“Time to put some respect on the English game” says former State of Origin coach

The reaction from down under to the defeat of Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge has been interesting to say the least.

Some have found excuses for the Panthers, some have raged about the Agnatius Paasi tackle on Taylan May and others have been glad of the impact it could have on rugby league.

One of those is Laurie Daley, former New South Wales coach, he highlighted as such on the Big Sports Breakfast down under.

“It was a fabulous game of rugby league in difficult conditions. St Helens came out here and were professional from the start, they beat the Dragons and then they’ve gone into that game and led 12-0.

“You know what they thoroughly deserved that win. I thought their scramble defence was great and you could see at full time all their officials running on the field, Alex Walmsley the big prop dropping to his knees in tears.

“It meant so much to them. I said it yesterday, maybe it’s about time that we as an elitist rugby league nation start to give the English game just a little bit of credit and a little bit of respect.”

Despite this, an excuse was made for them as the absentees were highlighted:

“Let’s not forget Dylan Edwards and Liam Martin didn’t play, two significant contributors to their back to back titles. The question is can they secure a three-peat?

“I don’t know many other teams that can go with Penrith, maybe Souths, maybe the Roosters, maybe Parramatta.

“There isn’t a queue of sides in my opinion that are lining up to take on Penrith, but winning three in a row could be a mountain too steep to climb.

“Any side in the salary cap era to make three consecutive finals goes down in history as among the finest of all time, can they win three in a row? Right here, right now I’ll say no.”