Episode 31 Super League Show

The final set, it is unfoldhng and I am watching the clock ticked down, I

just went to the assistant and am watching the clock ticked down, I

just went to the assistant `nd said just went to the assistant and said

this is tough, this. You pax for just went to the assistant `nd said

this is tough, this. You pay for it. this is tough, this. You pay for it.

This is really hard to take. Huddersfield, Roy Keane now. I did

not suspect anything. I felt he would kick long or come up with

something. Down that blindside. McGuire. He has missed theex-mac he

is a runawayex-mac within the

circumstances! He said I have never seen him run as fast as he did

there. Within the 15 second period I tell you the whole landscapd of that

tell you the whole landscape of that season changed. I is the tile we

were like meerkats, Popper heads up, we can smell something here. That

was a mere cardboard for us, that was more significant than whnning

was more significant than winning that one game. Winning that was a

huge boost, going into the week after with that. We were in the

Grand Final as a young, fresh, tough team. We had that bit of molentum.

team. We had that bit of momentum. Trying to push his way throtgh, get

Trying to push his way through, get him all the way to the end. We know

what Wigan are about, we know the quality they have got. We could not

get much of the ball but whdn quality they have got. We could not

get much of the ball but when we quality they have got. We could not

get much of the ball but whdn we did get much of the ball but when we did

we defended well to give ourselves that opportunity and the god that

try in the second-half to put that opportunity and the god that

try in the second-half to ptt an that opportunity and the god that

try in the second-half to put an end try in the second-half to ptt an end

to it. It is going to be a score for Walters, Josh Walters is over.

Winning Grand Finals is not just a bit field position and position it

is about something else. I thought those three retiring helpers, that

is what got us over the lind. is what got us over the lind.

Leagues take a hold and win the treble! What a way to finish a

magical season. I have been here since 1984, it is tough going, but

it is exciting as well. I could not have dreamt of a finish like this.

Relief, relief, again, it is a weird emotion. You would think it would be

euphoria. But we had been so close and to make the Grand Final, to have

not won the Grand Final. I would have got over it by now but it would

have been a huge, on the field have got over it by now but it would

have been a huge, on the fidld you look at the faces of those three,

everybody likes a fairy tale romantic finish. You'll look back at

them from a distance and thhnk this them from a distance and thhnk this

must be great for them, to be sent out on such a high, first at a high

level of performance, it must be brilliant for them. Joining me is

Jamie Peacock. Is -- hasn't sunk in what you guys managed to achieve? It

has now, I am away from the place and have time to reflect on what an

achievement it was from the team, it is just because the competition was

so tough. What we did was unbelievable. It has been an

unbelievable effort. An incredible last couple of months for everyone

involved. That just added the cup we did not do it the easy way. We

nailed that performance at Wembley. Mostly it's just took a lot out of

us. To use the boxing analogy, the 12 round knockouts. To win that way

in sports, it is great. When you are fewer in the semifinal, what did you

think? That game was so emotional for me and I knew it could be my

last game but I did not want it to be my last game because we would be

losing one and for him to kick that when we got the turn of the momentum

of the game, the Saints had been cut her life for a long time to come up

with a piece of skill lake that on that level brought us up. You knew

they were retiring, at what point did that start to drive the team

forward? Not till the end, H'd steer forward? Not till the end, I'd steer

the end of the season. You can see the will in the eye in the last

couple of games. As much as they wanted to win themselves. Especially

when we had to dig in India Grand Final, if you do not hold a team

like Wigan like we did in the last 15 minutes without having some

desire to do something incrddible desire to do something incrddible

that the will to do it for somebody else so I probably felt that for

them more than anything, but throughout the season, the season is

too long for that. Did you think of that team could do the cable? How

that team could do the cabld? How tough is that? I would not say no

but you hit the nail on the head with the word tough. To win the

treble, to do the treble, I wrote it had been done before and we wanted

to sense Jimmy out in the bdst possible way. When you need

something above and beyond winning the treble, the last duck in the end

that Grand Final in maybe if they get a few of us retiring at the end

of the year and play with the great club at a great coach with the great

managers of a new habitat btt club at a great coach with the great

managers of a new habitat btt I think it will be difficult. It was

not just about team honours for the beach Rhinos, their full-back Zach

Hardaker was named Super Le`gue s man of steel.

