EastLondonMike

Someones getting sacked for letting that through.

If the player pool is shrinking then surely the sensible thing would be to bring in changes that allowed clubs to invest further in development of home grown players?..

I'd imagine Dodds exit is already well in the works. Which also may play a part in Bennetts thinking - if he knows he wont be there next year. Feel sorry for Lewis Dodds - must be a pretty tough situation to be in as a player.

Saw this pop up on Insta. Takes a bump from a shoulder of a guy running the ball. It has that voyeuristic appeal - much like the UFC had initially. And although not as distasteful IMO - similar to the events of people slapping each other in the face which have similarly gained a certain sense of appeal. If you watch the video on Insta and view the comments, Sam Lisone has actually challenged the fella competing against Proctor - whether its legit or tongue in cheek i don't know. Whether you like it or don't, its proved popular enough to have held an event in Dubai with a decent prize fund. Apparently at a recent Manly game some of the crowd were doing it on one of the hills. According to a comment made on NRL 360 some weeks back.

I think Umyla Hanley can consider himself unlucky to not make this train on squad - even though he’s unlikely to make the Final Cut. Think the experience would have benefitted him.

Edit. Ignore.

I don't mind Ravens actually, but 100% agree that a name change isn't needed. And would stick with the Broncos. Others may have a different POV, but the Broncos name doesn't, IMO, have any real negatives associated with it. And to some of the casual sports fans in the capital it will have some identity, and a good basis to build from. Are there any Broncos hardcore on this forum? I'd be interested to hear their thoughts on the potential upcoming changes at the club.

I’ve been thinking the same for the last 15mins. Congrats to KR. Challenge cup winners.

Double post

But of a mixed bag in the first half. The team who controls the ball best and builds pressure in the 2nd half wins this. Been impressed with Holroyd for Warrington. Haven’t seen him play that often, and he’s been good today.

For no reason whatsoever - other than a gut feeling - I think it will be a Warrington win. Though hope it’s KR who lift the cup at the end of the game. here’s hoping it’s a great game regardless.

Tomkins becomes a great coach, wins numerous grand finals, develops French talent, France win World Cup. that’s how. Maybe.

I thought Brad Arthur would have made the most sense, with him not getting the WA Bears job and no NRL opportunity currently. Possibly the Wane link would be to help get Sam Tomkins ready for the big job in a few years time? Holbrook would be a good shout though. Catalans need some steel in that team.

Fullback, centre and the halves pretty much pick themselves - with a bit of depth in the halves for the first time in about 30 years. Newman i see very much as back up for Farnworth and Wardle in the centres - though would like to see Hanley involved with the squad in some capacity - even if its just training. Back row is strong. With the front row I wonder if we should be looking at playing to the strengths of what we have rather than worrying about whether what we have is equal to the Aussie strengths in that position. We have good mobile props - albeit no real stand outs in the traditional sense of big blokes who can truck it up the middle, but hard working and athletic players like Thompson, Havard, Knowles and Lees - Trout and Mulhern should be very much in the mix also. And potentially theres Max King. Picking a forward pack from Thompson, Havard, Lees, King, Radley, Nsemba, KPP, Knowles, Trout, Mulhern, Oledski and with O'Neill as a starting hooker isn't too bad at all. Personally I've never really been a fan of Jake Connor, and don't think he's reliable enough, so wouldn't have him in the squad.

QLD been really poor tonight. NSW hardly played great, but significantly better. Commentary team on Fox sports have done a good job of making it sound like QLD have been in this game.

QLD looking clunky. NSW just much more organised currently. QLD giving away far too many silly penalties at the PTB. They need half time.

Love the build up to SOO. Fox League do it so well. leaning towards a QLD win, but will likely change my mind at least a few times over the course of the game. QLD wearing Puma - NSW wearing Adi. Rivalries everywhere.

Apparently this is on Iplayer (RFL email though says its on BBC Two also - which it isn't - Judy Garland is though) - and cant actually find it anywhere on the iplayer app on my TV, or online. Nothing in the sports category, nothing coming up after a search. Why is it so difficult in an age when things are so easy. Judy Garland it is then.

Big appointment coming up for Catalan if true (which i'm sure it likely is) - certainly feels like they need a coach to have another Trent Robinson style impact to progress from where they are currently.

Was just about to post about the try having just watched highlights on youtube. A truly remarkable individual try from Nawaquanitawase. A must watch.

yeah it kind of is.. which highlights my comment about lack of knowledge around such things. But i would imagine in this case Oxen making a proposal around colour usage of the badge, and the RFL saying yes.

Thats fair enough Dave - and no doubt plenty will like it. But from a quality POV - again, only IMO, for what its worth - I think it should be of a much higher standard. Quality of product, and quality of the general aesthetic. The changing of colour of the England branding also shows how little both Oxen and the RFL truly respect the brand. The RFL more so. If they were working from a platform of commercial success over a number of years, having built a successful brand, such a thing could be looked at. But not when you are operating at such a low level. When the bottom line is the most important aspect, and the importance of quality isn't viewed in the same way - this is what you end up with.

The whole range is pretty poor Dave. Even by their standards. It’s low quality, on many levels.

I thought Oxen had turned a bit of a corner. With some of their 2025 offerings significantly better. But this suggests they’ve turned and gone back round the corner. Some really poor choices made with that England training range. Really poor. Which might not entirely be down to them. Someone at the RFL is signing off this stuff after all. I’ve said it so many times, but there is a huge knowledge gap within the game in the UK - generally - when it comes to creative.

Id be happy enough with Brimson in the squad. He can cover any of the back 5 spots, and would provide competition for both first choice centres and wingers. Can't say i've seen much of him this season, so only going on previous form, but think he would arguably be a better option than Newman currently. Does KL Iro even qualify for the kiwis? born in the UK, grew up for the most part in the Cook Islands - only spending 5 years in NZ before moving to Australia. Maybe his mother is from New Zealand? Honestly not sure if he does or not.