Then they should be the one to decide how much they can or cant afford. Not some arbitrary number that bears no relation to their financial position.

You should pay him as much as you think he is worth, you have no obligation to pay him the earth, but what you pay him shouldnt be to the detriment of your future squad.

England losing another of their brightest young stars, its ok, we will just bring through more apparently.

I mean its not like the cupboards already bare and we are living of scraps like Blake Green or an old Brett Finch is it. I mean its not like a completely shot Paul Deacon can still get a game at a top club, or players like Jarrod Sammut or Michael Witt have torn up this league because we have such a poor quality of halfback.

Players like Eastmond are ten a penny, and it is certainly in the games best interest that we lose a player like him than a club which cant be trusted to not run itself in the ground.

There is no place in SL for over the hill 33 year old journeyman Aussies like Ben Cross or never done anything, mediocre players like Weller Hauraki. It's not as if they could get a game at former champions Leeds is it?

Smokey the Kipperman, I salute you!

Maybe have a look at what links the players i mentioned, then maybe it will sink in why Ben Cross and Weller Hauraki wouldnt be good examples

But that would have been good examples, and in fact wouldnt have made sense in the context of the point i was making.

But well done on jumping in with both feet before actually bothering the understand,

Classic Bill.

None of them play for Leeds?

Classic Kipperman selectivity meaning you are able to have a dig at other clubs while former champions Leeds remain squeeky clean?

Any of those?

None of them play for Warrington either.

What point did you think i was making? you have obviously got it wrong so tell me what you have invented in your head and i can point out where for you and you wont be as confused anymore.

Whilst it’ll be disappointing to see Eastmond to go before he gets a good run at England RL, someone else will soon take his place and won’t be as injury prone hopefully. SBW switched codes and I still like watching him play and I’m sure I could still say the same for Easmond if he decides to switch codes.

Also I think that the ageist brigade should give it a rest. If you like a league where everyone’s under 20 then I recommend that you go watch Junior rugby league and get an education of the game whilst you’re at it. Not every single player can be a superstar in the team – you need to have your stable players as well. I bet there are half a dozen threads calling These Leeds and Wigan players rubbish because of technicalities like age and where they come from.

Trophies talk, bullsh[ii[/it theory’s walk..

So you're saying it was classic Kipperman selectivity then? Good, at least we got a straight answer out of you for once.

That's that sorted then.

selectivity of what?

What were you thinking they were examples of and why are you now desperately avoiding saying it?

New players, like you said, always do come through. Guys like SBW, Ashton & Gasnier leave and new exciting talents replace them.

But surly the game would be in a much stronger position if we kept the exisiting stars and still produced new blood. I'd have loved to seen SBW in this current NZ side battling against players like Blair for a spot. Or Gasnier in his prime going up against Inglis over a good few origin series.

I'd have loved to have seen Ashton in the current Wigan side. That probably would have ended Gouldings Wigan career but a player like Goulding would easily have found a spot at another club and thus pushing out a mediocre player there. That's how you get a strong league and stop depending on NRL imports.

gonna be sad news if eastmond joins Bath. If we lose one of our best players at such a young age I think it gives out such a bad message. If Super Leage is gonna lose such a talent then lets lose him to the NRL so at least he is still in our game.

It is like saying "All of Super League's best players are available for Rugby Union whenever you want"

Martin Offiah is probably not helping as I can predict he is telling young Kyle to jump over to the darkside.

To be fair to Martin Offiah his involvement as Kyle Eastmond's agent ended just after he signed his latest St Helens contract. Offiah hasn't been his agent for some time now.

cool, I never knew that. Sorry Martin if you are reading

Saints have some very rich men on the board, brought on by McManus.

NAh, NRL is around the $5million mark (with various bits and bobs) or approx 3.2million pounds

Everyone knows he'll be wasted in yawnion, but have an easier life on the pitch, himself included.

On both occasions he gets the ball he will be told to hoof the ball into row z rather than run with the ball.
He will be told to do that stupid dive over the line when he scores.
People will think he's a good rugby player because he kicks goals.
He won't have to tackle anyone.
He won't get injured every time he runs on the pitch like he does in league.

I've also got a feeling he's a bit soft too.

Guess what, he wont have to put up with idiots like you either.

Ha ha. My heart bleeds. Are you going to construct an arguement on what I said or just make comments on me personally?

Well said jonny,There's no denying he has all the talent to be a top RL player.
If he goes to union all that talent will go to waste,it would be such a pity if he does go to the dark side.

Behave yourself,what jonny has said is spot on.

I just hope Saints line their pockets and Bath skint themselves if he does go.

Gasnier is back in rugby league and even won a grand final last year!



First of all SBW would walk into this current NZ side as he’s one of the most exciting talents whatever code he’s in. Adam Blair doesn’t come close when it to come to the playing ability of SBW.

Secondly I think that it’s a great shame that Ashton left rugby league. However if he wanted international rugby then he was wasted in league. You have a look at the recent England RU performances and we could only dream of playing like that.

Finally I think your ‘[igame would be in a much stronger position if[/i' argument doesn’t make too much sense considering the game has mostly stayed the same since such players have departed for union. I personally think that Rugby League and Rugby Union are going to stay pretty much the same from now on. We’ll get some of their stars and they’ll get some of ours. Either way the balance is just about right in the end.

www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugb ... 74094.html

www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugb ... 74094.html

If Eastmond or any other RL talent wish to move to the dark side then they will go, for whatever reason, they will go. The game should do nothing special to attempt to retain them and especially should reject any demands for central contracts, that way lies being held to ransom. There are a number of valuations of Eastmond's talent but only two have any relevance: the value St Helens have and the value Eastmond has.

I'd like to see him stay in the game but not as some sort of special case. It's not too many years ago our sport was regularly taking RU stars out of their own back yard. It happens, get over it