An incredible year for Zach, what do you think has been the diffdrence

you think has been the difference for him this year? I think players

go up as they get older and are in a good environment ideas in a good one

with the court, and some of the senior players in there. He was in a

few last chance saloon and he got the last chance saloon and

delivered. He has had an am`zing delivered. He has had an amazing

year. He was a great person for me to play alongside, always

enthusiastic, always wanted to win and what ball in his hand and win

the game. A true competitor. I am delighted he was the top man. Is

defensively the best full-b`ck out defensively the best full-b`ck out

there? There is not a better full-back in the game at the moment.

full-back in the game at thd moment. You cannot say it is the strongest

part of his game because he's great at attacking with the ball `s

part of his game because he's great at attacking with the ball as well,

he has the strength and evasiveness that good full-backs have btt his

defence, you do not want to concede tries and you do not get many

full-backs like that who do not want to concede tries, who want to save

fries and he sees that as the top of his priority. He is still a young

man and has played a lot of games, he will be one of the more

experienced players this year. How experienced players this ye`r. How

will he respond to that? He has the right attitudes to become a leader,

and what he needs to shape the most is his own discipline

self-discipline and as that progresses and grows in strdngth he

progresses and grows in strength he will develop into a fine le`der

progresses and grows in strdngth he will develop into a fine leader with

will develop into a fine le`der with great experience and will be

will develop into a fine leader with great experience and will bd key to

great experience and will be key to the future of the Rhinos. 2015 will

be remembered emphatically as the be remembered emphatically as the

year of the Rhinos, everyond be remembered emphatically `s the

year of the Rhinos, everyone else will be playing catch up in 201 .

George Williams won the Young Player of the Year. Sliding through, George

Williams, that has set it alight! It was a bit of a shock, I was happy to

be there in the time it was a massive achievement and somdthing I

am proud of. To win it was massive. am proud of. To win it was massive.

Knowing and Burgess played their final games for the club as the

Warriors came within seconds of claiming the league leaders shield.

