[url=http://www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/news/5223/BRETT%20KEARNEY%20EXILESKearney to the exiles squad[/url

Fully, fully deserved after a superb start to the season. Now, do we all get voting and get him in the squad, or not, so he's available for us?



[url=http://wp.me/plxHx-3NRecognition for Kearney[/url

He's losing by a long way, and it's not really surprising.

He's been put in as an option at fullback, where the likes of Brett Hodgson & Brent Webb are also options.

Personally although it would be nice for him personally, I'd rather he not play and let him be fit and available for our game against Saints on the Sunday. He's the only one who's got a chance of playing in the match (unless there's a late call up for someone), whereas Saints will no doubt have at least Graham & Roby in the England team, which would mean they either don't play against us, or they'll be backing up and tired.

While I support the international game and I'll be going to the Exiles match, if the International can be played and it not affect my club, then even better.

And, I imagine Puletua has a pretty decent chance of featuring for the Exiles.

Now hes going to get injured in that game...

BK would be in for me but unfortunately will not get picked ahead of Hodgson!

I'm glad to see any Bulls player get some recognition for their ability and form. However, my view of the international game is that it's a pointless end of season holiday camp for English players and this game is just an extension of that and given the injuries we've had already this season, I'd rather that no Bradford player had to take the field any more times than the club needs him to.

Any improvement in the international side will take a good 10 if not 20 years to come to fruition as I don't see 17 English players across SL who could be considered world class. That's not to say that there aren't very good players in SL, but world class? Ellis and Sam Burgess are world class, this has been proved by the fact they were signed up by NRL clubs. The NRL is the pinnacle of the sport at club level and has the best players and the best coaches.

The Exiles is a fun little mid-season distraction, but given the RFL's lack of ability when it comes to marketing the game at any level means that there's going to be a fair number of empty seats.

This game just smacks of a made up game, the aussies consider it a joke and have refused to release Burgess, Ellis and Widdop. The "fan interaction" thing about letting the fans pick the team? What's that about? When Steve McNamara's team go for the 4 Nations will there be a poll for fans to pick the England team? Ofc not, that's a foolish idea.

This could be done as comparable event to State of Origin. But it has to be done properly and professionally.
A proper coach in charge, appointed and paid for by the RFL, who has full control of who gets called up to the squad and have it played over a 3 game series. That will give you a stronger team to face England, which means it becomes less of a joke and less of a meaningless game.

the only reason they let them go for the France game last year is because it was a test game. this game won't be recognised as a full international so they don't have to release them. I don't see why they should either.

Perhaps true but if you start it'll never get any closer to happening.

I know it's selfish but I hope Kearney doesn't get picked.....

a joke of a mid season knock-about isn't going to help matters.

if it was done as a serious and sensible series, a la origin, it might have some effect. but the way the rfl have set this one up? having fans vote on what players will be in the squad? (and btw, I'd not be massively surprised if certain players fail to be "fit" for the game"icon_wink.gif how can ANYONE take a side which that stipulation seriously?

How with an X-Factor style team be an improvement over giving the French an annual thrashing?

It's just the RFL throwing against a wall and seeing what sticks. Now, if the RFL were smart, they'd be on the phone to SL clubs and giving them offers for their season ticket holders for the game. Let's face it, season ticket holders in RL tend to be the ones who are most likely to attend additional games such as cup finals and internationals, so offering them a deal will improve the chances of them attending the game, and give the RFL the chance of building their own marketing database.

Sorry saw this after the other thread, as I said there the voting is only for 13 of the 22 man squad. Coach has 9 picks to make up for our strategic voting. Its still a gimmick but I can't see it effecting the strength of the team.

Looking at the players they've got to be more effective than the other home nations or France even if they have limited training time. If they approach it like the Barbarians games and just go out to throw the ball about and not worry about the score then it could be interesting.

I agree though until they give England friendlies proper time (Friday night of SL weekend is nonsense) and competition then they are of limited value but I guess my point was they have to start somewhere.

the RFL have to start somewhere, not surprised the French are a bit put out, I would have had a three way, England, European Baa Baas, and the Antipodean Exiles, give them a bit of time together and two games each, both play the Europeans first, which give McNamara much more information about players, combinations etc and a couple of decent games, one which they should win, the other ?????. Its a step in the direction to getting realistic about Englands chances, by playing tougher friendlies. The hype about the england side last tournament was in direct proportion to our performance. If I was an England player I would die for the chance to play against some of these guys.

Kearney losing in the polls and no Bulls players making it into the England Squad are great news. They can pick up to 3 exile players from any one club plus England players. That means theoretically Saints could have half a dozen players involved on the Friday night. We then play them on the Sunday at Home.

Apparently if any team has more than 5 players representing they are automtically awarded the points for their club game that weekend. They also get to sign 5 more Aussies on short contracts for the play offs & the option to kill the leading points scorers from the opposition in all subsequent games. It's a disgrace.

The RFL hate us.

nice one tigertot, you are indeed a free scoring winger

I understand why people would prefer not to have Bulls playing rep rugby. Many do consider international rugby league as a waste of time which is a shame. The international calendar in rugby union is the only think I'm slightly envious of and I can understand why it could be a factor in switching codes. It's an ambition of most players to play for their country (or the country their grandparents went on holiday). Either way it should be the pinnacle of any sport.

I'd personally love to see a few bullies playing as it 'should' mean that they are the best player in their positions in the country. The fact that we no longer have international reps other than for emerging nations only suggests one thing to me. And that's nothing to do with Mcnamara being the England coach. May have more of a bearing that he was the bulls coach though.

You mean he's trying to do us a favour? Or maybe he fell out with much of the squad last year?

And Sky Sports.

Don't forget other journalists and pundits. And the other clubs. And other fans.

And tribes as yet undiscovered by the modern world

I'd say more that the clubs had declined so much under his management that we no longer have any international class players. We have a few decent players but none that I'd pick in an England starting 17 (at the moment).