liam briscoe in the england academy to play against australia.what a loss for us.

Luke

And to put it into prospective, Tommy Lee made the same at his age and ripped to Ozzies apart

Would be remiss not to mention that Hull's James Cunningham is also part of the international squad.

Good luck to them.

And Craig Hall made Isreal Folau look a mug at the same age when they played.

Craig Hall held his own with a certain Israel Folau.

That's where the problem is as at Junior & Academy level the English lads hold are more than a match for the Aussies but from then onwards its all downhill as there seems to be no development of them and very few that shows signs at that level make it like the Aussies do.

Is this because the clubs in the NRL all train with the same systems through junior & academy levels & first team level? When they get an injury/suspension in the 17 they then draught in a youngster for the position needed and play them rather than moving others in the 17 around to make do?

For me we are producing the talent at the lower level but not harnessing it as they get older.

you are bang on, and the problem is that franchising was brought in to stop it happening, but the idiot coaches in the game are too scared to do it, so they end up rotating the senior players and marginalising the youngsters (if even considering them at all)

I am much more hopeful for next season, Gentle will hopefully give some of the younger lads a chance and not rely on the old war horses, the signings of Martin/Aspinwall and Burnett have tempered my optimism somewhat,a coupd of potential blocking players, but we'll see.

On the Hall/Folau thing - Hall is a year older and in junior rugby a year can be a big deal.

My vague perception has been when England Academy play Australia Institute of Sport etc, is that we have an age advantage to even things up a bit. It may be complete rubbish and I'm happy to accept correction!

Also, not sure if this is right....but don't they have several Australian national teams and not one that is simply the best 17 at each age group. Oz school boys are those still in education isn't it?

well done james cunningham.at the time of my post,i didn`t know you had been included in the england academy .all the best to you.

Just read in the rl papers that Cunningham was pretty much man of the match & that Briscoe didn't make the 17. Anybody go to this game? Was it any good? Also is Cunningham part of the 1st team yet?

Quote ="K-Diddy"Just read in the rl papers that Cunningham was pretty much man of the match & that Briscoe didn't make the 17. Anybody go to this game? Was it any good? Also is Cunningham part of the 1st team yet?'" www.hullfc.com/newsarticle.aspx? ... m=facebook

Quote ="K-Diddy"Just read in the rl papers that Cunningham was pretty much man of the match & that Briscoe didn't make the 17. Anybody go to this game? Was it any good? Also is Cunningham part of the 1st team yet?'" www.hullfc.com/newsarticle.aspx? ... m=facebook

Cheers Wolfie

I've got it from a very reliable source that the re-signing of Mike Burnett (who IS a good player) has actually brought money into the club. Even after paying his wage


Aspinwall has to prove himself, but I reckon he will do the same as Shayne McMenemy did. I remember a few folk raised their eyebrows when we got him on the books....... But what a workhorse he turned out to be!