They made it back to the Grand Final They made it back to the Gr`nd Final

but for the second year in April it but for the second year in April it

was a second win in a row. Gutted, really. But we came back stronger

and thought we were going to win 15 minutes ago but it was a great

final. I watched it back a few times. Anderson went through every

emotion in charge of the Huddersfield Giants, Jermaine

McGilvray enjoyed a stellar season. 27 tries mutant Super League's top

27 tries mutant Super Leagud's top scorer. They asked me which I have a

year like this I would have said no way but things have fallen into

place and I have matured as a player and played better than I have in

previous years. I am not one to previous years. I am not one to

really look at my tries, I look at how many Carice I am doing, if they

are effective and stuff likd that. The Giants were 14 -- 14 in the

stage winning five of their matters. The Giants were left stranddd once

The Giants were left stranded once again. It was that final hurdle once

again that he could not get over, we were coming up against big teams in

big games. I am 27 years old now and these guys were only about 2526 and

have plagued in five or six Grand Finals and stuff like this, I am 27

and have not played in one. Whether that be a Challenge Cup or a

and have not played in one. Whether that be a Challenge Cup or ` Grand

Final, I just wanted a metal ring or something like that. They do not

come to you, you can wish or hope all you want but you need to go out

and grab it. 2014 Super League champions St Helens were halmered

39-0 by said Sydney in the rule cup challenge but got off to a fire in

defence of their domestic title. Huge toss from Wilkin and hd

defence of their domestic thtle Huge toss from Wilkin and he will

score. He played his last g`me, Huge toss from Wilkin and hd will

score. He played his last game, so score. He played his last game, so

too did lines or higher, as Saints used seven different full-backs. It

is Quinlan in support for a hat-trick. What a night. We got to

two semifinals which does not sound too bad to be honest but from our

point of view, slightly disappointing because we knew we

could have done better, we could have gone to those finals are

probably could have gone on and won those finals but at least we

probably could have gone on and won those finals but at least wd got

those finals but at least we got knocked out by the eventual winners,

if that makes any differencd. The if that makes any difference. The

season was OK, generally good but from her point of view we probably

thought he could do that little bit better. We talked about Zach

Hardaker, how good a full-b`ck was Hardaker, how good a full-b`ck was

all? Use the best full-back in Super League from his consistency, his

will to win, I have spoken about League from his consistency, his

will to win, I have spoken about it already, he was pleased with the

will to win that he had it hn will to win that he had it in

bucketloads. He is an incredibly brave player, in the first time I

played alongside him at the 200 World Cup, I cannot believe how

tough and a player he was at the Centre will miss madness that

tough and a player he was at the Centre will miss madness th`t strike

Centre will miss madness that strike he has the leadership at thd field

he has the leadership at the field as well, what a fantastic m`n, an

absolutely fantastic man. There are types of people that you see in the

types of people that you sed in the game over and over again, very brave

on the pitch but an absolutd on the pitch but an absolute

gentleman offered. It seems right that you two are bowing out at the

same time. I have so much respect for him, he is a player I h`ve

always looked up to, I think he was a pioneer going to Australia when no

a pioneer going to Australi` when no British players were there. He took

the competition by storm and then came back over the and was pivotal

to the success. The toughest player I predict X, went up again but off

the field, his kindness is second to none. This humility is what makes

him the man he is today and I am glad to see I played alongside

him the man he is today and I am glad to see I played alongshde him

glad to see I played alongside him and in his friend as well. What

about yourself, as sunk in that you have done? I have no regrets, no

nothing, I am delighted to have had the career I have had met the people

I have met and I believe I have been involved with two special teams have

involved with two special tdams have got to do things I never could have

got to do things I never cotld have imagined doing so I am quite

imagined doing so I am quitd content, quite happy. Who wants to

content, quite happy. Who w`nts to train in this kind of weather?

content, quite happy. Who wants to train in this kind of weathdr? I

train in this kind of weather? I don't! And bowed out in the best

possible way. Incredible, it finished the best possible way. Now

working time for Jamie Peacock but he like the rest of us will follow

every twist and turn of 2016 on the BBC.

We have moved to Keely when in maybe had to come to terms with the sudden

death of half-backs Danny Jones who suffered a cardiac arrest dtring a

suffered a cardiac arrest during a game in London and died aged just

29. He left behind a wife, Lizzie, and five-month-old twins Bobby and

Phoebe. The community have raised a quarter of ?1 million to help the

family. To say thank you was a sign about with the head of the Challenge

Cup final. Lizzie joins me now. When you look

back to me and such an awful time, or what was it like in terms of

everybody rallying round yot? or what was it like in terms of

everybody rallying round yot? It was amazing, the Rugby league family

amazing, the Rugby league f`mily have been the most amazing I could

have been the most amazing H could ask for, there would be no other

support that would come frol ask for, there would be no other

support that would come from any support that would come from any

other sport in the world. Rtgby other sport in the world. Rtgby

league are wonderful family. Taking you back to the Challenge Ctp final,

what are your memories of singing? Magical. Crazy to be able to have

done what I did. So honoured to be asked to do that, and so wonderful

to keep Danny's memory alivd, asked to do that, and so wonderful

to keep Danny's memory alive, but also to spread the message that

people need to be checked, `nd I want you that message going and keep

singing and making people rdmember singing and making people remember

Danny, but also make them think we Danny, but also make them think we

need to look after ourselves and make sure we are safe and hdalthy.

make sure we are safe and healthy. How important is how is the campaign

going? I don't want Danny to have died in pain and the campaigning is

going fantastically, everyone is behind me, the RFL have been

amazing. Things are happening all the time. Deferable later is, I see

it everywhere. I get messages, it everywhere. I get messages,

Facebook, Twitter, everything coming through about people who have been

saved, about campaigning, money being raised so we can have a

defibrillator in our amateur league club, and it has been so lovely to

see... I hope it keeps going. How are you doing and how are Bobby and

VB? They are good, Bobby has been a bit poorly but is on the mend. Just

keeping them out of the cold, but generally we are doing OK, we are

busy which is nice, and we have a wonderful support around us.

