighties games played? I know it was only highlights but is it a sad reflection on British R.L in terms of how little we have advanced or is it a credit to Australian sport on how they embraced the science of the game so readily?

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:27 pm  

Even as a Saints fan I have to admit that that is a shocking tackle from Goulding in the '97 game!

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:30 pm  

calling it a tackle is harsh!, he could've got in the gb squad for that alone! Highjump that is!

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:37 pm  

It brings it home that we seem to have dumbed down our beautiful game.

Today, the game largely seems to be based on flapping about on the floor to get a quick play the ball before the defensive line is set. In addition, taking the defensive line back 10m allows attackers to build up a real head of steam meaning they'll almost certainly get over the advantage line.

Some of these videos are gems, showing that you needed guile, quick hands and the ability to work a defence from one side of the pitch to the other to create a gap - not just taking advantage of a tackler not being able to get up from the ground and set in the defensive line in 3 nanoseconds, or having your forwards always hit the line at full pelt because of how deep the defence is standing.

We've been one of the main beneficiaries of these changes, with players like KC, Roby, Pryce etc so I shouldn't complain - but have we allowed RL to become a Twenty20 version of its former self?

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:37 pm  

I particularly enjoyed the appearance in the crowd of one member of the famed folk duo Tinker's Rucksack at 4'30" of the second half.

One for you Vic Reeves Big Night Out fans.

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:42 pm  

I showed the 97 video to a friend who only goes occasionally, she was amazed that is what we were like.

I'll be showing mini Ski, so he knows how it really looks to beat Wigan.

I think the worst part is knowing they will celebrate like that one day

: Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:18 am  

Ski wrote:

I think the worst part is knowing they will celebrate like that one day

It will be years before we ever feel as good as that again - part of me would love to enjoy emotions like 1996 & 1997 again, but I dont think i can handle the 20 years of pain before it again.

Warrington and Wigan will have their day against us at some point - and it will look similar to the 1997 cup game.

[Sadfish]

: Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:09 am  

saints35 bulls0 wrote:

It will be years before we ever feel as good as that again - part of me would love to enjoy emotions like 1996 & 1997 again, but I dont think i can handle the 20 years of pain before it again.

Warrington and Wigan will have their day against us at some point - and it will look similar to the 1997 cup game.

yes whilst I liked the buzz that beating wigan gave us back then, as it happened fairly seldomly, I would much rather have less of an atmosphere and be whacking the pie eaters than that.

EVERY TIME.

: Thu Apr 16, 2009 12:58 pm  

Sadfish wrote:

yes whilst I liked the buzz that beating wigan gave us back then, as it happened fairly seldomly, I would much rather have less of an atmosphere and be whacking the pie eaters than that.

EVERY TIME.