Cook Islands v Tonga RLWorld Cup

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fmttmadmin

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Not being a big follower of Rugby League in any form I had not appreciated that the Riverside crowd will be watching the second best team in the world on present form, in Tonga, being opposed by ultimate minnows in Cook Islands. The Cook Islands, forever linked to us through the name and a name that the islanders recently popularly endorsed, have a population of only 15 000. Indeed none of their players is home based.
But Tonga demolished France recently 48-12 and currently only trail hot favourites New Zealand in form. They are significantly in front of England for instance. So, any one going along on 30th October will see one of the possible winners play and a minnow with a population like Stokesley going against them.
 
It’s not my sport either, I’m glad we have a game but it does feel a bit of a token one if I’m honest.
 
It’s barely been advertised since it was announced. Can’t imagine there being a big crowd.

I’ve just looked at ticket prices, £55 for where I usually sit! and I thought Boro’s pricing was ridiculous.
 
Being the second best team in a sport which I'm not interested in still doesn't make it interesting I'm afraid.
Especially if they are going to win about 97-0.
 
I like watching rugby league and potentially would have gone but the pricing is really poor, especially given the current financial climate (which in fairness they won't have known about at the time prices were set, and in any event are probably dictated by the tournament structure for pricing rather than accounting for regional economics).
 
I also looked a couple of weeks ago as I would have liked to have attended a RLWC match especially in our home stadium but prices are too high for a bit of a novelty match.
 
theredrooster said:
I like watching rugby league and potentially would have gone but the pricing is really poor, especially given the current financial climate (which in fairness they won't have known about at the time prices were set, and in any event are probably dictated by the tournament structure for pricing rather than accounting for regional economics).
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I haven't gone to the effort of comparing to other matches, but in the Football World Cup aren't group games usually categorised into bands and priced accordingly?
 
Jedi boro said:
It’s not my sport either, I’m glad we have a game but it does feel a bit of a token one if I’m honest.
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It really isnt. As the OP says Tonga are probably 2nd favourites and would beat England quite comfortably. They play a team made up of guys discarded by the Kangaroos and Kiwis. Definitely one of the better Group games. If I was up there I would definitely go and watch one of the worlds best teams play.

(If you want a token game its Jamaica v Greece).
 
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got our tickets a few weeks ago. has been barely advertised mind so no idea what the crowd will be and it does seem overpriced. thought it was worth doing as a one off.
 
Abel Tasman said:
It really isnt. As the OP says Tonga are probably 2nd favourites and would beat England quite comfortably. They play a team made up of guys discarded by the Kangaroos and Kiwis. Definitely one of the better Group games. If I was up there I would definitely go and watch one of the worlds best teams play.

(If you want a token game its Jamaica v Greece).
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Clearly it isnt a "token game". The RL World Cup sadly will be between 4 teams and England wont make the final this time given injuries. Tonga may even make the final but as an outsider Cook Islands could make the QFs. They are better than South Africa and France. I hope the locals support it but cant help thinking the Riverside shouldn't be a venue if there is little interest. This is a good group game.
 
This is the re-arranged 2020 Rugby League World Cup and tickets were initially set out much cheaper. I have 4 tickets that were £25 and we're in the West Upper.

Regardless of token or not, I think it is a great spectacle for our local area to host a game in this tournament and can only benefit us for future events, see Arctic Monkeys etc.

Up the Islands!!
 
I'm going as it's on our doorstep.

Bought tickets ages ago before it was cancelled due to Covid.

Saw a few games in the 80's when working down in 'Ull (both teams) and a few in early 90's when working in Warrington and one in Workington when the Aussies were over.

Better than yer NFL sh:poop:te (y) ;)
 
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