Rugby league reached a whole new level at the end of the season when

a group of former players and supporters climbed Kilimanj`ro.

supporters climbed Kilimanjaro. Their aim was to play the hhghest

Their aim was to play the highest ever game of rugby league, hnspired

ever game of rugby league, inspired by the late Steve Prescott. Amongst

the group was Becky Meehan. It is not easy but it is an

opportunity to test ourselves, opportunity to test ourselvds,

knowing what Steve was like, because for the last seven or eight years of

his life, he pushed his body for the last seven or eight years of

his life, he pushed his bodx to for the last seven or eight years of

his life, he pushed his body to the limits. So, you know, it is just a

shame knowing he wanted to do this, that he can't be here, becatse he

would be leading the pack. @fter three days of walking and within 24

hours of the crater, the effort is starting to take its toll on us all,

including Warrington Wolves legend libra years. I'd don't know if we

will get there. I am determined to. will get there. I am determined to.

You will. I never thought it would be like this. I am used to tough

things, I like tough things, but I am all over the place, I am doing my

best. It's hard. It is, and I know when big Chris gets up, we will all

be really pleased for him. Don't, I'll be off again! I know. Let's get

a cup of tea. Cup of ginger tea, I think.

It is 4am and this is summit day, the day we have been looking forward

to with some trepidation, f`ir the day we have been looking forward

to with some trepidation, fair to to with some trepidation, fair to

say. This is the day we will head to the summit, hopefully getting

therein about ten hours, thdn play rugby in the crater of Kilimanjaro.

rugby in the crater of Kililanjaro. Let's see it goes. Dash-mac how it

goes. As the sum rises we start to lose members of the party to

altitude sickness dash-mac `s the altitude sickness dash-mac as the

Sunrisers. Finally, on the rim of the crater of Kilimanjaro, 4685

the crater of Kilimanjaro, 5685 metres above sea level, just below

the summit. Come on everybody, well done! For Adrian Mori, this

achievement marks the end of a 20 achievement marks the end of a 0

year playing career -- a de Mori. So we had down into the crater of

Kilimanjaro to camp overnight. It is so inhospitable here nobody has come

for several years. Tomorrow we aim to play the highest ever rugby

league game and make the sulmit After a night in the crater of

Kilimanjaro we are getting ready for the match. We will kick that way.

All right. 80 gruelling minttes under RFL referee Robert Hicks.

A full measured marked out pitch with inflatable posts in a bid for

the world records for the hhghest the world records for the hhghest

ever game of rugby league. Job done. And so for the last pushed the

summit. But not before we lose another man to crippling altitude

sickness. We have made its, the peak, the

highest point in Africa. Whdreas highest point in Africa. Whereas

Adrian Morley found out, I dven the Adrian Morley found out, I even the

simplest task seems insurmountable. Feels pretty weird, doesn't it? It

does. There have been dark times, it is the hardest thing I have ever

done. But we have 38 in the group, and we have had to pull each other

through. Things like this last a through. Things like this l`st a

lifetime. A fantastic effort from everybody

involved there. Let's catch up with four more teams, the one that -- the

four more teams, the one th`t - the ones that finished right in the

middle. Castleford ended the season in fifth

but enjoyed some memorable nights against the teams that finished

above them. Roberts! To win it! On the for Castleford. I think it was

the season of near Leeds, rdally, the for Castleford. I think it was

the season of near Leeds, rdally, we just missed out on the top four

finishing fifth, and I think many people think this is a good

achievement for Castleford, expecting us to come near the

bottom, but we knew once we got nations going we would be a threat,

and we were, coming to the middle part of the season. We just missed

out on four which was disappointing. Liam Finn, no mistake. This one for

Castleford. We like to play good, attractive rugby, and when the

defence comes unstuck we score points. We just let a few more in.

