35 replies to this topic

[dhw]

I'm a Souths fan - just local rivalry, nothing more.

Every single player that has gone to play union has needed a year to regain his fitness after returning to tgg. That's not just my opinion, have a look on the net and there are lots of interviews with players who have done it.

Are you saying that Brad Thorn took a whole year to regain his fitness? Thorn has made plenty of references to his fitness switching between RU/RL. Queensland must have been mighily desperate. If a player takes a whole season to get fit that is surely a problem with the player. Lee Smith hardly had time to wear in his kit properly before returning following his return to Leeds his waistline appears to have expanded. Some players struggled with their fitness and some did not but not aware of many players that took a whole season to regain fitness so they could maintain a place in the team.

[Severus]

Different codes require different fitness attributes. Gloucester had to put Lesley Vainikolo on a training programme after his switch from RL (I know he scored 5 tries on his debut but it was against Leeds and most were walk ins). He was very powerful but too heavy, not mobile enough and had the turning circle of an oil tanker (also terrible under a high ball). Whereas I'd expect an RU forward would have to lose weight and become much more mobile when switching to RL.

Edited by Severus, 28 June 2012 - 08:31 AM.

[trakl]

Different codes require different fitness attributes. Gloucester had to put Lesley Vainikolo on a training programme after his switch from RL (I know he scored 5 tries on his debut but it was against Leeds and most were walk ins). He was very powerful but too heavy, not mobile enough and had the turning circle of an oil tanker (also terrible under a high ball). Whereas I'd expect an RU forward would have to lose weight and become much more mobile when switching to RL.

If "most" of Vainikolo's 5 tries on his debut were "walk ins" - which ones were not? As it was only Leeds, I take it that there were many born and bred rugby union players who scored 5 tries against them that season?

A rugby union convert scoring 5 tries on his debut for a rugby league club is unlikely to be damned with such faint praise.

[Severus]

If "most" of Vainikolo's 5 tries on his debut were "walk ins" - which ones were not? As it was only Leeds, I take it that there were many born and bred rugby union players who scored 5 tries against them that season?

A rugby union convert scoring 5 tries on his debut for a rugby league club is unlikely to be damned with such faint praise.

His first try was made out of nothing. Got the ball wide on the left and ran through three Leeds defenders to score. All the others I'd expect any winger to score. They are on YouTube if you want to take a look. It's not damning with faint praise, it's telling it how it was. The game was early in the season and Glaws were on fire and had so much space in the wide channels.

Les was a fine servant to Glaws and I was sad to see him go. He had strength, skill and was an intelligent player but he did have to lose weight when he came to us. Not saying RU players are fitter, just that different positions and codes have different requirements.

Edited by Severus, 28 June 2012 - 07:01 PM.

[1976PMJwires]

Five tries in a union match should be the talking point

[trakl]

His first try was made out of nothing. Got the ball wide on the left and ran through three Leeds defenders to score. All the others I'd expect any winger to score. They are on YouTube if you want to take a look. It's not damning with faint praise, it's telling it how it was. The game was early in the season and Glaws were on fire and had so much space in the wide channels.

Les was a fine servant to Glaws and I was sad to see him go. He had strength, skill and was an intelligent player but he did have to lose weight when he came to us. Not saying RU players are fitter, just that different positions and codes have different requirements.

I have seen the footage. I disagree with you about all but one try being walk ins - but can't you see how the tone and language of your first post lacks the generosity of spirit contained in your second? Nobody reading your first post would have mistaken you for a Vainikolo fan.

Vainikolo was not a perfect, flawless rugby league player either - indeed his first season with Bradford persuaded the Sky commentary team (and some Bulls fans) to think that he was poor under the high ball and when turning towards his own goal line retrieving kicks...

Your general point re. the different games requiring different kinds of fitness is perfectly valid.

[Futtocks]

From THIS ARTICLE: "In a radio interview, New Zealand Rugby Union boss Steve Tew said he knew what Williams's plans were, but could not say"

[Celt]

Maybe it comes down to ethics and morals, I can not speak for you but mine are my own and I do not change them based on what some may consider is good for the game.
The man walked out on contract, a massive contract where he was one of the highest paid players in the game, he jumped on a Plane and just disappeared mid week.
Maybe I am getting old but you do not conduct yourself the way SBW did and then be allowed back into the game just because his Canterbury Bulldogs contract has nearly expired.
The game is bigger than the player.

You can probably see that my original post made no reference to the guy's character. That is because i also dislike immensely what he did. but others have done the same, and are not so vilified.... willie mason for one? (he may not have walked, but he made damn sure he was pushed!!) Williams behaved like a total scumbag, but Rugby League is frankly impoverished, in terms of finances, media exposure, sponsorship, public awareness, and (vis-a-vis other sports) increasingly... athletes. If we can get back a freak like SBW (as well as folau etc) then this has to be good for the code.

[CANETMAN]

If "most" of Vainikolo's 5 tries on his debut were "walk ins" - which ones were not? As it was only Leeds, I take it that there were many born and bred rugby union players who scored 5 tries against them that season?

A rugby union convert scoring 5 tries on his debut for a rugby league club is unlikely to be damned with such faint praise.

Good point here QQ (Quiz)Which club did Jiffy Davies make his RL debut against:)CM

[Usera]

Good point here QQ (Quiz)Which club did Jiffy Davies make his RL debut against:)CM

I think he made his debut against Salford, coming on in the second half.

On the subject of SBW, good to see that the Daily Mail has a nice impartial piece on the subject. It seems that Sonny Bill doesn't really want to return to the 'simple game' but has given his word:

http://www.dailymail...gby-league.html

Edited by Usera, 09 July 2012 - 11:33 AM.

[Lobbygobbler]

I think he made his debut against Salford, coming on in the second half.

On the subject of SBW, good to see that the Daily Mail has a nice impartial piece on the subject. It seems that Sonny Bill doesn't really want to return to the 'simple game' but has given his word:

http://www.dailymail...gby-league.html

On the other hand Japan play Rugby League!

[Lobbygobbler]

This is excellent news for the RLWC next year.

SBW is a huge name. Hopefully NZ will be playing a few games in London

[PhilCarrington]

This is excellent news for the RLWC next year.

SBW is a huge name. Hopefully NZ will be playing a few games in London

Only one - if they make the semi-final.

[Futtocks]

$onny Bill talking about "a debt of honour"? HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

[Pom WA]

That Daily Mail article is ridiculous, i watched the interview and he is keen to come back, 'it's the game I grew up playing' was said on two occasions.
Hopfully it will help with the world cup next year, thats if he can get a gig in the NZ team!

[walter sobchak]

This is excellent news for the RLWC next year.

SBW is a huge name. Hopefully NZ will be playing a few games in London

He's signed a one year deal which includes 12 matches in Japan playing union and boxing, what makes you think he'll stick around for the RL world cup?