Who are England's world class players? Who is just below? : Sat Dec 29, 2012 9:49 pm  

I define "world class" as a player who could expect a contract with a top 12 NRL club, with more than one bidder, if he is interested.

Here is my list of undoubted world class:

Sam Tomkins
Ryan Hall
Jack Reed
Gareth Widdop
Sam Burgess
Gareth Ellis
James Graham
James Roby

My list of "just below," meaning good enough to get a contract from one of 16 NRL clubs, and be a regular starting or interchange player, but not quite in high enough demand to have several bidders:

Tom Briscoe
Josh Charnley
Zak Hardaker
Kallum Watkins
Rob Burrow
Danny McGuire
Kevin Sinfield
Rangi Chase
Shaun O'Loughlin
Gareth Hock
Ben Westwood
Chris Hill
Eorl Crabtree
Luke Burgess

Personally I think that Hock, Charnley and Hardaker would move into the "world class" category by this time next year if they can turn on great performances in the World Cup.

I also think that I will be putting Kieran Dixon into the "just below" category by this time next year.

Re: Who are England's world class players? Who is just below : Sun Dec 30, 2012 2:20 am  

JEAN CAPDOUZE wrote:

I also think that I will be putting Kieran Dixon into the "just below" category by this time next year.

A fishing expedition of the highest caliber!

Re: Who are England's world class players? Who is just below : Sun Dec 30, 2012 12:30 pm  

To say you hate Featherstone, must have made you feel sick writing that Hardaker, Burrow & Briscoe were great players!

Re: Who are England's world class players? Who is just below : Sun Dec 30, 2012 12:49 pm  

Chris.Taylor wrote:

To say you hate Featherstone, must have made you feel sick writing that Hardaker, Burrow & Briscoe were great players!

Hate Featherstone? I don't hate Featherstone. Just because I don't think they belong in Super League doesn't mean I hate the club. They are the flagbearers of a community based Championship competition which I think is vital for the game's health.

Re: Who are England's world class players? Who is just below : Sun Dec 30, 2012 6:15 pm  

Chris.Taylor wrote:

To say you hate Featherstone, must have made you feel sick writing that Hardaker, Burrow & Briscoe were great players!

ware does Burrows come from

Re: Who are England's world class players? Who is just below : Sun Dec 30, 2012 6:17 pm  

You're seriously overestimating the quality of the NRL with your definitions there.

Re: Who are England's world class players? Who is just below : Sun Dec 30, 2012 6:48 pm  

Bovrick wrote:

You're seriously overestimating the quality of the NRL with your definitions there.

It doesn't even make sense that all players in top 12 teams are 'world class'

Re: Who are England's world class players? Who is just below : Sun Dec 30, 2012 6:58 pm  

Chris.Taylor wrote:

To say you hate Featherstone, must have made you feel sick writing that Hardaker, Burrow & Briscoe were great players!

Burrow didn't have anything to do with Fev Rovers. He signed for Leeds at 13.

Re: Who are England's world class players? Who is just below : Sun Dec 30, 2012 9:12 pm  

he did, he lived near Fev but it might have well as been a million miles away

Re: Who are England's world class players? Who is just below : Sun Dec 30, 2012 9:32 pm  

frank5613 wrote:

he did, he lived near Fev but it might have well as been a million miles away

Indeed. If anyone deserves credit it's Fev Lions.