posted Nov 19, 2008

Historically Wigan have produced a fair amount of their own first team players - but I find it ironic that the only two of our players to feature in the semi final for England have both just been off loaded for Aussie imports !
They may prove to be good players - Barrett was a fantastic import for us - but I think Higham has been one of our best players over the last year (not a Calderwood fan to be fair) - but its an indication of the mentality at the clubs (Wigan are not alone).

Anyone else find it interesting that the RFL exec hasnt had much to say ?? - didnt Lewis get the boot from the LTA for an inability to develop youngsters ???

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posted Nov 19, 2008

I know the Union guys will spit chips about this - but what about a Great Britain vs "Barbarians" game every year around May - they could use the cream of the overseas players in SL and maybe invite one or two of the NRL players to feature ??
Play it on one of the bank holidays and make an event out of it ????

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posted Nov 19, 2008

Grass roots is the most important thing........although most/all pro clubs have development for the community game, it is dissapointing that the personel/players who are classed as the development team are usually just doing it to make up their wage, and probably only have to do 10hrs a week, a lot don't have the passion and enthusiasm to instill on the kids mind!!!
Amateur clubs run from u7's through to 18's but again at the younger level the emphasis is on enjoyment and fun.....but although i agree i beleive that youngsters should be taught the importance of been a winner and that if you are a winner then you will enjoy things more.....mot only playing Rugby but in life in general.......
All superleague players are bulled up week in week out and when it counts against the aussies....are CRAP!!! and its because they whole RFL coaching plan that is adopted has taken away individual skill abilities....and every one is a robotic product!!!
Its sad but watching the aussies makes the hairs stand up on my neck because they are alround awsome!!

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posted Nov 19, 2008

Super League is headed in the right direction, you already have your less import quota in place, so only top quality imports will be playing there, so the standard will rise, but you still need good players. What you need to do is get the second French team into the comp, ASAP so you can build a Super league france comp off the back of this, when they have enough local teams to start there own comp England can then concentrate on Scotland and Ireland for extra teams. So the aussie and Kiwi imports will then go to france to help build that comp quickly. Just the way i see things panning out. Just want to say also i am very pleased to see Channel 9 picking up the super league rights. Now we get to see most games on free to air. The lesser teams impressed me last year, wakey and tigers i think they were. Cheers. Thank you also for Ellis and Gleason if he gets a start, 2 good players. We also need Graham at the Broncos.

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posted Nov 20, 2008

Need to import down to 2 and nuture home grown stars

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posted Nov 20, 2008

comebackdevils said:

"Are our home-grown players missing out because of all the overseas players here, or we importing so many overseas players because we just don't have enough class in our home leagues? There's probably an element of both, but surely anybody who is real class will get his chance, whoever he's competing against."

This is a fallacy in my opinion. Home grown players take time, effort and money to produce and there is the risk many won't make it. John Monie once said if you get three 1st grade players out of a champion under 21 side you are doing well.

However imports take no time, no effort and no money to produce and there is no risk as they are proven players.

So it is any wonder when there has been very little practical restriction on importing players clubs have taken the cheap less risky option?

It is a minor miracle some clubs like Leeds and Wigan have bothered with their academies at all when some other clubs have just taken the easy and cheap option.

Clubs need to be forced into producing players and the club trained player rules will help but even then each club will eventually still be allowed 5 imports which is at least two too many in my opinion.

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posted Nov 20, 2008

If there are 37% of players unable to play for England that still leaves 63% who are eligible

the real problem is the size of the pool of talent coming into league.

we are slowley seeing young players from London coming through at Quins but unlike Australia the Brits have to compete with sports that have media saturation and will have more pull like football or union.

to have all home grown player's plying there trade is a nice idea but the level will go down if this was to happen over night. This would still mean that the national team would only be able to pick a squad of 30 for any tournement so over 90% would be unable to play as they are not considered good enough by the encumbent coach.

The RFL should allow clubs to keep hold of home grown talent ( off the salary cap ) untill they are 23 at least to see if they are going to make the step up from acadamy to first team action. We lose to many players young when clubs are forced into looking for cost cutting measures whilst still aiming to finish as high as possible in the current season

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posted Nov 20, 2008

The lack of support for the flag may be something to do with the UK being herded down the road of 'multicultural multifaith'. Everyones in it for themselves. Being a UK citizen is just a means to an end.

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posted Nov 20, 2008

I take your point DaveO, and I have to concede that we've at least got to try cutting down the number of imports. When I first started watching the game as a kid in the late 50's, we were neck-and-neck with the Aussies, and NZ and France were the also-rans (although France were much stronger than they are now). So what has happened since? When we won the last series against Australia in 1970 (God, a whole working life ago for me!), the Aussies started to get serious and started studying AFL training methods, etc. The shock the '82 team gave us is a sporting trauma I'll never forget! So maybe many of the interesting postings here are on the right lines. We have to do something with our system.

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