Agree Hasbag, fans only ask for young players to be given at least a chance and especially when senior players are just not producing. When we had Savelio & Griffin out through injury & suspension etc and Lane just not offering much at all it’s only reasonable to suggest Staveley was given an opportunity given Severs was out for the season.

As for Fash & Cator neither of them are bad players but have been asked to do an awful lot and wonder what some expect them to do. When we had a squad with very little size and a 17 that was just out muscled almost every week they weren’t going to perform miracles.
Think Fash and Cator will be used a lot differently this year and both are good players to have within a squad.

Friendlys are irrelevant

Cos it's the same problems year on year

You seriously think we'll win a trophy with them 3 in our 17 ?

Who's mentioned anything about winning trophies? Most fans are realistic and balanced about our aspirations

Where did I say that?

As always you fail to comprehend basic English.

Probably not,but no one has said we will.

However we did win the cup with Green amd Bowden both playing and you have put the three above in the sane bracket in a previous post.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... t-28381970 Good job we got Nu Brown and not put all our eggs in the Tristan Sailor basket

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... t-28381970 Good job we got Nu Brown and not put all our eggs in the Tristan Sailor basket

Yup smart move from the club.

I think he'll be a great signing, the only thing that concerns me or puzzles me , is the fact that it is only for a year. I think the club may have been cautious due to his foot injury, or have someone else lined up for 2025, possibly Clifford , if he doesn't get game time at The Cowboys, which is probably likely, given that they have an origin six and Townsend, who is a high calibre seven. Either way, Brown is a current Kiwi international half or hooker and that is saying something, when you consider the talent they have at their disposal. I really think that we will surprise a few next year, if the side gels and that pack gets going. I know people have alluded to the fact that we won't win anything, but two favourable cup draws and Wembley is on the horizon. We are due some luck in that respect and if that happens, well who knows? I think Tindall will be a very good winger, he looks pacey and has a great step, we are blessed with depth at fullback and if Carlos is now fully fit again, he's still a very good centre and Scott was improving game on game last year. I like how we aren't talking up our chances, we will be underdogs in many games, but start the season with a bang against Rovers and it's there for the taking. Huddersfield have an immense squad, but they're either unable or unwilling to play to Watson's vision and have some big egos in that team, Salford will struggle I believe, Warrington - who knows and Leeds don't seem to have a lot buying into Smith's ideas , so the top six is achievable. We'd need a bit of luck but honestly, that is the best set of props we've had in ages and Pele could be unplayable, if he is fit enough. I am very optimistic and don't see us struggling this year.

Hopefully he will start well and we can extend it, he plays hooker and we use Carlos and Hoys spot for a 7 amd backrower. If Balmforth goes well, Brown could play 13.

Playing Devils advocate Nu might fancy his chances of 1 last shot in the NRL? Which is why he signed a 12 month deal. Although his age will count against him

Think the club are quietly hopeful that Clifford will return to the club
Clifford back at 7 with Brown at nine would be exciting.
Hoy has been a huge disappointment when fit and i would not be bothered if he returned to Australia

Doubt that, if he goes well he will sign another deal with the cowboys, too much of a gamble to hope he isn't successful.

I think Hoy showed last year he is a good player and if he can avoid those injuries think he will have a good year, but with Walker signed and Trueman, think he could be surplus to requirements.

I guess we also have to consider the fact that getting first team rugby in the NRL is a very lucrative business in a career that is pretty short term but the problem seems to be getting 'first team' rugby experience in the media spotlight that will see young players break through. The pool at second tier and junior level in Australia is massive. We openly admit to not going down the Marque player route, so the returns for any import aren't going to get near what they could get were they to get a regular spot in the NRL. That's fine for older players looking to extend their career or players that aren't consistently ever going to get a first team spot over there. Nu and his agent will have seen the exposure Clifford and a few others have got taking one year out in Super league and the opportunities that have opened up at home following it and it may actually be the players or his agents decision to edge their bets and insist on a year .

I wouldn't get your hopes up about Clifford returning. All his social media output is about how happy he is to be back in Australia

I wouldn't get your hopes up about Clifford returning. All his social media output is about how happy he is to be back in Australia

Agree think it's a non starter. I'd back him to displace Townsend this season too

You're probably right, but Townsend did have a great 2022- his 23 form dipped so , being on the wrong side of 30, they may look to Clifford as a longer term partner to Dearden, given that he will be hard to shift on his best form.

If Clifford came back, I'd hope it wouldn't be like Fonua where we all have fond memories of him and then second time round he fails to deliver

Interesting article from Matthew Shaw in Rugby League Live (re-printed in the HDM) concerning new quota rules about to be brought in. Subject to Home Office approval.

It would enable SL clubs to sign players from Nsw and Qld cup competitions. They need to be 24 or under and played 75% in a certain qualifying period.

He used Ronald Volkman and Tristan Sailor as examples of players who were linked with SL clubs but weren't able to obtain visas due to a lack of NRL appearances.

It will certainly enable clubs to sign players from a wider talent pool.

Clifford will most likely play

But Townsend is a good player been around a while would have him here deffo

Certainly a good move to help clubs in regards to overseas signings with the gulf between the NRL & SL the biggest it’s ever been in terms of the financial aspect which is only going to continue to grow.
It’s also good for SL as clubs will bd able to attract young players who want to make a mark in SL to get a gig in the NRL like Clifford rather than ones coming to top up their pensions.

Something needed to be done as the NRL pool is almost dried up.
As a knock on affect hopefully it could also raise the profile of SL a bit if the U.K. game can attract top young talent that can’t get any game time in first grade. May also benefit NRL clubs to work with SL clubs too.

I know some fans aren’t keen on seeing young players come over that may only be at their club for a year but for me it does help improve our game as a sport.

We should either of upped the cap to about 4m or scrap it all together

All its done is hold the game back

Other sports prize money is miles bigger than it was in 2000

Yet ours stayed roughly the same

Problem bang on about teams been in debt

But look how many teams in football are in debt ( enormous debt ) aswell

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... it-9014236 Abdul foe 2025? May as well start the rumours early

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... it-9014236 Abdul foe 2025? May as well start the rumours early

Weird move, leaves them with just May and Lewis, think something must have gone on.

I'm sure Peters was bigging him up before Christmas

I'd have Abdul back here, good player, just a bit injury prone.