Wigan_forever1985 wrote:Think is with union is a lot go over there hoping to walk into the England squad, once thats not an option they come back.
Personally (and this is just my observation) the tomkins brothers did very well out of Joels deal as they have done from Sams deal.
If you remember Joel went on a good contract because wigan dangled the carrot of Sam joining him to saracens, Sam got Joels money as an uplift for staying, then Sam goes to another club and comes back just in time to benefit from the marque exemption
As for NFL vs NRL, i think its impossible to judge an NFL player they will have completely different skill sets and fitness types, NFL is about maximum effort for 10-20seconds followed by a rest, rugby league is relentless
do you have link were it suggested Sam would join Joel at Saracens? never read it and it would be a interesting read.
but on the Marque exemption, it was never guarenteed to come in and im sure IL has stated hes not our Marque players and was going to sign either way?
maybe witht he NFL Wanes wants some more Props
These are two reasons not to trust people.
1. We don't know them.
2. We do know them.
Wintergreen wrote:Be under no illusion, if the USA ever went into RL, they would be the best in the world within 5 years.
The quality of athletes, training and facilities out there is immense.
This, btw, is no different to what the Aussies did in the 1970's.
5 years? Maybe a bit longer.
That is a different point though from looking at NRL players (who aren't good enough for the mega $$$$$, and signing them up for league.
Wintergreen wrote:Be under no illusion, if the USA ever went into RL, they would be the best in the world within 5 years.
The quality of athletes, training and facilities out there is immense.
This, btw, is no different to what the Aussies did in the 1970's.
5 years? Maybe a bit longer.
That is a different point though from looking at NRL players (who aren't good enough for the mega $$$$$, and signing them up for league.
hmm maybe I didn't make the point clear enough.
The point that I was making is that these players would (likely) have enjoyed the very best that sporting "nurture" could give, and therefore likely be very very good athletes.
Wintergreen wrote:Be under no illusion, if the USA ever went into RL, they would be the best in the world within 5 years.
The quality of athletes, training and facilities out there is immense.
This, btw, is no different to what the Aussies did in the 1970's.
It's probably a nonstarter because our game doesn't give the sponsors in NRL time to promote their tat or other wares during natural breaks. The laws would need to be re-written to get the game on TV in USA.
I've watched the game live in Canada and USA and there are players who could make the grade but it would need to be played over there, trying to fit a player in here would make even the best feel isolated when playing without body armour. Over there, it would be thirty-odd guys without the protective helmets etc and that would be a great leveller.
A couple of 'hard cases from Burtonwood' air base tried it at Oldham in the fifties but they couldn't hack it.
Wigan_forever1985 wrote:Think is with union is a lot go over there hoping to walk into the England squad, once thats not an option they come back.
Personally (and this is just my observation) the tomkins brothers did very well out of Joels deal as they have done from Sams deal.
If you remember Joel went on a good contract because wigan dangled the carrot of Sam joining him to saracens, Sam got Joels money as an uplift for staying, then Sam goes to another club and comes back just in time to benefit from the marque exemption
As for NFL vs NRL, i think its impossible to judge an NFL player they will have completely different skill sets and fitness types, NFL is about maximum effort for 10-20seconds followed by a rest, rugby league is relentless
do you have link were it suggested Sam would join Joel at Saracens? never read it and it would be a interesting read.
but on the Marque exemption, it was never guarenteed to come in and im sure IL has stated hes not our Marque players and was going to sign either way?
maybe witht he NFL Wanes wants some more Props
It was never explicitly stated however there was a PR drive of Sam to union, and we created a "special relationship" with sarries at the time. Sam played for the barbarians too furthering the impression union would be his next stop with sarries favoured to sign.
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure
Wintergreen wrote:Be under no illusion, if the USA ever went into RL, they would be the best in the world within 5 years.
The quality of athletes, training and facilities out there is immense.
This, btw, is no different to what the Aussies did in the 1970's.
Why then has every American Football player been a failure in our game?
Anything to do with not wearing a load of shoulder padding and a crash helmet.
They may have superb training facilities but no bottle in a real contact sport like Rugby League.
Believe me just because they wear padding and helmets doesnt mean they havent got bottle. Helmets weigh between 2-4llbs and the collision is at least as big as RL players, some running backs take the ball in at full speed into players that are a lot heavier than themselves.
The Aussies take a lot of training ideas from the NFL and adapt them to suit their game, the yanks are very innovative with training methods.
