arcticchris

For Origin they are in camp such a short time that you can see both States clearly value knowledge of the onfield battle and leadership qualities over proven tactical coaching skills.

Of course but star power can be a big factor in enticing good players to commit to being amongst the first signings for a new club. Getting Kaufusi and the Bromwich Brothers from Melbourne gave them instant credibility that ensured others were willing to join as it did not look like a side doomed to be perennial contenders for the wooden spoon.

Far too many for Wigan to just give one name so need a few categories. Starting watching in the late 80s but only very young then. Best Aussie signing - Pat Richards. One of the most reliable kickers of the SL era. A long term part of improving a team not at its best time when he arrived. Best Kiwi - Dean Bell. Captain of arguably the greatest rugby team of either code in history. Led by example. Best ROTW - Adrian Lam. A fabulous scrum half. Best Domestic Signing - Jake Wardle. Arguably our best centre of the last 20 years. A few others were fantastic like Ellery Hanley, Martin Offiah, Henry Paul, Bevan French, Garry Connolly etc but they largely came into already supremely good teams so their signings were not transformative in the same way.

Tom Burgess Whitehead Bateman (when he was good)

Hard to see how he would even star in the championship.

That rarely lasts long and can’t be relied on.

Had everything going for him in terms of physical attributes to be a global superstar and would have been if he had the mindset of his brother. Sadly he just didn’t play his weight.

What stands out a mile there is that whilst he was far past his physical prime at that point his rugby league brain was insanely good as he was always in support where a break was made or the bounce of the ball.

Also rate him highly but he hasn’t seemed to be in the conversation despite all he has already achieved at a young age. He is Micky Mac with an upgrade in creativity and speed.

We have a pretty settled 1-7 of good quality with some decent back up options. Back row should be a point of strength if correctly selected. We need someone to have Man of Steel type season at 9 and demand selection as this is a slight weakness as things stand. Mikey Lewis should make the bench to come on and offer a spark along with cover at full back, halves and hooker. If a centre or wing goes down you can shift Welsby and put Lewis on at full back. My biggest concern is that beyond Walmsley (who has a concerning injury record) and Thompson, the front row lacks size and proven test level quality as we can’t afford to be struggling to reach halfway and then kicking on the back foot consistently.

Chelsea and Catalans Dragons - both lots of eye catching splashy signings but little signs of a coherent plan Man Utd and Leeds Rhinos - a comparison both cities will despise but huge clubs in strife from having fallen away from great academy products and replacing them with increasingly more mediocre players at cost. Everton and Widnes - 2 teams that shone brightly in the 1980s but have had little to shout about in the last 30 years. Man City and Hull KR - the noisy neighbours who have ousted their better supported and mismanaged local rivals from top dog status in the city.

That would make far too much sense for to ever happen in Rugby League

Farnworth/Fonua-Blake/Grant are top 3 for me barring an outstanding pacific cup final from one of the other Tonga and Australia players nominated.

Totally agree. It was 100% a deliberate play at the ball and the minimal contact with Johnson’s legs was both incidental and unintentional. It would have been a very soft call to give a penalty there. Credit to all the officials for making the right call and not buckling to favour the bigger nation.

Tottenham Stadium looks excellent and very modern. Big capacity and event venue feel but small enough to fill and give a great impression on TV and atmosphere.