.....and how long have we been saying these things?!?! Shall i go back to the Full circle thread i started, something i didn't actually mention, that switching to Summer would help us 'catch' up with the Aussies, we were told as athletes they had an advantage because they played and trained in better conditions, that by our players doing the same, their core skills would improve etc, etc. Another part of switching which hasn't worked, the standard of the game over here is way lower than it was 25, 30 years ago. Where are the British players of the standard of Hanley, Schofield, Platt, Gregory, Edwards, Offiah, Lydon, Betts etc. Those players couldn't beat the Aussies in World Cups or in a 3 match series, yet they are far superior to the best of today. Of course i will edit all this if we do actually win the thing............

100 percent agree with this , we lack enough young British players, all our top teams are dominated by foreign imports , you’ve only to look at Leigh with 14 imports in their promotion squad. Skill qualities been replaced by regimentation, fitness and of course injuries. Think Danny Shorpe and Craig huby, current props are all biff and bosh - game was much more interesting in the days of Reilly handley etc

The move from 6 yards to 10 metres for the defensive line, completely changed the game and created a more "power" based game.
However, the 10 metres does also give a little more space and when you see what field has done at Wigan, you can surely, enjoy that level of skill.

We do view the past through rose tinted glasses and what we have currently, for me, is an improvement as a spectacle (apart from the odd game).

Mind you, when you look at how few genuinely world class half backs we have produced over here in the last 40/50 years, that is when it gets scary and as you say, the quick fix is to import an "Aussie". The lack of decent creative players is probably one of the main reasons our national side has not beaten the Aussies (apart from the occasional one-off result).
Even when there are decent young halves, they dont get time to develop.

Hanley was great, one of the best ever.....but it wasn't because he played in the mud.

Definitely rose tinted view of the past.
Best was awesome, but I bet you'll find 50 players in Premier League as fast as him now.
Of course he played in an era of heavier ball and defenders that were allowed to physically attack you but watching Haaland, he would be great in any era.
It's just different. One doesn't have to be better.

I never said Best was fast?! I said what he did skill wise on poor pitches was great, and questioned whether modern players could do the same. My whole argument was, Summer rugby has not raised the standards on the field, i'm still waiting for your response as to how the game has evolved. The MOS was Brodie Croft, probably about 20th in line to represent Australia, like i've said, British players are still as far behind the Aussies, if not more so, than they've ever been. I actually take back what i said as re. players now being 'fitter' as they seem to spend more time injured than actually playing!! They never got injured in the '90's you know!!!!!!!!!

Maybe IMG could do a scientific study as to why so many injured players, must be something to do with playing on hard grounds all the time........

I'd like to discuss but the issue is too big to explain and I'm too busy to get into it when we are starting with 'explain how the game has evolved'.
I agree there were more personalities in those days and there were some very skillful players. Let's leave the rest for another day unless anyone else wants to explain.