DoubleD

Haha fair point, my bad ?

So Kallum Watkins made his NRL debut in the derby match vs Brisbane today. Predictably Brisbane won comfortably. Watkins was one of Gold Coast’s better players but it was very much a mixed bag. He missed a cover tackle of David Fifita, after Tyrone Roberts had missed the original one, which led to a Michael Gordon sin binning for holding on after the full back got Fifita. He also lost a ball in the tackle in his own half, which led to a late Broncos try in the first half. On the plus side, the right edge for Gold Coast was most lively and he had some nice touches and passes and solid bar the one missed tackle. However, he still doesn’t look 100% to me. There was a break by Gordon on the right edge and he passed inside to Watkins who was lagging too far behind the play and a Broncos player intercepted. I’m not sure what is up, he looks like he’s not fully fit/carrying an injury. At least I hope it’s that and not that he’s on the decline. On a separate matter, what a waste of space and talent Tyrone Peachey looks at GC. He doesn’t look half the player he was at Penrith. I bet they wished they hadn’t shelled out for him now

South Sydney Rabbitohs have signed Papua New Guinea international Edene Gebbie on a two-year deal from 2020. The 24-year-old made his international Test debut for the Kumuls against Samoa in the Oceania Test series this year. A full-back of winger, Gebbie has played for the PNG Hunters and Wynnum-Manly Seagulls in the Queensland Cup over the last two seasons. Rabbitohs general manager of football, Shane Richardson, said: “Edene is an exciting prospect and we’re looking forward to seeing him develop his skills over the next two years under the guidance of our coaching staff. “He has scored 19 tries in 29 games over the past two seasons with his sides winning 22 of those 29 games in which he has played. His speed and hard running are his major assets and we’re sure that he can add more strings to his bow in our system. “He brings with him international experience and with some refinement of his game, as well surrounding him in a full-time professional environment, we’re certain he has what it takes to move towards an NRL debut. “His signing is another example of our recruitment plan to introduce players to our squad with great pedigrees and great character. We’re all keen to see what Edene can achieve at our club.”

I couldn’t believe I just saw that. Great news if he is fit. I hope he’s not being rushed because I can’t see St George making the playoffs so it would be pointless

A replacement for Cronk perhaps?

Particularly when the bunker can’t get it right anyway. After the shocker for the Warriors, they had another shocker for the South’s va Manly last week when they missed a knock on in the Manly first try

I think he’s played all his games for the Roosters on the right wing. Daniel Tupou has been impressive this year on the left and formed a good relationship with Mitchell so don’t think they want to disrupt that

Brisbane back line is riddled with injuries. Milford is now out with his knee and Kennar is out for the season after doing his shoulder vs Newcastle. I’d expect Farnworth to play on the wing in place of Kennar

Sol Campbell would be Prime Minister by now if he wasn't black

It just makes me laugh when some people say it’s the pinnacle of the game. I can’t see anything other than a NSW win.

The biggest headache NSW have is the halves. Reynolds and Walker are a good fit but it’s difficult to leave Keary out. Could Keary play scrum half with Walker at stand off?

It’s really desperate times if Granville is your best hooker. I can name 4 better hookers than him in Super League. There are a number of players there that don’t really deserve to be in on form - Gagai being one of them but you could probably throw Gillett, Chambers in with that too

Here’s my selection......I agree it’s slim pickings in some positions and a bit of square pegs in round holes. I would’ve preferred Munster at stand off. On the bench I’d have Korbin Sims, either Wallace or Ofahenguae, Cooper and probably Hunt.

I agree but I would question the selection of Michael morgan in the centre and Munster at FB. I would have Munster in the halves. The pack looks weak too. I haven’t looked at the options but they’re really gonna struggle if that’s the best they’ve got. A lot of average players. Has Papali confirmed he’s playing Origin over internationals?

Not sure I like the look of that Queensland team much!!!!!

That’s pretty disgraceful to intimidate that a player might retire whilst he’s currently looking for a new club. That could have directly put suitors off going for him. Fortunately it looks like George has plenty of options

7kgs is a hell of a lot to put on in only a few months. He looked a tidy organiser for the Schoolboys over here in December but didn’t pull up any trees

Yeah I realise that mate but I think it’s important not to generalise too much about the NRL. It needs to be the right club fit and as you can see from Sam Tomkins, it isn’t always. I don’t think Canterbury would be a good move for Thompson at present, he’d be better off staying at Saints if they were the only alternative

I disagree, joining the Bulldogs would be a backward step for Thompson. They’re a mess currently

Nikora has been excellent this season when I’ve seen him, a real find.

It could spell the end of Greenberg’s time, depends how many friends in high places he has still

I have some sympathy for Greenberg. The NRL off season was a clusterfcuk and he needed to make a stand as the players were dragging the game through the mud. However it’s never good to have a knee jerk reaction

Sutton was very good yesterday, apart from a missed tackle towards the end which almost resulted in an Eels try. He ran hard and made a lot of metres. Seems a bit of a surprise package, perhaps other clubs/players are underestimating him too. Whitehead was excellent. Hodgson was good, controlling the ruck and leading the team around the pitch as usual. However he does have a tendency of playing to the forwards too much instead of finding his halves and outside backs and Canberra really should’ve put more points on the board in the first half given their dominance. Perhaps he doesn’t have much faith in his halves of Williams and Wighton. Bateman was rather subdued, not sure if he was suffering from blisters or discomfort in his boots as he changed them midway through the first half. He didn’t look his dynamic self but was solid enough

Who’d have thought Robbie Farah would be leading the way, albeit after only 3 rounds. Certainly enjoying his swan song. I chuckle when I go back to all those comments last year and before the World Cup who said Bateman wasn’t big enough to play in the forwards for England or in NRL. It’s great to see a new breed of lean, skilful and hard as nail forwards coming through with the likes of Cameron Murray and Victor Radley. Both only around 90kgs. Hugely influential and shows there’s a place for it still, particularly with the reduced interchanges

Bateman starting now, he was set to start on the bench. Looking forward to seeing how he gets on