Brits in the NRL

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3 hours ago, langpark said:

2019-2024 is actually six seasons (count them using your fingers).  So more like 16/season, still not bad.  But it seems 75 of them were played by the end of 2022, so it seems he really faded (and/or had a bad run with injuries) since joining the Bulldogs.

Bit rude to ask a duck to count with their fingers, have you no shame?

[Alan Robertson]

There's more media speculation that Dodd's Souths career might not be a particularly long one:

 

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2025-south-sydney-rabbitohs-lewis-dodd-cody-walker-resigns-extension-contact-deal-dolphins-2026/news-story/25bc6f43c62026c732000fb670a7e3cd

 

 

[DoubleD]

57 minutes ago, Alan Robertson said:

There's more media speculation that Dodd's Souths career might not be a particularly long one:

 

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2025-south-sydney-rabbitohs-lewis-dodd-cody-walker-resigns-extension-contact-deal-dolphins-2026/news-story/25bc6f43c62026c732000fb670a7e3cd

 

 

Can’t believe he’s on that much! Crazy. His agent pulled a blinder

Souths problems all started when they foolishly got rid of Reynolds, thinking Ilias was a better option. They’ve never recovered from that 

[hunsletgreenandgold]

6 minutes ago, DoubleD said:

Can’t believe he’s on that much! Crazy. His agent pulled a blinder

Souths problems all started when they foolishly got rid of Reynolds, thinking Ilias was a better option. They’ve never recovered from that 

It's pretty tame for the NRL - halves regularly earn over $1m AUD a season. 

Even in SL - Croft at the Rhinos for example is on around £350k, which is closer to $700k a season in the NRL. 

[bobbruce]

36 minutes ago, DoubleD said:

Can’t believe he’s on that much! Crazy. His agent pulled a blinder

Souths problems all started when they foolishly got rid of Reynolds, thinking Ilias was a better option. They’ve never recovered from that 

He isn’t. 

[hunsletgreenandgold]

1 hour ago, bobbruce said:

He isn’t. 

Dodd you mean? He isn’t what - on at least $650k? He definitely is. 

[langpark]

9 hours ago, DoubleD said:

Souths problems all started when they foolishly got rid of Reynolds, thinking Ilias was a better option. They’ve never recovered from that 

They did not "get rid of" him.  They were only willing to offer him a 2-year contract, while he insisted on a 3-year contract, which Broncos came in and were willing to offer him.

Given the season he had last year (his 3rd season at the Broncos), and the fact he missed half of it through injury (not unusual for a 34 year-old), I completely disagree that it was a foolish decision. 

[DoubleD]

28 minutes ago, langpark said:

They did not "get rid of" him.  They were only willing to offer him a 2-year contract, while he insisted on a 3-year contract, which Broncos came in and were willing to offer him.

Given the season he had last year (his 3rd season at the Broncos), and the fact he missed half of it through injury (not unusual for a 34 year-old), I completely disagree that it was a foolish decision. 

Souths have a policy of only offering a 1 yr extension when players reach a certain age. That’s all they offered him so they effectively showed him the door. He wanted longer term security and as their best player and captain deserved it.
Disagree all you want but Souths demise is directly attributable to his departure, as is Broncos upturn in fortunes. This article from 22 aptly sums it up

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-south-sydney-rabbitohs-got-adam-reynolds-contract-call-wrong-brisbane-broncos-round-9/news-story/b1dc29502f242019fe5c9c62c15db4a3

Edited March 20 by DoubleD

[Anita Bath]

Yes he has made the difference at the broncos…when he has been on the field. Last season they were top 2 until he got injured in roosters game which was the start of a two month spiral into oblivion.

He cant be relied upon to play a full season which is why bunnies wouldnt give him that contract.

[DoubleD]

10 minutes ago, Anita Bath said:

Yes he has made the difference at the broncos…when he has been on the field. Last season they were top 2 until he got injured in roosters game which was the start of a two month spiral into oblivion.

He cant be relied upon to play a full season which is why bunnies wouldnt give him that contract.

Cleary and Munster also missed significant chunks of last season. Fortunately their powerbrokers aren’t as short sighted with their decision making

[JM2010]

Looking forward to seeing how Knowles gets on next season. He should do well 

[hunsletgreenandgold]

2 hours ago, JM2010 said:

Looking forward to seeing how Knowles gets on next season. He should do well 

On paper he'll be great. My only slight concern is his age and miles on the clock. He'll be 29 by the time he joins up with the Dolphins and with 3 other players, who albeit have been injury ravaged, able to play lock he'll need to hit the ground running to hold down a starting spot. 

[JM2010]

25 minutes ago, hunsletgreenandgold said:

On paper he'll be great. My only slight concern is his age and miles on the clock. He'll be 29 by the time he joins up with the Dolphins and with 3 other players, who albeit have been injury ravaged, able to play lock he'll need to hit the ground running to hold down a starting spot. 

