FORUMS FORUMS






RLFANS.COM
Celebrating
25 years service to
the Rugby League
Community!

   WWW.RLFANS.COM • View topic - World Cup player let down
User avatar
RankPostsTeam
International Chairman36009
JoinedServiceReputation
Oct 13 200420 years16th
OnlineLast PostLast Page
14th Jun 24 19:3114th Jun 24 19:33LINK
Milestone Posts
30000
40000
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Poodle Power!
Signature
SUPPORT SWAG...

World Cup player let down : Fri Nov 18, 2022 8:06 am  
Despite Trojans admirable efforts, am I the only one who saw very little available raw/unknown quality at this WC.

I watched every game and not a single available player stood out. Despite what people say PNG were poor and the supposed toughness of their pack a bit of a joke. Fiji no more flair than Dewsbury in March IMHO. Lebanon, a great effort, but quality, err no.

Truth is the NRL is now far bigger and the second grade competitions also offers a decent living to a lot of players who twenty years ago would have made their way to the UK.

Let's concentrate on our Academy and British players we can pick up from other SL clubs or the Championship. It's far easier, probably far cheaper and frankly the players look far better. If later next year some quality in the NRL is freed up then fine, but most will likely be snapped up by other NRL teams in truth.

Sad, but the much vaunted quota spot is becoming a touch redundant imho as there is not much to fill it with, hence the drive by clubs like Saints and Leeds in particular to hoover up any potential young talent outside the SL.
User avatar
RankPostsTeam
Club Captain2726
JoinedServiceReputation
Jan 22 20186 years157th
OnlineLast PostLast Page
15th Jun 24 15:5710th Jun 24 19:38LINK
Milestone Posts
2500
5000
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Tomorrowland

Re: World Cup player let down : Fri Nov 18, 2022 8:26 am  
vastman wrote:
Despite Trojans admirable efforts, am I the only one who saw very little available raw/unknown quality at this WC.

I watched every game and not a single available player stood out. Despite what people say PNG were poor and the supposed toughness of their pack a bit of a joke. Fiji no more flair than Dewsbury in March IMHO. Lebanon, a great effort, but quality, err no.

Truth is the NRL is now far bigger and the second grade competitions also offers a decent living to a lot of players who twenty years ago would have made their way to the UK.

Let's concentrate on our Academy and British players we can pick up from other SL clubs or the Championship. It's far easier, probably far cheaper and frankly the players look far better. If later next year some quality in the NRL is freed up then fine, but most will likely be snapped up by other NRL teams in truth.

Sad, but the much vaunted quota spot is becoming a touch redundant imho as there is not much to fill it with, hence the drive by clubs like Saints and Leeds in particular to hoover up any potential young talent outside the SL.


Maybe for a club like ours the quota spot may not be as valuable, however there are still lots of top quality players coming to SL from the NRL.

The last I heard we were talking with 4 overseas players, so I think the club/MA still think they get something in those players that isn`t available to us here and I tend to agree with them.
RankPostsTeam
First Team Player1376
JoinedServiceReputation
Jan 21 20204 years65th
OnlineLast PostLast Page
15th Jun 24 08:5311th Jun 24 06:20LINK
Milestone Posts
1000
2500
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Durkar

Re: World Cup player let down : Fri Nov 18, 2022 8:43 am  
I'm a little puzzled because of our apparent lack of progress - I would have thought if we had players in the bag we'd have announced it as we did with Proctor. Does that mean the right quality player simply isn't available?

I was hoping we'd pick up a Stanley Gene type player but most of those coming under the guise of such as Lebanon, Greece etc etc, of good enough quality, are already with Aussie clubs!
Perhaps I've got it wrong but the silence is a little deafening and worrying we may have missed the boat with the 'stars' from down under!
User avatar
RankPostsTeam
Club Captain3635
JoinedServiceReputation
Oct 20 20159 years173rd
OnlineLast PostLast Page
15th Jun 24 17:514th Jun 24 18:39LINK
Milestone Posts
2500
5000
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530

Re: World Cup player let down : Fri Nov 18, 2022 8:47 am  
Although I thought Wakeham was a bit hit and miss in the group games, I thought in the quarter final, when Fiji were on top, he was bossing the game, against Kiwi halves with much more experience. He has utility value too, by being capable of playing at 9, which is something our current overseas player isn't willing to.

