Have to agree completely. And it speaks volumes that we feel we would rather fly an untried kid half way round the world rather than be able to trust a homegrown player. Yes BS is probably a good judge but there really are no guarantees here. He could be the next Paul Aiton, but he could also be the next Albert Talipeau. It's a sad indictment on the british game.

Apparently Talipeau went on the play for Samoa in the world cup after he left us, so he can't have been that bad. Although I can hardly remember him playing

It's not really like for like though. In aus /nz rugby league or union is the number one sport

This is what the juniors dream of playing and representing their country at In the UK, the top athletes head toward football, rugby union , athletics,cricket Etc. rugby league is a long way down the list of potential career paths for talented sportsmen of the modern era .

Ha, what a character he was! I remember we were playing at Salford, had a slim lead and they had us under the cosh for what seems ages. I turned to my pal and said we need a fight here to stop Salford's momentum, up steps Talipeau throwing bombs (prob not bombs, more likely pushing and shoving) and we ended up winning.

Sorry but to me that’s just not right - the sports equivalent to business speak.

If we were talking about finding the next James Roby or Cameron Smith I’d agree. However we are talking about a run of the mill hard tackling No9 to tighten up the defence. I’m talink squad players, journeymen not star players. Thirty years ago these players were ten a penny around here and RL if anything was even further down the pecking order.

There is simply no excuse and those running the game and those coaching at all levels really need to take a long hard look at themselves.

Phil Gould summed up our problem when commenting on Ryan Atkinsons disastrous defensive performance against Australia. His fellow commentators where stating that Atkinsons couldn’t or wouldn’t tackle.

Gould responded by stating that the kid could tackle and was brave enough it was simply that he didn’t know how to play RL properly!

There lays our problem, young players spend far to much time bulking up in the gym and doing physical training, when IMHO any player under 18 shouldn’t be anywhere near a gym unless it’s in their own time. Training at that age should be based around skills, tag rugby and specialist positional training with a little bit of contact training at the end to keep them sharp.

If a player feels the need to bulk up I don’t blame them but it has to be off their own back - it’s like any form of apprenticeship/Qualification a lot of it has to be self motivation - you have to earn the right to be paid for pumping iron and you do that by learning your craft.

I thought we had signed a hard tackling no.9 and he goes by the name of Stuart Howarth?! I'm sure, actually quoting MC he said he would hopefully tighten up the middle in defence. I can't believe the club only opened negotiations with Sio after Howarth got injured on Sunday? So like we all know, McShane or Godinet will be probably leaving at some point.

I partly agree with that, but it's become a bit of an arms race - players are so bulked up and heavily muscled these days that those who aren't, are at an immediate disadvantage in the all-important ruck/collision area; a good big un will always beat a good little un!

On the subject of Sio - I also agree - it's a sad indictment of the parlous state of the club, and the game, that we have to fly this kid halfway round the world to plug a gap in the squad; and that strategy has hardly proved successful for us in recent years - for every Paul Aiton, there are half a dozen abject failures.

we had a decent hooker 2 seasons ago he couldnt get a game then agar got rid of him andy ellis

So true, I know my own son was victim to this - but there needs to be a way back in for physical late developers - he is now doing very well in Union which was the last thing either of us wanted. Also many (not all I know) of these South sea islanders in particular are born men which gives them a huge advantage and a real chance to work on their skill sets. However Aussies are fairly similar to us and seem to get it about right.

I really don't know the answer but I reckon by now we all know the question. Oh and I put about 99% of the blame on SL clubs/RFL and the rest on the occasional buffoon you come across in the junior game - but then at least the buffoon is doing it for free in his own time.

No we don't know that, you just think you do by adding 2+2 to make 5.

If Smith turns it round who knows, if he doesn't nobody will be staying.

May I ask how do you know if Smith doesn't turn it round that nobody will be staying???

Howarth, Crowther,Jowitt and Johnstone would still be at the club...

Why do people think that there isn't enough time during a players week for both skills acquisition, technical/tactical and strength & conditioning

The biggest issue is the lack of technical and skills coaching from the early ages right through to the point where a pro club becomes involved.

Too many community coaches are only interested in winning every game and don't consider the development of their players. That means even the best kids reach Scholarship and the coaches have to address the competency of their basic core skills and tactical understanding before any form of advanced coaching can begin.

It's a problem from time immemorial and holds the game back

Well I have to disagree with you about coaching in the past.
I coached throughout the 70's/8O's and early 90's.
I certainly coached how to tackle head on/side on etc.
How to receive and carry the ball, how and when to fend and change ball carrying arm.
How to pass accurately from ground , static and on the run often using a hoop or goal post to hit.
It is not a problem from time immemorial or we would not have produced past legends of the game who had all the skills.

It is a problem and always has been but more so now than ever!

Notice I said too many coaches and not all, I know there are some excellent coaches who develop the skills of their players but unfortunately they're the exception and not the rule.

Going back to the 60s 70s and 80s, kids played out and went to any decent sized grassed area to have a game of Rugby, football, cricket or whatever. You had kids of 6yrs playing against kids of 16yrs and they learnt how to catch pass tackle evade etc..
For that reason you still got lads who were amazing players, especially those who also played for Eastmoor or Sharlston or any other community club.

That hardly happens at all today which means the skill set of many (not all) kids at 15 and 16 is nowhere near developed enough.

In one capacity or another, I've been part of and worked in youth rugby since 1975 and the problem has always been there.

Officially announced by club on website - 18 month contract www.wakefieldwildcats.co.uk/news ... o-to-squad

Officially announced by club on website - 18 month contract www.wakefieldwildcats.co.uk/news ... o-to-squad

That number 1, I would expect another 2 before our next match.

Like the kit he,s wearing, add a bit of red here and there and we have our strip for next year.

More players to be signed. Hopefully one will be a centre.... www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/sport ... -1-7322077

More players to be signed. Hopefully one will be a centre.... www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/sport ... -1-7322077

According to YEP Mcshane and Washbrook have already signed for Hull.