We will work on that pre-season and hopefully the close games c`n be

more comfortable. Warrington failed to make the Super

League semifinals but did score some eye-catching tries. Their season

eye-catching tries. Their sdason included home and away wins against

Leeds. On the search and has found... Scores the opening try. A

very consistent year. We had injuries but you have to get on with

it. We have come once a month with a big win and we couldn't take it

it. We have come once a month with a big win and we couldn't takd it onto

big win and we couldn't take it onto the week after. Consistency wasn't

there at all. I think we will work on it this year. Richie Myldr, John

on it this year. Richie Myler, John Monaghan have left the club. It

would be a new look Warrington in 2016. We have to build and we have a

good few signings coming next year will bring a lot to us.

Catalans 10th Super League season was much like many that havd gone

was much like many that have gone before. The Dragons lost just twice

at home but won only twice ` before. The Dragons lost just twice

at home but won only twice a way. Overall we had a disappointhng

season, we set ourselves goals at season, we set ourselves goals at

the start of the year, wantdd to the start of the year, wantdd to

finish top four before we split to super rates. Once again awax form

super rates. Once again away form wasn't the best. I think if we could

turn that round we would have had a better season and push for the top

four but like I said we didn't do that. Todd Carney started jtst 2

that. Todd Carney started just 12 games. Zeb Tye was in the Dream

Team. Don't they love the moment. He is a world-class player and when he

plays with a different team as you have probably seen, he controls it

better for us and we are better when he plays with more wins with him and

the team. Hull FC recovered from an E`ster

Hull FC recovered from an Easter derby defeat to avoid the

qualifiers. Their mid-season form included seven wins from nine.

Trillo fix Ben Ali, real power, what a pass! -- terrific finale. What a

try! Just seconds on the clock, drop goal territory, and he will win the

game with that kick! The black-and-white site aiming high in

2016 with Frank Prichard among the new recruits. My goal is to help the

team move forward, stick your spot team move forward, stick your spot

in the top four and most of all help the younger boys as well, so give

them extra knowledge. If you are dash-mac-Salford is

really dull but they avoided the drama of the million pound name

which fell to Bradford and Wakefield, the Wildcats sectring

Super League status in dramatic Super League status in dramatic

fashion. Brian Smith loved ht Super League status in dram`tic

fashion. Brian Smith loved it so fashion. Brian Smith loved ht so

much he has come back for more. I came back because I loved it, I came

back because Wakefield asked me to. All the time I was here there was

pressure and it was at times nerve wracking but I don't think there was

a day when I didn't enjoy mxself, a day when I didn't enjoy mxself,

and certainly in this environment of pre-season training it is easy

and certainly in this environment of pre-season training it is e`sy for

me to walk in and lead the way when everybody is ready to rumble.

me to walk in and lead the way when everybody is ready to rumbld. We

everybody is ready to rumble. We start work at 6am or 6:30am and

finish about 3pm, and we do it six days a week, so enormous work going

on here and we know we have to do it, we are starting from a position

no other team has had to do, make up as much ground as we have too, so

there is no two ways about it, we need to work our way back into being

force in Super League. It is a am Alam but Brian is good, knows what

he's doing. He has all the knowledge in the world so we can put ht in

good stead. Wakefield took the long route to survival in 2015,

victorious in the winner takes all million pound game at Bellevue.

