Re: Kyles Replacement : Thu Mar 03, 2011 9:47 am  

Saddened! wrote:

How many 11 foot beanpoles have you seen play scrum half? All the greats I can remember Murphy, Long, Eastmond, Smith, Goulding, Edwards, Burrow. They are all diminutive types.

What position did Gaskell play for the youth teams? I'll bet it wasn't 7.

You would bet wrong.
The first time I saw Gaskell play it was at 7 and I commented on here that he looked very good.
He was quite small and slim then, and I think I compared him to a young Sam Tomkins.

However he appears to be one of those kids that has had a late growth spurt, and he certainly shot up.

Since then I have seen him play at 1, 3, 6 and 7. He is a very talented young player no doubt.

Re: Kyles Replacement : Thu Mar 03, 2011 10:30 am  

St pete wrote:

Didn't think he was that old! I agree he's to old.

Greg bird anyone? I know he's a loose or stand off but stand off and scrumhalf don't differ much these days.

Well he's not yet. Only turned 31 this week so he was probably 30 last time you checked!

Re: Kyles Replacement : Thu Mar 03, 2011 11:53 am  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

Leeds or Wire bound then.

Youngest quickest backs in the league at Leeds next season

bjb, hardacker, watkins, smith, hall and the old boys at 27/28 McGuire and burrow!

Re: Kyles Replacement : Thu Mar 03, 2011 11:58 am  

sgtwilko wrote:

Youngest quickest backs in the league at Leeds next season

bjb, hardacker, watkins, smith, hall and the old boys at 27/28 McGuire and burrow!

shame your forwards are old crocks though

Re: Kyles Replacement : Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:33 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

There are tall halves yes, but who has ever heard of a tall scrum half that was any good?

Physiques change to meet changing requirements. If , forty years ago you'd have asked someone like Murphy whether the sizes and shapes of today's players are feasible he'd have probably said no. Back then it was common to field props which weren't as heavy as some of this era's wingers.

In Murphy's day there was far greater emphasis put on clever play around the scrum and ruck which meant being small was an asset. Today those rules no longer exist and there is nothing to prevent a taller, more muscular player prospering at seven.

The reason you don't see bigger players holding down a seven shirt (and doing well) is because they never get an extended run there.

Re: Kyles Replacement : Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:37 pm  

The Chair Maker wrote:

Talk of top line aussie half backs coming to SL is fantasy la la land stuff.

Discounting the 3 game European holiday of Andrew Johns, i can only think of Trent Barrett who came over in 2007 who was not of pensionable age.

Hence i think we would need to discount a signing of anyone under 30 years of age.

The main factor why they wont come over anymore is that there isnt the money in Britain compared to Australia.

What about Alfie Langer when he came to us?

Was still an international & SOO player.

Re: Kyles Replacement : Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:43 pm  

CloughieWire wrote:

What about Alfie Langer when he came to us?

Was still an international & SOO player.

He was still of pensionable age and they hadn't increased their cap as they are about to do.

Re: Kyles Replacement : Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:48 pm  

Mugwump wrote:

Physiques change to meet changing requirements. If , forty years ago you'd have asked someone like Murphy whether the sizes and shapes of today's players are feasible he'd have probably said no. Back then it was common to field props which weren't as heavy as some of this era's wingers.

In Murphy's day there was far greater emphasis put on clever play around the scrum and ruck which meant being small was an asset. Today those rules no longer exist and there is nothing to prevent a taller, more muscular player prospering at seven.

The reason you don't see bigger players holding down a seven shirt (and doing well) is because they never get an extended run there.

true,they get played elsewhere,not much point having a 6' + scrum half when he could be in the centres,making way for a smaller kid who can play at 7 because that posotion doesn't require you to be tall,and theres nowhere else for you to play 'cause youre not big enough son'

Re: Kyles Replacement : Thu Mar 03, 2011 1:05 pm  

Billinge_Lump wrote:

He was still of pensionable age and they hadn't increased their cap as they are about to do.

Valid point, but just because players are over 30 does not mean they arnt capable of playing to the highest of standards set at St. Helens.

IMHO Prince would be the idea player for you. Inevitably when Pryce leaves at the end of the season it means you can have a young enthusiastic player in Gaskell/Wheeler/Lomax & an experienced class player in Prince. It also means that Prince could pass of his trade secrets to up & coming youth.

Re: Kyles Replacement : Thu Mar 03, 2011 8:06 pm  

i'd give Jonny Lomax a go there whenever eastmond is unavailable.