Seriously, that Salford side craps on this Leigh side. I get what you're saying but it's just too big a gulf in quality. I don't think you would get long odds on them finishing the season on 0 points.
The admittance that they may not be ready to start that first game only confirms they’re coming back too late but there’s nothing we can do now. The rugby league press are reporting Hastings is flying back as we speak, so after any quarantine they’ll get a week-ten days with the team (well after they spend time doing testing) I’d imagine. It’s far from ideal but I suppose nowt much is ideal currently.
Fingers crossed it doesn’t burn us short term (early games), medium term (over the season) or long term (requests from any future overseas signings to always do the same and those lads might not be as professional in their off season training).
The admittance that they may not be ready to start that first game only confirms they’re coming back too late but there’s nothing we can do now. The rugby league press are reporting Hastings is flying back as we speak, so after any quarantine they’ll get a week-ten days with the team (well after they spend time doing testing) I’d imagine. It’s far from ideal but I suppose nowt much is ideal currently.
Fingers crossed it doesn’t burn us short term (early games), medium term (over the season) or long term (requests from any future overseas signings to always do the same and those lads might not be as professional in their off season training).
I was under the impression there was a quarantine exemption for those working in professional sport. If that's the case I'm sure Hastings will want to play in the first one - people can say what they want about him but he's definitely not one to want to miss any games.
If Bevan is only back next week then I'd be surprised if he was risked. I imagine Zak will play fullback for one or two games.
i know that having 2 star players still in oz isnt ideal, however, if you read Tony Clubbs latest interview they are only just into real ball work, so as long as they have maintained and followed the fitness regime set by the club then it wont matter too much imo. they were integral to our team last year, and it wont take that long for them to get back up to speed with the plays (unless there are loads of new ones being introduced) as we are pretty much running with the same playing team, so apart from Field, they will know the lines the other guys run etc
Is it better to have 2 players who have been able to spend time at home with family (in extraordinary circumstances) for a little longer, and have them back feeling like the club has supported them or have dragged them back 4-6 weeks ago and have them being flogged in the cold and snow, when they can do the same work in the sun in oz. I know if i was either of those players, i would appreciate the clubs support at this time.
Will this have an impact on the team / morale, only time will tell, but that is down to how the situation is managed internally by Lam / Radlinski, which i / we arent party to those conversations. On this and the Warriors fans forum there are a lot of angry people, but i am guessing they dont have an any clue as to what has been said to the guys in Oz or the rest of the team over here. For all we know there has been daily communication with both players, and the club is taking their mental health / wellbeing into consideration in allowing them time at home?
We have a strong starting line up even without those 2 players in it, and yes it isnt ideal if they do miss the 1st game (poss 2?) but you dont win the grand final on the 1st weekend as we all know. I would rather have then back fit and firing on all cylinders, looking to win the GF and giving it all, than have been back over here weeks ago, and be off the pace ( in terms of commitment) and pining to be back with their families
Would be interesting to hear what the senior players think about Hastings not being back yet.
i know that having 2 star players still in oz isnt ideal, however, if you read Tony Clubbs latest interview they are only just into real ball work, so as long as they have maintained and followed the fitness regime set by the club then it wont matter too much imo. they were integral to our team last year, and it wont take that long for them to get back up to speed with the plays (unless there are loads of new ones being introduced) as we are pretty much running with the same playing team, so apart from Field, they will know the lines the other guys run etc
Is it better to have 2 players who have been able to spend time at home with family (in extraordinary circumstances) for a little longer, and have them back feeling like the club has supported them or have dragged them back 4-6 weeks ago and have them being flogged in the cold and snow, when they can do the same work in the sun in oz. I know if i was either of those players, i would appreciate the clubs support at this time.
Will this have an impact on the team / morale, only time will tell, but that is down to how the situation is managed internally by Lam / Radlinski, which i / we arent party to those conversations. On this and the Warriors fans forum there are a lot of angry people, but i am guessing they dont have an any clue as to what has been said to the guys in Oz or the rest of the team over here. For all we know there has been daily communication with both players, and the club is taking their mental health / wellbeing into consideration in allowing them time at home?
We have a strong starting line up even without those 2 players in it, and yes it isnt ideal if they do miss the 1st game (poss 2?) but you dont win the grand final on the 1st weekend as we all know. I would rather have then back fit and firing on all cylinders, looking to win the GF and giving it all, than have been back over here weeks ago, and be off the pace ( in terms of commitment) and pining to be back with their families
Would be interesting to hear what the senior players think about Hastings not being back yet.
The admittance that they may not be ready to start that first game only confirms they’re coming back too late but there’s nothing we can do now. The rugby league press are reporting Hastings is flying back as we speak, so after any quarantine they’ll get a week-ten days with the team (well after they spend time doing testing) I’d imagine. It’s far from ideal but I suppose nowt much is ideal currently.
Fingers crossed it doesn’t burn us short term (early games), medium term (over the season) or long term (requests from any future overseas signings to always do the same and those lads might not be as professional in their off season training).
I don’t know why Hastings wasn’t back when all the other senior players returned? I’ve always found that the longer that you are off work the harder it feels to get back.
I was under the impression there was a quarantine exemption for those working in professional sport. If that's the case I'm sure Hastings will want to play in the first one - people can say what they want about him but he's definitely not one to want to miss any games.
If Bevan is only back next week then I'd be surprised if he was risked. I imagine Zak will play fullback for one or two games.
I’ve heard different things on the quarantine period. Some are saying none and some are saying five days. I did read something about Toulouse having more issues with travel than Catalans because they’re not classed as Elite but I can’t say I’m that up to date on it all.
I think they’ll both play if they’re both coming back this week but I sense Lams ‘if they’re ready, we’ll have to see comments’ suggest he wanted them here sooner. As I’ve always said there is no issue with the extended break. You have to negotiate perks to keep good players sometimes but it’s lost it’s balance between being fair to them/helping us keep them and dragging on that long that it affects preparation for the season (which it clearly has done) IMO.
One thing I’ve always tried to do in all this is avoid making it all about Hastings, so I’m glad you mention French. Why people on both sides of the Hastings fence always want to make it just about him is beyond me when there are two lads back in Oz.
I don’t know why Hastings wasn’t back when all the other senior players returned? I’ve always found that the longer that you are off work the harder it feels to get back.
In fairness to him if it’s good enough for French then it’s good enough for him and it’s a request that overseas players may put in each and every season now we’ve set this precedent and that concerns me. I believe Hastings is very close to his grandad and he’s not been too well from what Hastings said at the back end of last season, so he clearly has some reasons. You just have to draw a line at some point though.