"The English super league is played a lot more like the NRL now, which is disappointing"

What do you think he means? Does he prefer the less defence and wrestling obsessed style we used to have? If we want to beat the Aussies we've no choice but to play the way they do it seems. Or should we go back to a style of game that is more exciting to watch and just assume we'll get panned every time we play them?

Or have I missed the point?

He means it's boring. The NRL has always been technically better than SL, but it's always been incredibly boring. All the teams are very conservative, playing through the middle in their own half with the aim of winning territory, completing sets and not making mistakes. SL was never like that, but is becoming more and more like that now. SL six or seven years ago was superb to watch, open and end to end. Sure it meant we got humiliated against Australian sides at times, but it's better than what the sport has become. It's been coming for years, since the RFL decided to abolish quick play the balls and allow very slow play the balls. People like the old Rogue called for it, saying scooting was destroying the game, but it wasn't. Having a quick play the ball rewards attacking teams and punishes poor and lazy defense. Allowing teams to put four into the tackle and slow the play the ball down to 12 seconds just ends up in boring rugby being played, there is very little opportunity for teams to make breaks, you are relying on a defensive mistake.

If you watch a Championship game you remember how fast and open top flight RL used to be.