As long as he stays injury free and has a big off season I can’t see him not succeeding. He’s as tough as they come but can also pass a ball. 

[marklaspalmas]

On 17/03/2025 at 11:54, marklaspalmas said:

This thread has drifted.

In 2025 I see NINE "Brits in the NRL".

Young (Easts) Dodd (Souths) Bateman (NQC) Farnworth (Redcliffe) and presumably Sutton (Canterbury)

Smithies & Nicholson (Canberra) Pearce-Paul & Pryce (the solictor's firm of Newcastle)

Dodd, Sutton and Pryce all on the outer.

Only six British NRL regulars.

[Alan Robertson]

9 hours ago, marklaspalmas said:

Dodd, Sutton and Pryce all on the outer.

Only six British NRL regulars.

Considering all British players, currently playing in either the NRL or SL, is anybody willing to speculate how many have the ability to hold down a regular NRL spot (in the 'first 17')?

I'll kick things off for a reference point, 25.

[NRLandSL]

55 minutes ago, Alan Robertson said:

Considering all British players, currently playing in either the NRL or SL, is anybody willing to speculate how many have the ability to hold down a regular NRL spot (in the 'first 17')?

I'll kick things off for a reference point, 25.

Definitely above 50.

Edited March 21 by NRLandSL

[JM2010]

49 minutes ago, Alan Robertson said:

Considering all British players, currently playing in either the NRL or SL, is anybody willing to speculate how many have the ability to hold down a regular NRL spot (in the 'first 17')?

I'll kick things off for a reference point, 25.

Can you name them??

[AB90]

1 hour ago, JM2010 said:

Can you name them??

Good question. It’s going to be different for different positions. Much harder to cement a starting spot at Full Back (only 17 available starting spots, best/most athletic players in the country play it), half back, Five Eight etc than say props & back rowers (generally 4 props, 3 back rowers in a 17 man squad). 

So there will be SL props, second rowers that are not good as certain SL fullbacks, Halves etc that have a better chance of cementing a starting spot. For instance, imo Matty Nicholson has a better chance of cementing a starting spot in the NRL than say a Jai Field even though Jai Field is by far the superior player (at this point in time).

[Alan Robertson]

2 hours ago, JM2010 said:

Can you name them??

I'll have a bit of a go.

Starting with the six existing ones: Young, Farnworth, Bateman, KPP, Smithies, Nicholson.

Add: Nsemba, Knowles, Welsby, Walmsley ('for now', due to age), McMeeken, Lees, Clark, Tom Burgess, Currie, Havard, Makinson, Harry Smith.

Players like Dupree, James Harrison, Joe Batchelor (and a number of other forwards) would also have a solid chance - in my opinion.

I'd also add Williams and Thompson (neither of whom played as many NRL games as some of us might have expected. I think Williams became homesick and Thompson had a bad injury at one point, from memory).

Farrell, maybe. A few years ago, definitely. He's no older than Walmsley but the big lad could be rotated whereas Liam might have to play the 80 each week.

I think a significant proportion of our backs would struggle. Gildart, Hardaker and Hall are examples of British backs who only played a few dozen NRL games between them. Again, I know (for example) that Hall's time in the NRL started with a very bad injury. Before game one, from memory.

Other backs that could potentially make it: Ashton, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall and a few others.

I'm guessing that I've missed some 'obvious ones' and I'm guessing that some of my ideas will be criticised but that's my attempt.

[JM2010]

10 minutes ago, Alan Robertson said:

I'll have a bit of a go.

Starting with the six existing ones: Young, Farnworth, Bateman, KPP, Smithies, Nicholson.

Add: Nsemba, Knowles, Welsby, Walmsley ('for now', due to age), McMeeken, Lees, Clark, Tom Burgess, Currie, Havard, Makinson, Harry Smith.

Players like Dupree, James Harrison, Joe Batchelor (and a number of other forwards) would also have a solid chance - in my opinion.

I'd also add Williams and Thompson (neither of whom played as many NRL games as some of us might have expected. I think Williams became homesick and Thompson had a bad injury at one point, from memory).

Farrell, maybe. A few years ago, definitely. He's no older than Walmsley but the big lad could be rotated whereas Liam might have to play the 80 each week.

I think a significant proportion of our backs would struggle. Gildart, Hardaker and Hall are examples of British backs who only played a few dozen NRL games between them. Again, I know (for example) that Hall's time in the NRL started with a very bad injury. Before game one, from memory.

Other backs that could potentially make it: Ashton, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall and a few others.

I'm guessing that I've missed some 'obvious ones' and I'm guessing that some of my ideas will be criticised but that's my attempt.

I’ll go for Nsemba, Havard, Harry Smith, Knowles, Lees, Walmsley, Welsby, Clark, Oledski, Gannon, Newman, Ashton, Williams, Lewis and Johnstone. 

There’s some young players who might be worth a punt like the Knights did with Young

Robertson, Delaney, Stephens, Eckersley, Taylor-Wray and Lindop.

