how did he end up in the nrl? was he ever at a sl club?

i've never heard of the lad till i watched him in the u20's grand final, thought he was mom.

CGD none really.
Its a massive step up to first grade and if England want to pick a Toyota Cup player in their squad it says they are desperate.
Plenty of young players shine in the lower grades never to make it at top level, there was a player called Shannon Walker with the Titans two years ago anyone know what happened to him?

He's playing Queensland Cup.

Just thinking of all the fullbacks in the NRL...

Billy Slater
Jarryd Hayne
Luke Pattern
Darius Boyde
Karmichael Hunt
Matthew Bowen
Brett Stewart
William Zillman.....

I mean....I'm struggling to think of a player this kid would push aside so easily.


Best the poms have not...but not quite NRL level yet. He might get some games on the wing for the Storm next year though.

I would suggest that Tony Smith do two things

1. Play a regular full back in the full back position (and regular player in every other spot too)

2. If a player has consistently failed to impress at international level, assume it will continue and give somebody else a chance to impress

The above points to one man in my mind and that's Shaun Briscoe

As for players from the NRL (or Toyota Cup) - maybe when they have proved themselves over a couple of seasons as Briscoe has... just a few months ago people were suggesting that Jordan Tansey was the nailed on England full back after two games for the Roosters first team!!

To be fair only idiots were suggesting that about Jordan Tansey.

I agree though, I'd rather see a bunch of new players completely fail for England know that they are not the ones that will turn things around than see the same old faces looking back from under the goal posts as Australia scored 38 points in the first half.

Then we have Shaun Briscoe

Richard Owen
Matt Blaymire

Briscoe to play Owen in the squad for me.

I would agree with that, tony smith doesnt.

Owen isn't in the squad.

Shaun Briscoe - Best fullback in the country.

Look, anyone thats not called Paul would be an improvement.


If they can walk as a brisk pace....BINGO....improvement!

Webb is better imo.

The daft thing is that Paul Wellens is still comfortably the best English fullback in Super League at club level.

Add in the fact we've got no wingers or centres either and it's looking as bad as ever.

If we had Davies, Hunte, Offiah, Newlove and Connolly we might keep them to 30.

I think you are right about Wellens being the best club full back (I wouldn't say comfortably but that's your prerogative)

The problem with international Rugby League is that it highlights an individuals weaknesses mercilessly and Wellens lack of pace has been exposed time and again (both in bringing the ball back from kicks and in defence). I don't think that Briscoe will be fond out the same, time will tell I suppose

As for the outside backs... I agree that centre is our problem position, wouldn't Newlove and Connolly be great!! In Fox, Hall and T Briscoe I think we have the wings who could do a job though

I disagree,
I no longer think Wellens is the best club full-back in super league.
Shaun Briscoe, Matt Blaymire & Richard Owen have at least been as good if not better than Paul Wellens this year

I'm not really arguing that Wellens is the best full back in the country (he may just be the full back for one of the two best teams... as is Webb)

The point is that even when he was by far the best full back in England, his weaknesses were exposed at international level - even though Briscoe may not be as dominant a club player as Wellens, he may be better internationally... he certainly deserves the chance to have a go

I would 100% agree with that

We're fine for wingers, especially for the future with Hall, Tom Briscoe and hopefully Shaun Ainscough out to prove that they're good international players in the next couple years

lee smith has been cleared by wasps to play for england should TS want him.

and as i expected, senior has all but made himself available as well

By playing Wellens your hoping a) the Aussies / Kiwis dont make many breaks and b) they kick from deep.

Everytime it comes to the international field Wellens is found out on the grounds that generally for GB / Eng the above doesn't happen.

I think Briscoe is the best shot we have but his one and one tackling has always being suspect for me.

if we want an good attacking FB i'd go with smith, even if he's not going to be playing league next year

His family emigrated to Brisbane.he played for King Cross arlfc at Halifax in the uk

Chris Mellings - good return full back

Who?