Overall it was a very tough season with a lot of disappointments, then

it finished on a real high, and a lot of the misfortune the club had

suffered throughout the course of the year all of a sudden turned into

fortune. Rumack finds a way through, Scott Moore for the line! Hd has

just scored the ?1 million try. Wakefield by the skin of thdir teeth

go on to the Super League -- hang onto their Super League livds. I

onto their Super League lives. I have been in a couple of Gr`nd

Finals but this is the best game I have played in, fighting for jobs

and mortgages, a tough week but you can see everyone is made

It was a tremendous amount of courage and commitment from the guys

left standing. Wonderful frhendships forged in the pressure of those

situations that the back end of last year, to make those guys care about

the club, and we have been able to the club, and we have been `ble to

add guys from outside. I definitely feel they have the necessary

feel they have the necessarx characteristics and talents to

balance the team into a much more formidable team than we were

balance the team into a much more formidable team than we werd last

season. The teams in the bottom four last year probably don't want to be

there this year so everyone is fighting for the top eight. The

competition will be fierce `nd competition will be fierce `nd

hopefully that can bring the competition will be fierce and

hopefully that can bring thd right hopefully that can bring the right

results. I am joined by director of rugby

league at Salford Tim Sheens. What brought yourself and Brian Smith to

the lower reaches of Super League? Please! LAUGHTER. Probably a

the lower reaches of Super League? Please! LAUGHTER. Probably ` couple

Please! LAUGHTER. Probably a couple of old eyes looking to use xears of

experience I suppose, you like to experience I suppose, you lhke to

think so. I would like to think there is still plenty of value in

the years we have spent in the game. For Wakefield with Brian and Salford

for me, it is a new lease of life. What did you make of the new

structure in Super League? The mid-late is very interesting. You

have to say it was successftl have to say it was successful

because it kept the crowds coming and people interested in the game

till the end of the season. Generally once you have an eight

till the end of the season. Generally once you have an dight and

half the team on there they lose interest. The downside is that

recruitment takes a risk at that point because it is an unustal

point because it is an unusual system here where if you ard

eliminated, you write off every contract in the club. So asking

people to come when you are not sure of being in Super League is not

easy. It is in the DNA of being which public with football `nd rugby

league, and so on, so I think the clubs in championship now h`ve

league, and so on, so I think the clubs in championship now have a

chance to be good enough to work their way back into Super League.

You have had a big turnover of players again over the winter, big

players again over the wintdr, big names leaving like Rangi Chase,

names leaving like Rangi Ch`se, where are you at for the season? At

the rebuilding stage, no dotbt, where are you at for the se`son At

the rebuilding stage, no doubt, but not to the point where we are not

confident to make the play-offs. not to the point where we are not

confident to make the play-offs We confident to make the play-offs We

are very confident to make the top eight. There wasn't much in it this

year, between the 12 teams to be honest. This year with everxone

strengthening more teams will take more wins from each other, and with

more wins from each other, `nd with 12 teams in eight spots, it is a

realistic goal for any team starting in Super League, whether it be Brian

and myself with our sides at this end all at the top, two or three

teams have been there since Super League started, anyone can lake

teams have been there since Super League started, anyone can make that

League started, anyone can lake that top eight. Is it time for stability

at Salford on making headlines on the pitch? The only way to get out

is not only coaching your w`y out the pitch? The only way to get out

is not only coaching your way out of it and putting together a strong

group of people, but also the recruitment, so recruitment will be

an ongoing thing for the years, not only from the outside in

but recruiting from within, youngsters, we have a number of

outstanding youngsters I believe will feature in Super League in the

will feature in Super Leagud in the next three years. So it is a

will feature in Super League in the next three years. So it is ` matter

next three years. So it is a matter of staff, recruitment is thd most

important thing, that's what the club is built about, those

personalities and the history of any organisation is part of the

structure as well. We are vdry keen structure as well. We are very keen

to drive what is the football side of things here and turn it back into

football club. That leaves ts of things here and turn it back into

football club. That leaves ts two more teams to catch up on. Here's

more teams to catch up on. Here s what happened to witness and Hull

KR. -- witness. Rovers beat Wigan and said Helen 's early in the

season but Kelly got the fans on their feet. Albert Kelly is a wave.

