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I thought Bateman played pretty well in the World Cup. Better than his form for Wigan. Probably benefitting from better players. Look, I really hope it works out for both the Tigers and Jon. Because a fit Jon Bateman is the kind of guy others will gladly follow into battle. A real...

I think I saw a report in the British press which said somewhere in the region of 600k. I think.

There's an old saying in Boxing which is pertinent: "They never come back".

There are about thirty players in the NRL I'd consider handing a four year contract. The Jon Bateman of 2017/2018 would fall into that category. Look, I really like Jon. He's a very honest player who will give absolutely everything. I certainly don't believe he's coming over to the Tigers solely...

Here's the thing - I could perhaps accept that Bateman was suffering from some kind of niggly injury which affected his performance. But the sample size of games is just too large. Any acute injury would either have healed or been corrected via surgery. Which means it's chronic. Which means its...

I saw a lot of Tim Sheens when he was up at Hull Kingston Rovers. It was a real mixed bag. Two steps forward, two steps backward - all the time. Admittedly, Hull KR isn't one of the bigger clubs in SL. But I just didn't see the week-to-week progression I've seen with other coaches at similar...

Then there must be some other RTS. Because the guy I watched in his final season was a shadow of that other RTS. The agility. The burst. Just wasn't there.

TBH, I really don't understand why you didn't go for Albert Kelly. That guy is DESPERATE to prove he belongs in the NRL. He's always had talent. But his professionalism was lacking for many years. He fought his way into the Broncos first team and deserved his spot. Then he got injured and they...

They need Foran to stay fit. They need his experience. The kids have all the enthusiasm in the world. But when you blow a twenty point lead and panic sets in you really need a veteran to make cool and calm decisions. I enjoy their style of play (Holbrook loves to give the ball air) - but...

Yep. He's a very good kicker. Will need to improve for the NRL because the defences are so strong. But I don't see it as a problem. He works hard at his game and is very professional. The Panthers tried to get him years ago when he came over and put a beatdown on some of their best youngsters...

The Dolphins hiring Kristian Woolf was a very smart move. The guy is an absolute animal. Turned St. Helens into the best defensive team we've seen in thirty years. Brutal stuff. Anybody who thinks they're going to the Dolphins for an easy pay check are in for a nasty surprise. With Woolf you...

I hope Holbrook can survive. He really turned my club around and we owe him a lot. His failure to address some pretty fundamental issues (letting Fogarty go without an adequate replacement and the running sideshow which is Fifita) is a concern. The fact that he didn't lose the dressing room...

Just my opinion but I would have kept Hastings before Brooks. Sure, he's not the quickest or flashiest. But in terms of intangibles - it's no contest. With top and up-and-coming scrum halves being as rare as a dodo's egg I know if I can't land one I can always sink money into building the most...

The danger when attempting to fill such an influential position is getting a millstone contract wrapped around your neck which you can't get out of. Top class scrum halves are incredibly rare. Just look at the Titans. Holbrook made the foolish mistake of thinking he could get rid of Fogarty (who...

Yes, St. Helens. Home of the World Champions! Was planning to come over with the other 900 fans but the wife put the foot down and said no lol.

You might struggle to get Williams. Ricky Stuart really did a number on that kid. The way he and the club fed their mates in the media (Kenty, in particular) a stream of negative headlines about George (who had been living away from home for a long time with a young kid on the way) was...

Farnworth is a very good player. Staggs gets all of the headlines - not least because he's incredibly explosive and a handful for defenders. But in terms of winning intangibles - Farnworth all day every day. When he first went to the Broncos I kind of worried that his football background would...

Not being a native of Australia I just don't get why the Knights always seem to possess one of the worst cultures in the NRL. Players constantly getting caught up in off-the-field problems. Even when they were at their peak they always seemed to be lurching from one disaster to the next. Andrew...

Yeah, players say a lot of things. And by any comparable metric the All Blacks are a mediocre team. They just got rolled at home - by IRELAND. And it wasn't a lucky win. They were completely outclassed. Throw in a ton of other mediocre performances recently and yes - this All Blacks team isn't...

I was TOTALLY against both of those guys going to the dumpster fire that is Newcastle. Pryce is very similar to his father, Leon, who was an outstanding athlete and high achiever in the SL. I'd say the son is possibly quicker and more explosive - but I'm not sure the game intelligence and...