Sorry if this has been mentioned before cos I've not read the full thread but..................Surely, considering a game mid season is what the rfl want for the benefit of the international team, to let the coach form the basis of his squad, a week has got to be set aside for that to happen ! To take a couple of players from a selection of super league sides to play an international just seems a complete waste of time to me, it won't reflect on the coach's first choice squad anyway and the quality of opposition will not give him the slightest idea of where the team is competitively ! I personally would set one week aside for the game, play a probables v possibles game. That way the coach sees a full squad of 34 playing against each other, creat a lot of interest as they're all playing against their direct opposition for a place in the final squad, all in the same match for gods sake, seems obvious to me ! I could pick two sides that certainly would compete against each other but don't have the time now, maybe you guys and girls could come up with your own choices re the two opposing teams, should be interesting. Sorry if it's been mentioned before !!

Some of them couldn't cut it

Whilst I accept that the Australian domestic game is stronger than the English domestic game not enough people give credit to the different styles being the reason why some players flourish and others fail.

That's why some very successful Australian players who come to the super league cannot get to grips with the game over here and ultimately fail to make an impact. For the same reason some fringe first grade players from Australia can come to the UK and forge a very good career.

I agree with some of your thoughts.
There are many factors.
Lifestyle
Conditions, pitch, weather etc.
Some struggle from the pressure of being a regular player in the NRL to being the fans Messiah for their Super League Club.
Look at Brad Drew or Adrian Vowles, just average Joes in the NRL but found a new lease of life in the Super league.

Good players usually are good players, whether they give their all is another story in many cases.

I am not saying Clubs like Wigan or Leeds are not known.
I am saying that Super League barely gets a mention in Oz, Wigan is best known when the Kangaroos played them on tours in the eighties.
The bigger clubs are not revered in Australia in any way, maybe in NZ.
If a player was leaving the Storm or the Bronco's to join an English Club the first thought would be are they doubling your money?

I understand what you're saying Jonesy, but the reverse is also true.

The clubs in Australia and not revered over here in England, sure we know about them but the NRL is seen as a higher standard of rugby but lower standard of entertainment.

I think you do some of the players an injustice, while I agree that some players only come from the money there are other players will come to experience a different culture and the challenge of playing in a different style of competition, and the money.

I agree with that.
Berrigan is a good example of it.
I think if more players on the way up in their mid twenties went to Super League I would agree more.
Its always the players that are on the way down or never quiet got there with only two players I can think of that don't fit that criteria.
Lyon who was contract bound in the NRL
King who was offered a King's ransom apparently.
Still I agree with much of what you say.