Also, I did like Laybutt, and again, has utility value, by being able to play in the halves, and at 13. Solid in defence, and looked to be more of an organiser.

I do think either of these could have done a job for us, and both are, or were looking to play in the super league
User avatar
RankPostsTeam
International Chairman36009
JoinedServiceReputation
Oct 13 200420 years16th
OnlineLast PostLast Page
14th Jun 24 19:3114th Jun 24 19:33LINK
Milestone Posts
30000
40000
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Poodle Power!
Signature
SUPPORT SWAG...

Re: World Cup player let down : Fri Nov 18, 2022 9:14 am  
Eastern Wildcat wrote:
Although I thought Wakeham was a bit hit and miss in the group games, I thought in the quarter final, when Fiji were on top, he was bossing the game, against Kiwi halves with much more experience. He has utility value too, by being capable of playing at 9, which is something our current overseas player isn't willing to.

Also, I did like Laybutt, and again, has utility value, by being able to play in the halves, and at 13. Solid in defence, and looked to be more of an organiser.

I do think either of these could have done a job for us, and both are, or were looking to play in the super league


Laybutt is 28 with one NRL game.

People seem to think Morgan Smith is a punt but he has 30+ SL games to his name - I'd rather sign more Morgan Smith TBH.

Think you're being hugely generous to Wakeham.
User avatar
RankPostsTeam
Club Owner4835
JoinedServiceReputation
Jan 04 200321 years116th
OnlineLast PostLast Page
15th Jun 24 12:5915th Jun 24 18:29LINK
Milestone Posts
2500
5000
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Signature
[IMG]//i50.tinypic.com/a59ff5.gif[/IMG]

Re: World Cup player let down : Fri Nov 18, 2022 9:22 am  
It's not just signing though is it. Visa and work permits etc need to be obtained although in some cases it's straight forward but can take time. Ink won't be dry until all processes are complete. For me I would look at home not sure what some overseas players bring to the game other than preventing the development of UK players we all know what the result of that brings. Perhaps grade A licences will allow clubs the ability to develop local talent
User avatar
RankPostsTeam
International Chairman36009
JoinedServiceReputation
Oct 13 200420 years16th
OnlineLast PostLast Page
14th Jun 24 19:3114th Jun 24 19:33LINK
Milestone Posts
30000
40000
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Poodle Power!
Signature
SUPPORT SWAG...

Re: World Cup player let down : Fri Nov 18, 2022 9:23 am  
homme vaste wrote:
Maybe for a club like ours the quota spot may not be as valuable, however there are still lots of top quality players coming to SL from the NRL.

The last I heard we were talking with 4 overseas players, so I think the club/MA still think they get something in those players that isn`t available to us here and I tend to agree with them.


Yes but we can't afford them can we, You call them quality but they are clearly on the way down or they wouldn't be coming to SL. The NRL is awash with cash, if an established player can't get an NRL gig, he's not the player he was, not these days. Name a single Aussie/Kiwi/Samoan/Tongan international whose likely to trouble SL any time soon.

Munster said it all for me and we still fall for it. He states, 'I'll be finished in the NRL by the time i'm 33 so s few years in SL looks inviting' FFS cheeky tw*t. Read I'll pick up my pension in SL.

For us the only way IMHO we win with the quota players is the only way w'eve ever one and it's not with big name reputation players. It's with your Whitbreads, Fifitas and Tupou's, second chance players.

Prescott may or may not be a good signing for us, but he's no longer close to the player he once was, we need to be realistic. My hope is that he wants to go out on a high and do something a bit special, like lead a team like us.
User avatar
RankPostsTeam
International Chairman36009
JoinedServiceReputation
Oct 13 200420 years16th
OnlineLast PostLast Page
14th Jun 24 19:3114th Jun 24 19:33LINK
Milestone Posts
30000
40000
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Poodle Power!
Signature
SUPPORT SWAG...

Re: World Cup player let down : Fri Nov 18, 2022 9:24 am  
REDWHITEANDBLUE wrote:
It's not just signing though is it. Visa and work permits etc need to be obtained although in some cases it's straight forward but can take time. Ink won't be dry until all processes are complete. For me I would look at home not sure what some overseas players bring to the game other than preventing the development of UK players we all know what the result of that brings. Perhaps grade A licences will allow clubs the ability to develop local talent


Add to that agents who keep players on the market as long as possible and play clubs off against each other.
User avatar
RankPostsTeam
Club Captain3635
JoinedServiceReputation
Oct 20 20159 years173rd
OnlineLast PostLast Page
15th Jun 24 17:514th Jun 24 18:39LINK
Milestone Posts
2500
5000
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530

Re: World Cup player let down : Fri Nov 18, 2022 10:04 am  
vastman wrote:
Laybutt is 28 with one NRL game.