Ive probably forgotten a few but they’re the ones I can think of that could do well in the NRL

[AB90]

11 minutes ago, Alan Robertson said:

I'll have a bit of a go.

Starting with the six existing ones: Young, Farnworth, Bateman, KPP, Smithies, Nicholson.

Add: Nsemba, Knowles, Welsby, Walmsley ('for now', due to age), McMeeken, Lees, Clark, Tom Burgess, Currie, Havard, Makinson, Harry Smith.

Players like Dupree, James Harrison, Joe Batchelor (and a number of other forwards) would also have a solid chance - in my opinion.

I'd also add Williams and Thompson (neither of whom played as many NRL games as some of us might have expected. I think Williams became homesick and Thompson had a bad injury at one point, from memory).

Farrell, maybe. A few years ago, definitely. He's no older than Walmsley but the big lad could be rotated whereas Liam might have to play the 80 each week.

I think a significant proportion of our backs would struggle. Gildart, Hardaker and Hall are examples of British backs who only played a few dozen NRL games between them. Again, I know (for example) that Hall's time in the NRL started with a very bad injury. Before game one, from memory.

Other backs that could potentially make it: Ashton, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall and a few others.

I'm guessing that I've missed some 'obvious ones' and I'm guessing that some of my ideas will be criticised but that's my attempt.

Probably just forgot it but Mikey Lewis & Danny Walker would be in the certainties category. But agree overall, about 30 or so English players would be legitimate starters in my opinion.

In saying that, not all of them would make it. Tom Amone has arguably been the best prop in SL over the past 2 years - the first 3 weeks of the 2025 NRL season he has been playing NSW Cup (reserve grade) for Canterbury Bulldogs. And the Bulldogs don’t exactly have a strong front row. 

[Alan Robertson]

3 minutes ago, AB90 said:

Probably just forgot it but Mikey Lewis & Danny Walker would be in the certainties category. But agree overall, about 30 or so English players would be legitimate starters in my opinion.

In saying that, not all of them would make it. Tom Amone has arguably been the best prop in SL over the past 2 years - the first 3 weeks of the 2025 NRL season he has been playing NSW Cup (reserve grade) for Canterbury Bulldogs. And the Bulldogs don’t exactly have a strong front row. 

I agree that I should have listed Lewis and Walker as certainties.

I was 'sure' that I'd written Lewis but it seems not Walker was an oversight. 

[NRLandSL]

 

1 hour ago, JM2010 said:

I’ll go for Nsemba, Havard, Harry Smith, Knowles, Lees, Walmsley, Welsby, Clark, Oledski, Gannon, Newman, Ashton, Williams, Lewis and Johnstone. 

There’s some young players who might be worth a punt like the Knights did with Young

Robertson, Delaney, Stephens, Eckersley, Taylor-Wray and Lindop.

Ive probably forgotten a few but they’re the ones I can think of that could do well in the NRL

this is who I reckon would/could be an NRL regular-

NRL Currently- KPP, (Sutton), Smithies, Nicholson, Bateman, Young, Farnworth, Dodd

Catalans-Makinson, Whitehead, Partington

Huddersfield-Burgess, Wilson

Hull KR-Lewis, Davies, Litten, Batchelor, Minichella, Broadbent?

Leeds-Newman, Handley, Oledzki, Ackers, Smith, Connor, Holroyd?

Leigh-Hanley, Mulhern

St Helens-Welsby, Percival, Lomax, Walmsley, Clark, Lees, Batchelor, Knowles, Delaney, Robertson

Wakefield-Johnstone, McMeeken

Warrington-Thewlis, King, Ashton, Williams, Sneyd, Harrison, Walker, Currie, Lindop?

Wigan-Wardle, Marshall, Smith, Havard, O’Neil, Thompson, Nsemba, Farrell, Leeming, Dupree, Walters, Eckersley? 

-And Ben Garcia definitely as well though French

Edited March 21 by NRLandSL

[NRLandSL]

59 minutes ago, AB90 said:

Probably just forgot it but Mikey Lewis & Danny Walker would be in the certainties category. But agree overall, about 30 or so English players would be legitimate starters in my opinion.

In saying that, not all of them would make it. Tom Amone has arguably been the best prop in SL over the past 2 years - the first 3 weeks of the 2025 NRL season he has been playing NSW Cup (reserve grade) for Canterbury Bulldogs. And the Bulldogs don’t exactly have a strong front row. 

Well O’Donnell has been starting, I think the situation is probably far more to with a player-coach situation. Perhaps he isn’t performing at train, or has been deemed to unfit.

[NRLandSL]

1 hour ago, Alan Robertson said:

 

Other backs that could potentially make it: Ashton, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall and a few others.

 

Potentially??, those guys especially Ashton and Wardle are top 5 in the world at there positions. They would be elite in the NRL. “Could potentially make it” is completely disrespectful.