At 23 I think he'd be a good signing, although I don't think it would happen. If it does though it HAS to be in his contract that he keeps his hair short, neat and tidy. Not having no Leeds player with long flowing locks.

Much better...

How much did he earn as an extra in the Sherlock Holmes movie?

Didnt know he used to be a full back which if the rumour that Webbis going to the yawnion game there could be an opening there. I have thought over the course of last season he played some good stuff and has that spark that we so badly missed last season. Agree that he needs a decent hair cut though!

If we put anyone other than BJB in as Webb's replacement when he finally goes, then you might as well kiss goodbye to any promising juniors who will then see Leeds as a club that no longer promotes youth into the first team.

I think the full back berth should go to BJB if and when Webb leaves. I can't see McDermott overlooking him to be honest.

Anyway, for me, Sammut is a half-back. He's the kind of player who you should look to get the ball to and watch what happens. Also, as aluded to by others, his defence is solid and his tackling technique textbook. He's also the kind of player who chases every half-chance, every dropped ball and he follows up his own kicks.

I know that this might end up sounding like a bit of a love-in, but what exactly do fans want? Young and English (someone like McNally)? An ageing Aussie?

Some people on here want a player with the talent of McGuire but who's willing to be brought in as cover. Not gonna happen.

Sammut would provide good cover until McGuire returns and then he would give Burrow a run for his money.

I'd have him tomorrow if the money was right.

He's exactaly the kind of player no English club should be signing.

id rather we made the best we could with Burrow, Webb, Sinfield, Clarkson, Ward, BJB/Smith and Ablett covering 1,6,7,13

Why, other than because Leeds signing another overseas player doesn't help your self-righteous argument with Hull KR fans over their development record?

If the right player is available for the right price, why should the business that is Leeds Rugby Limited give a stuff about the future prospects of England on the international stage?

Because it is in our interests as a club to do so.

I agree it's not just in the interest of international game it helps our club too!!!

So if Jonathan Thurston or Benji Marshall were available, Leeds should stick with Rob Burrow?

if they could sign Billy Slater, they would be better off keeping Brent Webb?

sorry can not agree, he has a great short and long passing game much better than burrows, he has a good short and long kicking game much better than burrows, he's quicker than burrow and a better defender. as good as any halfback in sl if not better. was really suprised to see him at the crusaders. not sure why he missed his window at penrith, a long term injury i think, as he was playing in the halves for the panthers when i saw him and thought he was awesome. he was gonna be the next big thing at penrith? maybe brisi or anyone else might be able to shed a bit more light on it?

no, not at all,

If JT or Benji wanted to come, i would be more than in favour of bringing them in. You wouldnt find anyone happier than me if we brought in JT, i think him and Mcguire would see us wrap up SL for the next two or three years (again) and it would be a joy to watch them doing so.

I would however expect us to drop maybe Kylie or Cross and give a shot to Ambler so that our success wasnt solely based on buying expensive Australians and that we find that balance between investing in our game and bringing the best of elsewhere over to improve the league.

If we could swap Billy Slater for Webb that would also be fantastic, but it would simply be swapping one overseas player for another so im not sure how relevant it is

Very few people fight successfully with one arm tied behind their backs.

Leeds should be making the same use of the rules that apply to every SL club as their competition. Nobody gives out prizes for self righteousness at the end of the season.

Having played against Sammut for the Lost Loiners I can conclude that he's not that good.

[size=50but I never got near him to tell really, he was usually scoring against us up the other end of the field.[/size

He's not got your quick feet or eye for a gap Sam, that's for sure...

i think relying on a 28 year old Thurston, a 32 year old Cross, and a 32 year old Kylie would be detrimental to our long term success.

Under the SC, we cannot keep bringing and churning through players of the quality of JT, Marshall, and Slater, we can only bring in players like these very few and far between,

this is why we have players like Cross, Delaney and Kylie, because these are the players we can afford to churn through, I firmly believe that Ambler and Watkins at Leeds and many more throughout british RL have potential to exceed the level of ability of Cross, Delaney and Kylie if given the first grade experience to develop.

By giving them the game time and experience, not only are we improving the quality of our club long term, but also the quality of the league and as such the 'product' GH has to sell to Sky and the people of Leeds.


I think this situation is replicated throughout the league

Quality.

You think relying on a 28 yar old Thurston would be detrimental, but believe a 28 year old Rob Burrow is not?



Thurston is exactly the sort of player that clubs should be looking to add when signing overseas. Burrow could only ever dream of been something close to Thurston.

no, i think you misunderstand me.

Given the choice between Thurston and Burrow i would go for Thurston. Dont get me wrong, if there was a chance he would come over i would be massively in favour of it.

What im saying is that relying on a 28 year old Thurston means in 3/4 years he will need to be replaced, we cant then rely on picking up a 28 year old Benji Marshall, and three years after that whoever the next big thing down under is.

It is very few and far between we can pick up players of this quality, so it would be detrimental to our long term prospects to be relying on churning through players of this quality because it isnt likely to happen, and before long we will be looking at players of level of Kylie or Delaney, and I believe we are more than capable of producing players ourselves who are better than players of their quality.

[iSee the various threads (Most notably "Rob Burrow to Cas"icon_wink.gif for me saying exactly the same thing.[/i

And for that 3 or 4 years, our 19 year old half back would be training 30 hours a week with someone the calibre of JT and would be now 23 and ready to replace him.

Case in point... Buderus/McShane.

and that would be how I would like it to work.

But would you be happy for JT to grace our team and for him to play to the same level that Buderus has over the past 2 years? Would you not prefer for a youngster to be brought in slightly early alongside one of our regulars who we can depend on and gain experience? Lets face it, JT wouldn't want to start missing a game here and there for the development of our club.

I understand that training with JT might be beneficial, but if there is no exposure to the game, would it not be a certified failure?

It would, Whilst it does benefit youngsters to be playing with, and training with quality players, they need first grade games.

I suppose this is where your succession planning comes in. Buderus/Diskin/Hood/McShane is a god example of this. Leeds are in a position where they feel they have two young players who have the potential to make quality players. McShane is 20 and will need first grade games now, Hood a couple of years younger. Leeds have made the decision to keep Buderus for a year or two to help transition McShane next year, who will then be in a position to transition Hood.

So who you have, and who you have as youngsters will impact the decisions on who you bring in and who you retain. The clubs who do this best will be the ones who are successful

That's about right, depends on what depth u have in particular position