People seem to think Morgan Smith is a punt but he has 30+ SL games to his name - I'd rather sign more Morgan Smith TBH.

Think you're being hugely generous to Wakeham.


A lack of NRL game time doesn't make them out to be a bad player, and shouldn't be judged

How many games of topflight rugby league did Chris Perry, JD, and another mentioned in this thread, Stanley Gene, play between them?

They all managed to carve out decent careers over here.

FWIW, I've seen the highlights of Smith, looks pretty good, and had I think 2 seasons playing for a good Warrington side, and got about 25 games, while competing with the likes of Gidley, Sandow, Patton and I think even Roberts, so that's not a bad return. He was only 18-19 when he was with them.
User avatar
RankPostsTeam
International Chairman36009
JoinedServiceReputation
Oct 13 200420 years16th
OnlineLast PostLast Page
14th Jun 24 19:3114th Jun 24 19:33LINK
Milestone Posts
30000
40000
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Poodle Power!
Signature
SUPPORT SWAG...

Re: World Cup player let down : Fri Nov 18, 2022 11:13 am  
Eastern Wildcat wrote:
A lack of NRL game time doesn't make them out to be a bad player, and shouldn't be judged

How many games of topflight rugby league did Chris Perry, JD, and another mentioned in this thread, Stanley Gene, play between them?

They all managed to carve out decent careers over here.


FWIW, I've seen the highlights of Smith, looks pretty good, and had I think 2 seasons playing for a good Warrington side, and got about 25 games, while competing with the likes of Gidley, Sandow, Patton and I think even Roberts, so that's not a bad return. He was only 18-19 when he was with them.


I agree, to an extent but things have changed dramatically since then. The point I'm making is that players like JD or Perry would probably now stay in Oz and play second grade, they may even have got a gig for the Dolphins to add depth or be set up for Perth in a few years time. To know how player hungry the NRL now is, you only have to look at Dom Young with 2 SL games to his name, or better still a former Trinity Academy player Wesley Bruins, who virtually none of us had ever heard of, got a one year development deal in Oz and could have stayed there if he'd wanted to.

SL for most Southern Hemisphere players is really a last ditch these days, unless they are star signings, which I suppose Prescott just about is and thus on decent money compared to what they would get in Oz.

For me it's slim pickings, and thats why I understand why a thoughtful coaching team like Applegarth/Ford are taking their time. I'm sure there are still some out there but we won't be the only ones looking, so it's hard work. So with that in mind I do think Leeds have the right idea on Championship second chancers.

Back to the main point, I still wasn't impressed with many of the players I saw who weren't already tied to the NRL.
Next

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: 1873, AgbriggAmbler, alegend, eric35, Google [Bot], imwakefieldtillidie, Longestday, Luppylad, poplar cats alive, PopTart, Spookisback, Willzay and 214 guests

REPLY

Subject: 
Message:
   
Please note using apple style emoji's can result in posting failures.
Use the FULL EDITOR to better format content or upload images, be notified of replies etc...

