I think we signed the wrong PNG centre!!

He won't be coming up against a team with that many world class players next year though.
NZ would have done the same to any club team in SL today. Having said that I think most could have beaten PNG.

One way or another 2011 will be a "transition year"; many of the players to be at WT in 2011 may not be there in 2012, for better or worse.
That's not to say we can use the "transition year" as an excuse, TBF knowing JK that would never even come into the equation. He (like us) will have high expectations for 2011 & will be desperate to put the record straight- something I think he excels in- we all know of the Steve'o articles going up on walls!

I for one am already buckled in the roller-coaster, waiting impatiently for it to begin again!

Presumably we shouldn't be looking to sign any of the England 3/4 line then aswell?!?!

I see your point, of course the quality is outstanding with regards to the kiwi threequarters. It was just an opinion, as I geniunely think that Menzie Yere is the better player. Granted that opinion goes on around 8 championship games and the internationals.

Agree that Yere is ready for SL - a really exciting player - but not unhappy with JJP signing.

As for SWC's comments that 2011 is a transition year - it sure is - but rather than it being a case of mass changes for 2012 (supposing we get our licence) I think the challenge is there for the mass ranks of young English talent we now have at the club to stake their claims to places in the squad for the coming years. We have the nucleus of a squad that could remain together for several years to come at the club and, with a minimal addition of genuine quality players, we could be a very competitive squad in 12/24 months time - when this crop have had time to gain some experience.

Genuinely excited about seeing these young ones earn their spurrs and watching them learn their trade in out colours - even allowing for the fact that there will be pit-falls along the way!

It's hard for any of the png players to look good, they have been blown away in both games.
It's been 160 minutes of panic/damage limitation rugby against a tidal wave of quick powerful well drilled well executed rugby, they may look better next week?

Agreed. The lads from Wigan look of very good pedigree and when you think of how much Murphy has improved under Kear it bodes well for them. The same applies to players like Annakin, Johnson, Mariano, who I expect to blossom under Kear. Fergy is another player who (despite having a some what "off" season) I expect to come back with a bang. Let's not forget he's an out and out second rower, who naturally mature later- Anyone who doubts that need only look at Morro! Let's just hope he sticks around!

I think with a quality scrum half we could have a very competitive squad, that with the right guidance would have the potential to be awesome in a few years.

if you think anyone would blossom under kear, you are seriously not on this planet,

he looks skinny to me,he doesnt look like the player whos gonna make breaks so hes gonna have to hope others create him some space, our backs look on paper the worst at the club for years

I don't even think you need to go back more than one year to find a worse set of backs!



This lot look a lot better to me - but the proof is somewhere in the pudding!

I thought he looked lightweight too. The other centre looked good over both the aussie and nz tests.

Yep and yep.

to be fair, id look at him next week against the type of players he will be up against next year. not the aussie and new zealand players who will be unlikely to face.

Another factor to take into consideration is that JJP has been out of the game for quite a while and cannot be match fit.

true measure of this lads potential will be next week .... playing against superleague mediocrity for the wooden spoon

We can only hope that one day soon the board see sense and finally give you the position of head coach, such is yor expertise. It's a position you richly deserve.

True I don't remember you winning two Challenge cups, saving us from relegation, getting us a top 8 finish and a Ccup semi final or insuring that at no point in the last four years have we been anywhere near a relegation place. Nor do I remember you doing it on zero budget, and with the background of numerous unfortunate and tragic happenings way beyond your control.

Still these are mere trifles, you are the man, your credentials are beyond reproach.

Spot on

Quality post. I still believe we have the best coach available to us, who in reality has had one bad half season since he came to the club. And if he had been able keep hold of three of his best players, I don't think anyone on here would be calling for his head. It was only a few months back we were all begging him not to take the England job, and he hasn't become a bad coach over night.

I don't question what he has done for us over the years he has been coach, but I do question his selection policy and some of his signings/game plans for last year and also his loyalty to the club (he is only still here cause Catalans would not pay compensation).

Lets see what sort of performances are produced next season and how the yonger lads develop under his coaching. I am not expecting much because the game has moved on and JK's tactics haven't

Quote ="Tricky2309" I don't question what he has done for us over the years he has been coach, but I do question his selection policy and some of his signings/game plans for last year and also his loyalty to the club (he is only still here cause Catalans would not pay compensation). Lets see what sort of performances are produced next season and how the yonger lads develop under his coaching. I am not expecting much because the game has moved on and JK's tactics haven't'" Wayne Bennett use's the same tactics. People might find it boring but it win's games if you stick to the game plan. www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/st-g ... 16yhy.html

Quote ="Tricky2309" I don't question what he has done for us over the years he has been coach, but I do question his selection policy and some of his signings/game plans for last year and also his loyalty to the club (he is only still here cause Catalans would not pay compensation). Lets see what sort of performances are produced next season and how the yonger lads develop under his coaching. I am not expecting much because the game has moved on and JK's tactics haven't'" Wayne Bennett use's the same tactics. People might find it boring but it win's games if you stick to the game plan. www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/st-g ... 16yhy.html