Saints need to keep hold of Eastmond at all costs because imo he will be one of the worlds best players within the next few years.

Ah, *Devil's Advocate mode* - would that be the "Club is bigger than the man" argument?

possibly, i think Eastmond may have it in his temperament to maybe want too much money in the end for any rugby league club to afford and could end up in union!! Is it just innevitable that he will? It seems to be the sad fact at the moment that a lot of our potentially world class backs are being hand picked by union. I don't think its fair, surely RL must be able to sort out some sort of rule?

This is quite true but I'll always remember Leon Pryce at a Fans Forum when asked about rumours re: joining Union and he said "At the end of the day a Rugby Players career isn't aslong as a working career, so I need to get as much money as possible while I can play, I myself have a family and home to think about"

Which I though was very noble of him to actually tell the truth really...

However something must be done to protect young talent in Rugby League in this country

Yeah i agree it is totally up to the RL to sort this problem out and financially reward our best players for being at the top of their profession, this is not just a problem in England either though, with some of the
aussies/NZ great players leaving the NRL such as Sonny Bill Williams, Mark Gasnier.

There is also this huge lure of the Japanese competition where the money is massive! Although Benji Marshall did reject a mega money move to remain with the West Tigers...

I think the only problem is League isn't as big as Union so it'll be difficult matching them £ for £, there is also the lure of a huge International calender with regular tours and comps. Union have the Heineken Cup so it may not all be about the money... possibly, although it most likely is.

I've only spoken to him once and to be honest he still comes across as a young man at the start of his career and rather humble. But that's only my opinion hon.

is completely wrong.

name one (potentially) world class back who has gone to Union - ever?

Lee Smith - good player, not world class.
Karl Pryce - waste of space
Chris Ashton - arrogant prick who has acheieved exactly nothing in his career.

You'd think they'd learn their lesson after Panface wouldn't you?

the key word being potentially

Lee Smith - could in a few years have been a world class rl player

Chev Walker - Before he left Leeds was really starting to look the part and if he hadnt gone to RU i think he would be genuinly world class by now

Jason Robinson - Simply the best signing ru have ever made, and was 1 of the best wingers in world rugby league before he left

Iestyn Harris - was by far best player in SL before he left to play for Wales

Henry Paul - also one of the best players to ever play SL in his day

and im sorry to say that the next 1 will be Kyle Eastmond, if not this time it will be a couple of years down thw line.

Some people just cannot see the facts when theyre staring them in the face

Mark Gasnier , Sonny Bill Williams

say no more

you know nothing

Sonny Bill isn't a back



Gasnier wasn't potentially world class he was world class

Also I never knew Luke Rooney had moved to Union until last week

Sonny Bill Williams played quite a lot of his rugby for Canterbury at centre,and plays at centre for Toulon,

He's that good he could play anywhere.

Yeah Luke Rooney i forgot about him, hasnt Karmicheal Hunt gone also?
the list is endless

spot on sire

he will? excellent news

Quote ="RLfan7"Sonny Bill Williams played quite a lot of his rugby for Canterbury at centre,and plays at centre for Toulon, He's that good he could play anywhere. Yeah Luke Rooney i forgot about him, hasnt Karmicheal Hunt gone also? the list is endless'" www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 11,00.html Yep Hunts gone too!

Quote ="RLfan7"Sonny Bill Williams played quite a lot of his rugby for Canterbury at centre,and plays at centre for Toulon, He's that good he could play anywhere. Yeah Luke Rooney i forgot about him, hasnt Karmicheal Hunt gone also? the list is endless'" www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 11,00.html Yep Hunts gone too!

I just hope to god we can keep hold of Kyle...

Love seeing him run as first or second receiver from a scrum base always seems to make great yards!

Andy Farrell played centre for England RU in a world cup - that doesnt make him a back.

He's electric on the ball and i think he's a cross between Robinson and Hanley.

His pace and footwork like robinson and his physique and strength to me is a lot like hanleys.

Plus the ability to make a break from nothing, something we've lacked in recent times... Salford away when he broke and passed to Ellis, Warrington away to set up Wellens and Wigan home for the winning try spring to mind!

you are right SBW he was mainly loose forward or second row but actually played some rugby for canterbury in the centre.

anyway my point was that we need to keep our own RL grown players in the game.

To be honest i think you're backtracking a bit now because you know you were wrong, clinging onto that last bit of hope

I've praised Eastmond for years on here, but I think that is getting a little too far fetched.

Potentially!!

He has a long way to go to get anywhere near as good as them but having seen Hanley and Robinson when they first came through i believe they weren't any better than him at his age!!

Does he? When ever I turn over to watch Toulon on ESPN he's never playing. Has he played a game for them this year?

What a waste.

I doubt his bank manager sees it that way.