Return to Wakefield Trinity


RLFANS Recent Posts
FORUM
LAST
POST
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
1m
Smith out ASAP
ploinerrhino
652
4m
Round 13 Hull FC A
Cherry_Warri
89
26m
Leeds at Home
Chris71
258
54m
TV Games - Not Hull
hullandbronc
1922
Recent
7pm tonight
lifelongfan
8
Recent
Jon Wilkin
Chesterrhino
8
Recent
TJ on a diet
Trojan Horse
5
Recent
Wakefield Trinity Heritage Podcast - Season 3
Shifty Cat
37
Recent
Rhinos Sporting Director Announcement
Exeter Rhino
166
Recent
Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4
Exeter Rhino
9151
FORUM
LAST
VIEW
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
19s
Barrow v Halifax
Ilkley Fax
4
37s
Widnes away
Trojan Horse
68
46s
Jon Wilkin
Chesterrhino
8
50s
Recruitment rumours and links
Bunkaib
2566
1m
DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings
The Dentist
2034
1m
Kevin Sinfield
Philth
4
1m
2025 Recruitment
BullRaider
16
1m
Packs win games
rubber ducki
82
1m
FIELD
Zig
6
1m
Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4
Exeter Rhino
9151
FORUM
NEW
TOPICS
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
TODAY
TJ on a diet
Trojan Horse
5
TODAY
Leigh Leopards Resurgence Claims Dragons Scalp
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
Kevin Sinfield
Philth
4
TODAY
Jon Wilkin
Chesterrhino
1
TODAY
Hull FC Get Second Win By Beating the Rhinos
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
Surely its all over now for Watson
Hangerman2
2
TODAY
Super Salford First Half Slays The Wolves
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
Tonights game v Salford
Barbed Wire
73
TODAY
7pm tonight
lifelongfan
8
TODAY
Andy Badrock - new signing apparently
Jack Gaskell
1
TODAY
OCarroll extends contract
smiffythebul
4
TODAY
Sintillins
BigTime
5
TODAY
Max Lehmann signs
Rafa9
4
TODAY
Squads - Dragons v Leopards
Cokey
1
TODAY
Whitehaven A
Bull Mania
4
TODAY
Round 13 Hull FC A
Cherry_Warri
89
TODAY
England to play Samoa in autumn Test Series
RLFANS News
1
NEWS ITEMS
VIEWS
Leigh Leopards Resurgence Clai..
103
Hull FC Get Second Win By Beat..
146
Super Salford First Half Slays..
319
England to play Samoa in autum..
239
Wakefield Trinity Show No Merc..
1316
Wigan Warriors Dominate Challe..
1017
St Helens Beat Leeds To Lift F..
1124
Rugby League to pay homage to ..
1226
2024 State of Origin - Game 1 ..
1250
Rob Burrow - The Passing of a ..
1757
Salford Red Devils Up To Six A..
1391
Leeds Into The Six After Derby..
1380
Weakened Wigan Beat Warrington..
1429
St Helens Extend Lead At The T..
1500
Wigan Warriors Back Level Top ..
2705
RLFANS Match Centre
Matches on TV
Sat 15th Jun
SL
15:00
Hull FC18-10Leeds
SL
17:30
Catalans2-10Leigh
Sun 16th Jun
SL
15:00
LondonB-St.Helens
Thu 20th Jun
SL
20:00
Castleford-Hull KR
Fri 21st Jun
SL
20:00
Leeds-Leigh
SL
20:00
Wigan-LondonB
Sat 22nd Jun
SL
15:00
Hull FC-Warrington
SL
17:30
Catalans-Huddersfield
Sun 23rd Jun
SL
15:00
Salford-St.Helens
Wed 26th Jun
SOO
11:05
New South Wales-Queensland
Sat 29th Jun
MINT2024
17:00
France M-England M
WINT2024
14:30
FRANCE W-ENGLAND W
Wed 17th Jul
SOO
11:05
Queensland-New South Wales
Sat 17th Aug
SL
18:00
Warrington-Leeds
SL
15:30
Wigan-St.Helens
SL
13:00
Hull FC-LondonB
Sun 18th Aug
SL
13:00
Leigh-Salford
SL
15:30
Catalans-Hull KR
SL
18:00
Huddersfield-Castleford
Sun 27th Oct
MINT2024
14:30
England M-Samoa M
Sat 15th Jun
SL 14 Hull FC18-10Leeds
SL 14 Catalans2-10Leigh
WSL2024 6 BarrowW6-46WiganW
WSL2024 6 FeatherstoneW10-16Wire W
CH 11 Barrow28-38Halifax
CH 11 Toulouse52-0Doncaster
NRL 15 Wests18-10Gold Coast
NRL 15 NZ Warriors24-38Melbourne
NRL 15 Parramatta18-28Sydney
Fri 14th Jun
SL 14 Castleford8-10Wigan
SL 14 Hull KR32-6Huddersfield
SL 14 Warrington14-25Salford
NRL 15 Canberra16-34NQL Cowboys
NRL 15 Souths22-12Brisbane
Thu 13th Jun
NRL 15 Cronulla28-30Dolphins
Sun 9th Jun
NRL 14 Melbourne36-28Newcastle
NRL 14 Penrith32-22Manly
Sat 8th Jun
18956 Wakefield50-6Sheffield
NRL 14 Gold Coast12-46Souths
NRL 14 NQL Cowboys12-42NZ Warriors
This is an inplay table and live positions can change.
Mens Betfred Super League XXVIII ROUND : 1
 PLDFADIFFPTS
Wigan 13 367 164 203 22
St.Helens 13 353 136 217 20
Hull KR 14 370 189 181 20
Warrington 14 334 195 139 18
Salford 14 275 270 5 18
Catalans 14 266 202 64 16
 
