[Pacifique XIII - A huge boost for French RL?]

39 minutes ago, DoubleD said:

Interesting that they're targeting 16-22 age bracket only

I think it makes sense as they are maybe looking for players with development potential, so the younger age bracket makes sense.

With 25 year olds you would need them to be the finished article and would not be so willing to invest a few years in developing them as players. 

[Brits in the NRL]

Speaking of tackles, Gagais tackle on Wighton which was a neck shirt collar tackle from behind how do people feel about the shirt collar grab? 

Does it merit being a legit tackle? 

[Brits in the NRL]

Saw The Roosters game on replay. 

Hall had a solid game and is defensively very strong and able. A good showing imo. 

Hall should improve more as he gets more games under his belt and used to the Roosters systems. 

[Brits in the NRL]

5 minutes ago, DoubleD said:

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 

He could go to Canberra. Imagine if they sign Williams from Wigan and Thompson from Saints. 6 Englishmen in that side!. 

I agree not all NRL moves are great ones and given the evidence it seems for a Back it will be hard to make it down under (Tomkins, Eden, Sarginson, Turner all struggled to varying degrees) , Even the very good Ryan Hall is going to find it tough once fit to break Into the Roosters backline. 

For Forwards I would say there's at least 20 SL English players who would all be good NRL Forwards and another 20 English and a Frenchman or 2 who would cut it as First 25 squad men.

With Backs, Williams, Fages, Ratchford, Lomax and a Fit TJ stand out as Backs who would make a impact out there. Pace and the ability to change direction at pace is a massive thing for Backs in the NRL. 

Thompson would do well, however I agree Saints is a very good place to be and it would have to be the right move for him to a club that offers something career wise that is a step up. Saints have got a very strong team now. 

[Brits in the NRL]

14 minutes ago, Lowdesert said:

The Mole is reporting that the Bulldogs are interested in Thompson.  At 23, the NRL is a no brainer imo.

Tbh unless the salary cap goes up in SL I can see in a few years 20 English players or so in the NRL.

SL produces some very good Forwards and given the salary and lifestyle on offer some will want to go down under. 

Having said this, I don't know how much the cap could go up before SL becomes less competitive. 

2M plus 2 x marquee and home trained allowances seems reasonable. 

[Brits in the NRL]

55 minutes ago, Oxford said:

Really interesting listening to Mal Meninga and Matty Johns praising the Brits for not being over coached, playing what they see, not being precious and playing anywhere the coach asks of them.

I think it's time everyone recognised the strengths and sang the praises of our comp!

 

I agree. SL does produce alot of good players particularly in the forwards. 

Given the low salary cap, there is often a case of players filling in, like Peter Mata'utia last night at HB for Cas and putting in a Stellar preformance. 

SL while it Dosent have near the depth of the NRL does have some very good players and a all stars game between the two leagues would be closer than people may think.... 

[Fitness Thread]

22 minutes ago, Kayakman said:

Don't do it!!!!!  I tried some skipping last week after a 20 year hiatus and its brutal on the knees....don't do it!....stick to the squats and the deadlifts if you know what is good for ya.

Its amazing how much easier it is to get injured doing cardio stuff than weights in general!  Ive had bad knees from skipping, shins from running, but in 20 years or so of weights very few issues.  Yet I know not alot of people enjoy weights, only some of us. Many more like running and cycling over weights.  I love weights , even these days when Im not looking to carry as much size as I did in my early 30s, I still see weights and compound exercises as best ways to stay strong, leanish, and injury free.     IMO weights are best way to be in shape and combat ageing. Cardio is a bonus on top.