AUSSIES SEEK FRENCH CONNECTION : Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:42 pm  

Catalans Dragons' longest-serving Australian players are anxiously awaiting a ruling from the Rugby League International Federation to discover if they can play for France in the Gillette Four Nations series. http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/09/09/12/RUGBYL_Catalans_Nightlead.html

Catalans Dragons' longest-serving Australian players are anxiously awaiting a ruling from the Rugby League International Federation to discover if they can play for France in the Gillette Four Nations series. http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/09/09/12/RUGBYL_Catalans_Nightlead.html

[John_D]

: Sun Sep 13, 2009 9:43 am  

Spoke to Bobbie Goulding at the Leigh v TO game and he said that while he wants to give the French lads first dibs "I'd be a fool to leave out Greenshields wouldn't I?"

: Sun Sep 13, 2009 11:27 am  

John_D wrote:

Spoke to Bobbie Goulding at the Leigh v TO game and he said that while he wants to give the French lads first dibs "I'd be a fool to leave out Greenshields wouldn't I?"

Yes you would Bobbie.

: Sun Sep 13, 2009 12:47 pm  

John_D wrote:

... "I'd be a fool to leave out Greenshields wouldn't I?"

Indeed.

So, when will the full interview be out?

In all fairness, I can't think of another etranger we would want in the side. While there are some good long-serving forign players, only Greenshields stands out filling a void in the side. I could see Mogg as a possibility, but not a good option long-term as we need to find a French SO. I think McGuire, as good as he is, would send out the wrong message, why McGuire when we have Bently?

: Sun Sep 13, 2009 12:56 pm  

Mogg and McGuire are the others mentioned.
Don't you think they would be good for the national side?

: Sun Sep 13, 2009 1:01 pm  

Sorry, editing my post while you answered.
In short, wrong message, Mogg at a push, but I'd still reckon not.

: Sun Sep 13, 2009 1:03 pm  

belgianxiii wrote:

Sorry, editing my post while you answered.
In short, wrong message, Mogg at a push, but I'd still reckon not.

I'd go with Mogg and Greenshields. Agree with the McGuire point.

: Sun Sep 13, 2009 1:04 pm  

Would we want Mogg in the side for more than a year? We would hope that Guash/Bartheau would fill in within a year or two. I know Mogg could be an option in the centres, but it would be wrong to play him ahead of Baile or Raguin. It seems a contentious decision for injury cover.

: Sun Sep 13, 2009 1:07 pm  

belgianxiii wrote:

Would we want Mogg in the side for more than a year? We would hope that Guash/Bartheau would fill in within a year or two.

Wouldn't it be a good idea to have Mogg in the squad showing the younger lads the ropes?
What level are those lads playing at the moment?
I'd imagine it would be quite a leap for them to go from their domestic competition to facing the Aussies, England and the world champions.

: Sun Sep 13, 2009 1:56 pm  

Fair enough. Is it fair to do this to Mogg though? If he was not in the squad, could he not be given a role in training?