Leeds 14 256 260 -4 14
Huddersfield 14 280 295 -15 12
Leigh 13 254 208 46 11
Castleford 14 226 416 -190 7
Hull FC 14 180 450 -270 4
LondonB 13 134 510 -376 2
This is an inplay table and live positions can change.
Betfred Championship 2024 ROUND : 1
 PLDFADIFFPTS
Wakefield 10 384 100 284 20
Widnes 10 260 171 89 15
Sheffield 10 288 170 118 14
Toulouse 10 276 174 102 12
Featherstone 10 290 211 79 12
Bradford 10 229 184 45 12
 
Doncaster 11 215 279 -64 9
Swinton 10 226 270 -44 8
Batley 10 161 218 -57 8
Whitehaven 10 192 272 -80 8
Halifax 11 208 313 -105 8
Barrow 10 179 293 -114 8
York 11 201 251 -50 6
Dewsbury 11 144 303 -159 2
RLFANS Recent Posts
FORUM
LAST
POST
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
1m
Smith out ASAP
ploinerrhino
652
4m
Round 13 Hull FC A
Cherry_Warri
89
26m
Leeds at Home
Chris71
258
54m
TV Games - Not Hull
hullandbronc
1922
Recent
7pm tonight
lifelongfan
8
Recent
Jon Wilkin
Chesterrhino
8
Recent
TJ on a diet
Trojan Horse
5
Recent
Wakefield Trinity Heritage Podcast - Season 3
Shifty Cat
37
Recent
Rhinos Sporting Director Announcement
Exeter Rhino
166
Recent
Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4
Exeter Rhino
9151
FORUM
LAST
VIEW
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
19s
Barrow v Halifax
Ilkley Fax
4
37s
Widnes away
Trojan Horse
68
46s
Jon Wilkin
Chesterrhino
8
50s
Recruitment rumours and links
Bunkaib
2566
1m
DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings
The Dentist
2034
1m
Kevin Sinfield
Philth
4
1m
2025 Recruitment
BullRaider
16
1m
Packs win games
rubber ducki
82
1m
FIELD
Zig
6
1m
Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4
Exeter Rhino
9151
FORUM
NEW
TOPICS
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
TODAY
TJ on a diet
Trojan Horse
5
TODAY
Leigh Leopards Resurgence Claims Dragons Scalp
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
Kevin Sinfield
Philth
4
TODAY
Jon Wilkin
Chesterrhino
1
TODAY
Hull FC Get Second Win By Beating the Rhinos
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
Surely its all over now for Watson
Hangerman2
2
TODAY
Super Salford First Half Slays The Wolves
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
Tonights game v Salford
Barbed Wire
73
TODAY
7pm tonight
lifelongfan
8
TODAY
Andy Badrock - new signing apparently
Jack Gaskell
1
TODAY
OCarroll extends contract
smiffythebul
4
TODAY
Sintillins
BigTime
5
TODAY
Max Lehmann signs
Rafa9
4
TODAY
Squads - Dragons v Leopards
Cokey
1
TODAY
Whitehaven A
Bull Mania
4
TODAY
Round 13 Hull FC A
Cherry_Warri
89
TODAY
England to play Samoa in autumn Test Series
RLFANS News
1
NEWS ITEMS
VIEWS
Leigh Leopards Resurgence Clai..
103
Hull FC Get Second Win By Beat..
146
Super Salford First Half Slays..
319
England to play Samoa in autum..
239
Wakefield Trinity Show No Merc..
1316
Wigan Warriors Dominate Challe..
1017
St Helens Beat Leeds To Lift F..
1124
Rugby League to pay homage to ..
1226
2024 State of Origin - Game 1 ..
1250
Rob Burrow - The Passing of a ..
1757
Salford Red Devils Up To Six A..
1391
Leeds Into The Six After Derby..
1380
Weakened Wigan Beat Warrington..
1429
St Helens Extend Lead At The T..
1500
Wigan Warriors Back Level Top ..
2705


Visit the RLFANS.COM SHOP
for more merchandise!