When he played for us we used to bring on a replacement hooker but Josh used to stay on more often than not and play SR

When Baptiste has been fit he's been rotated into a roaming centre field role. Tell you what, for a guy who's not so big Hodgson doesn't mind running the ball at big men.

Always thought he was underrated at Hull KR, at first by the rovers supporters then by opposition supporters.. When he came from Hull, his first couple of seasons was steady but there were a lot of supporters who used to slate him(No one will admit to that now though). Always ran at the big men and had a knack at spotting a gap from dummy half (like any good hooker should). Would have loved to have kept him at Rovers and i'm really happy that he is playing so well in Australia.

How are the 3 Burgii at Souths getting on? I don't follow the NRL closely enough, but last I read, none of them are playing that well this year? I assume only Sam likely to make the 4N squad?

ATM Cam Smith is the only hooker in the world better than Hodgson. He's got to be the first name on Bennett's team sheet.

Burgess' have been ordinary this year. Sam's trying, but he looks completely knackered and in need of a rest. They want to offload Tom which says it all, and George is way down on form compared to last year.

Burgesses have been crappie most of the year. With ball retention being the biggest issue. Sam especially has been very loose with the ball on the ground.

The last game golden point loss was the best I've seen Sam play this year.

I don't remember him getting slated by the fans he was back up hooker at first with him been a young kid when he came but he was a stand out player for at least the last 3 seasons He played for us

FYI.

Wayne Bennett called all the English NRL based players together for a chat and a meeting a couple of months ago.

How about Cooper & Graham?

He was getting slated by some fans the season after Ben fisher left us. When Blake Green was out because of the blood clot he did some work for Hull KR TV. He used to do interviews with players and asking questions which fans put forward via social media. There were some negative questions asked about the way Hodgson played which he an Green shrugged off but you could tell he was annoyed by them. There are probably some old posts on here or the other forum where people have slated him also. I'm not making it up and I have a good memory if I say so myself.

Cooper looks a very solid NRL forward nowadays. Graham is probably less of a 'star' than he was a few years ago, but that's mainly because the Dogs have stopped trying to use him as a major playmaker. It worked for a year but once other sides worked it out the Dogs have reverted to using the halfbacks again. Graham does however make a lot of yards and tackles and leads from the front.

As for the Burgii - Sam really looks like he needs a rest followed by an off season focused on rebuilding his power. Tom has been so-so and George has barley played through injury.

the biggest worry for England ATM is Widdopp. He just looks awful. How much is down to him and how much down to playing in an awful team under a poor coach isn't clear, but he really looks like the 2016 version of Ben Walker - looks the part, kicks goals but creates precisely nothing.

That's the current England scrum half's job.

Widdop class today.

He was better today; but I'd certainly not say class. He actually played better in a beaten side last week. Unfortunately though, these 2 half decent performances have followed 10 weeks of absolute anonymous gash. These last 2 weeks have been his best of the year, hopefully the upward trend continues and he's firing come the 4 Nations - I highly doubt it though, and fully expect a revert back to bang average for the next few weeks.

Alternatively you've invested far to much to give him any merited credit.
Thought he was vey good in most aspects yesterday.

Step forward Matty smith

Widdop could win the Dally M and superted still wouldn't rate him

Regards

King James

I think I can spot the flaw in your argument...

Budgie had a great game on Saturday for South Sydney. He scored two classy tries and nearly a third. He was lauded by the commentators as a quality English winger, albeit a pasty faced one. He showed the skill necessary to lift a Super League side, which is why he will shine on his return to wobbly Wigan.

Who is this 'Budgie' you speak of?... a person?, surely you wouldn't let your standards stoop to these depths

Budgerigar.

I am referring to the estimable Joseph Burgess, aka "Budgie," the former and soon to be again Wigan winger, who was released by the Sydney Roosters and who is now a dynamic and much loved presence in the South Sydney Rabbitohs team.

I watched that game last night. Burgess scored two good tries, looked more confident and held up OK in defence, in particular on one occasion doing well to escape his own in-goal after a shrewd attacking kick. Hardly got a pass in the second half, though, and blotted his copy-book a little with a wild Hail-Mary forward pass, but that was his only error, and I'm sure he feels much better about his performances now. And, to be fair, I've been slagging the Rabbitohs off all season, but they did look much-improved all over the park in every area, especially their attack. If Reynolds is a long-term casualty,though, obviously they will miss him.

Not an English star [iper se[/i, but of course I was also interested to watch Tommy Leuluai for the Warriors, as he's on his way back to Wigan. Another very solid performance, alternating between the halves and dummy half. Led the direction of attack well, always prepared on occasion to take the defensive line on himself, and set up a try when one of his trademark big hits dislodged the ball and gave his side possession yards from the opposing line.

Thanks to Samuel, George, Thomas, and Joseph, the name Burgess has become synonymous with British quality in Australian rugby league circles. Rather like the name Rolls Royce.

A future player with the family name Burgess would get special attention if he ever sought a position in the NRL in the future.

It's a pity all the burgess brothers have been crap this season