Its D day + 2 now and time for reflection on the Disaster of Old Lang Park.

The City

Brisbane is a lovely city with a very nice climate and a nice feel. Built on and around the river its a pleasant place to spend some time. All the major sports failities are within walking distance. Ferries operate like buses.

Brissy from the river

The Ground

Suncrp 2 hours before kick off

WOW. To see a stadium such as this dedicated to one sport - and that sport to be Rugby League makes me weep with joy. Its just fantastic. With the statue of Wally Lewis outside and the names of evey player to grace the Queensland State of Origin team on plaques in the pavement its an impressive walk up.

Once you are in the stadium its even more impressive. Walk in - pick up your beer, pies etc. and walk to a till. The fastes vending I have ever seen at any event. You walk in from street level onto a concourse and the stadium opens up. The seats are the comfiest I have sat in. A delight.

England RL
Inevitably there will be a lot of soul searching. Some have already said we need to play the same style. I don’t think style has anything to do with it…..play to the same rule interpretation about laying on, markers, dummy runs etc yes. Style is style.

The fundamentals were poorly executued by England - 10 errors each half - thats one knock on every 4 minutes - I ake that one a set. Its a blooming miracle we did score 22 points.

Some players are not up to international class and others are first call players in positions they should only be back up in. Then again - realistically - with the exception of the injured Burgess and Raynor - who have we left at home who we could pick in those key positions that we failed in.

The fundamental issue is we do not have enough strength in depth. The top two teams in SL have English players thoughout their squad and in the team. Yet it was some of these players - already shown up in big games against tough competition this year to not be capable in big games - that failed on the night - Saints to the fore.

I don;t have the answer. I wish I did. Send more Brits to the NRL is one solution - so fair play Mr Ellis. Stop overeas makeweights playing in key positions for Btish teams - but that might take 10-12 years to develop the talent.

Whatever the call - its a tough one.

After a couple of hectic days we arrived in Sydney yesterday - Sunday - with just enough time for a brisk walk around the harbour, book into our rooms and then it was coaches up to the Sydney Football Stadium.

It was a big ambition of mine to attend a game at the famous stadium. Unfortunatley the Ozzzies decided the semi was already in the bank and didn’t turn up. The 15,000 crowd was 90% Brits and Fijians.

The Australians were fantstic but never got out of 3rd gear really. Unless NZ really take a stride there really is only one winner. Fair play to Fiji they put it in and there was some cracking tackles - one memorable one on Lockyear that will leave him sore today. But in the final analysis it was men against boys.

So - today and Sydney. Its a lovely city and a boat trip around the famous harbour seemed the best way to get a feel for it as our hotel is in the very heart of the CBD. From th ehotel its easy to see that the city centre is very American with a centralised area of high rise full of banks and financial institutions. Shops too - great especially if you like all the big brands. From the harbour itself you get a different perspective and you get a small feel of how this city relates to the water environment. Ferries act as a major transport hub and we travelled out to the mouth of the harbour with a glimpse of the pacific passing places made famous by broadcasts from Australia in the small hours: Balmain, Manley, Paramatta, Eastern Suburbs - all stretched along a peice of inland waterways which must have been a godsend to the old sailing ships - a perfect harbour that can easily be covered from coast to city centre in 30 minutes.

To top it off there are the iconic Opera House and Bridge to really set the scene. These are the show stoppers but I get the impression that to the real Sydneysiders - its theharbour herself thats the real gem.

Mind you at a mere 18 degrees (It was 31 in Brisbane yesterday) Sydney feels cold.

As I wrote in a text to someone after the game…..Bugger.

Tonight was like watching a car crash in slow motion.

First - the stadium is awesome. More on that later.
To the game. England could not have played any worse for 20 minutes and by shear guts and some luck were still in the game at half time. I was dismayed at the absence of Sinfield and Smith for Purdham and Wellans respectivley a decision that I am sure will come back to haunt Tony Smith who is now a coach with ‘damaged goods’ written all ove rhim as both selected players had night mares.

The game was off the rails as NZ scored tiwce on the back of penalties from Westwood (another dodgey pick as it utned out) and then Purdham kicked out on the full and NZ were over again 16-0 and the game was well and truly of the rails

Off the rails BIG TIME.

Force of will saw the skipper Jamie Peacock over the line but Purdham failed to convert an easy kick.
Just before half time a superb play off a pre-planned move saw Burrows kick over direct from the scrum for Danny Mags to run through pick up and score. Rob Burroe took over kicking and knocked over the conversion.

Half time 16-10 down. But for the last 10 minutes we had been on top - sensible hooking play from Higham was allowing the props to get over the advantage and the halfs to make space. Half time came at the wrong time.

The scond half kicked off. The next score was vital. It was the NZ who got it. Good play. It wasnt a killer as shortly after Gleeson squeezed over from smart centre play.

Then it was calamity capers as Danny Mags and the hapless Gardner messed up a kick to allow NZ to restablish the 12 point lead.

Danny got one back but NZ wrapped it up at the end. Final score 32-22.

My ratings:

Wellans 5/10 - too slow - time to move on. Smith must regret leaving Lee Smith out.
Garner 5/10 - failed to take his only chance and was partly to blame for 2 ties. Stands too flat.
Gleeson 7/10 - tried hard. stilll looks the part.
Senior 6/10 - not much to report. Some good tackes but little going forward
Calderwood 5/10 - did not get any ball but did Ok
Maquire 8/10 - mixed night but 2 tries is good return and did well enough to warrant inclusion. at fault for 1 try.
Burrow 7/10 - OK - didnt do anything wrong
Graham - 7/10 poor start but better later on. Best of the saints players on show.
Roby - very poor early doors. His distribution isnt that good.
Peackock 7/10 - tried his hardest. Must be gutted.
Westwood - 4/10 - a waling penalty machine. Why was he playing?
Ellis - 6/10 Limited game time due to nasty rib injusry. Strong carries and good defence whilst on and missed when injured.
Purdham 4/10 Oh dear oh dear. Tony can you explain what was going on here? Very poor.

Subs
Price 5/10 - Not used until it was desperate. Wss he fit. Seemed to hide again. Leaon needs to get involved and chance his arm in big games.
Higham 8/10 - Not his biggets fan but boy did we look better when he was on. Great organisation from half back.
Morley 8/10 - Huge effort. We need more like him and Peacock. Where can we find them?
Wilkin - 6/10 - anonomous.

My man of the match: Gleeson - pick of a bad bunch.

Look away now.

Its 2.5 hours to kick off. England Rl kit on. Sun still blasting down and we are about to face the walk of destiny to the Suncorp.

Hope everyone is watching in UK.

Here we go…hold onto your hats people.

those of you of a nervous disposition …….

The relief of Mafekin was nothing compared to the relief of Wiganiers yesterday as we stumbled upon the award winning Pie shop at Karunda.

When they say Meat and Potato - they really mean Meat and Potoato (on top) !!!!!!!

Mayt and paytayter

PIe shop Nirvana