Isn't he covering ground? Swift in hot pursuit but Kelly will go the

distance. What a try for Kelly. There is a lot of pride and passion

in the jumper, you can see the fans turn up in numbers and are very

loud, it is up to us to go up turn up in numbers and are very

loud, it is up to us to go tp there and get points. I love it at the

moment. It is like a wild roller-coaster, having a lot of fun,

making a lot of memories. They made it to Wembley in the Challenge Cup

but recovered from a record,breaking but recovered from a record,breaking

defeat to secure their Super League status in style, winning seven out

of seven in the qualifiers. He is on his way with the pace, what a

finish! Dixon. Short pass he is over! He scores a

try! The biking season got off to a dramatic start but they failed to

make the top eight -- the want dramatic start but they failed to

make the top eight -- the w`nt a Mac make the top eight -- the w`nt a Mac

season. They ended up in second place in the qualifiers. We are a

bit short on a couple of games, in bit short on a couple of games, in

seventh, maybe sixth when you look at the table, we acquitted ourselves

well in the qualifiers, did what we set out to do which is maintained

Super League status, we did that convincingly, it was a different

feeling. We are in good ste`d convincingly, it was a diffdrent

feeling. We are in good stead for feeling. We are in good ste`d for

the future. The year ended with a visit from the

number one Machan New Zealand, the Kiwis over for a three match series

against England. -- the number one team New Zealand.

He claims the try. The skipper has won it for England!

It is all on, it is all on, he scores!

Some finish here, he has had to go over the top of Zak Hardaker! Push

it, and scores! He has the series to win! He has!

So, Tim, England finally winning the series, how important is that

So, Tim, England finally winning the series, how important is th`t to

series, how important is that to them? Obviously you would h`ve to

them? Obviously you would have to ask them but looking in, very

important. They have been narrowly important. They have been n`rrowly

beaten, made it to four Nations finals in England in 09 and 11,

missed out on the World Cup by a whisker in the last few minttes

whisker in the last few minutes, probably last year in the four

nations were lucky against us, so so nations were lucky against ts, so so

far... At the end of the day at nations were lucky against us, so so

far... At the end of the dax at home in England they are a stronger side,

there is no doubt, and getting there is no doubt, and getthng

stronger all the time. Good to see them winning at home and the crowds

them winning at home and thd crowds and the game here would have

benefited. How do you see the four nations going with Australi`

benefited. How do you see the four nations going with Australia having

nations going with Australi` having the best part of the year off. A lot

can happen. Injury, depends what the teams turn up, New Zealand were down

for the series and we were in last's for the series and we were in last's

four nations. This year England didn't have two freaky people and

Burgess back will make a huge difference. It is too far away to

make that decision as to how they will go, but you would like to think

that English full so many playing in Australia and the domestic, dish in

here looking strong, that they should field a good team and the

injury guys look after them. You were replaced as Australia coach,

how do you see the appointmdnt? There is a lot of controversy over

the situation with state football versus test football, but hd

the situation with state football versus test football, but he is a

versus test football, but hd is a good fit, there is no doubt. He has

played at that level and captained at that level, state level is in

at that level, state level hs in many ways as high a level, but the

test level needs to be lifted in its test level needs to be lifted in its

profile in that country. St`te of profile in that country. State of

Origin really controls the dominant stage by way of 40 in Austr`lia and

stage by way of 40 in Australia, and I have said for a few years, and

fortunately it is difficult thing given the press and the amount of

hype around the state series, it pushes the test games down somewhat.

However, when you looked at the World Cup here in 13, the ldvel of

World Cup here in 13, the level of interest in the body of Australian

players, so many played four nations including Australia here, it is

still the pinnacle of football when you put on that test jumper, be it

New Zealand, England or Australia, so it is good fit, hopefullx

Australia, who are in a change mode at the moment, will sort th`t

Australia, who are in a change mode at the moment, will sort that out,

and make it a good series, not only this year that the World Cup in 17.

Next door may seem a long w`y off Next door may seem a long w`y off

but you can follow every twist and but you can follow every twist and

turn of the four nations on the BBC. Before that the show returns on

Monday, February eight, and once again we will have highlights of

every single game throughout the season. Until then, have a very

happy Christmas, and we will leave you with some memorable moments

happy Christmas, and we will leave you with some memorable momdnts from

2015. Goodbye. Some say our fate

is tied to the land.