looking at the pic of him with Stan in todays hdm it looks like he needs to do a good bit in the gym IMO before he'll be ready for SL.

Him and Nev Costigan can compare mud guts.

If it is the same pic as online, it's hard to say - loose fitting shirt and that.
Paniu looks quite slim for a second-rower, even a versatile one - looks more an out-and-out centre, at first glance.

Can they play for Gateshead?

They can't play for us, as the publically-available rules stand!

As I said on another thread Salford have proved that is no longer the case.

Agreed - but there's been no public confirmation from the RFL yet, which is a bit ridiculous.



Unless the announcement was whispered in a Red Hall broom cupboard, the non-fed limit is still officially 5.

Keating, Weyman, Costigan, Burns and Tuimavave fill our allowance. Maki and Paniu will make 7. As Anakin says, we 'know' the limit is going up, even though we haven't been told.

Returning to your first question, I [ithought[/i that non-fed players were excluded from dual-reg - but the rules change frequently, so even when I'm right it's usually temporary. [iToday's[/i answer/estimate is 'no'.

Thought et had played his last game for us? Anyhow judging by the photo I agree a lot of conditioning needs to be done.

he looks more likely to turn out for Hull Dockers than Hull KR lol.

Is it just me, or is Francis Paniu's hand massive?

I wonder if they're regretting it now?

Who, regretting what?

Who and why?

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viewtopic.php?f=2&t=560468&tsmp=1382509999

I guess it's in reference to there being a png team in the Queensland cup next year?

See Sheldon's thread on the vt.

If so, my first thought is probably not. Good for png though.
Any rough idea of the crowds or budgets of Q'land cup teams Cooper?

Edit - I guess accurately.

Queensland cup is a strong comp. Titans, Cowboys and Broncos run their reserves in Qld cup sides, and most believe it is just behind the NSW cup in standards.
It is officially a semi pro comp, but most teams would have players who are full time pros.

Air fares probably not a major problem then?

Port moresby played in the Queensland cup in 96 and 97, according to Wikipedia, so it's been done before.

You'd hope all the sponsors who are lining up will make the move a good financial one. The NRL should be able to find a few quid to help out.

they've only signed 1 year deals so could easily return there after next season

It's hard to know what the wage policy will be for PNG players in the qld cup.
Their costs will be high. They will have to go on regular flights to Brisbane and pay for hotels in a first world country, but their players will be living in a country where the average wage is about 30 pounds a week - so player payments of 20k a year would make them not only full time pros, but comparative millionaires.

All right Roopy.

Thanks for your corespondance from down under and thanks for Sandercock he's doing ok.

There's been plenty of good PNG players made it into the NRL and the players who come over hear have generally been a success. Do any of the NRL clubs scout there or is it just through the world cups they identify them?

Shame your play off run ended when Buderus went off. How did Costigan go talking of PNG players?

ps on Dobson, Andrew Johns with the ball, Dame Edna Everage without it.

The thing is that I would imagine they have decided to take a crack at the big leagues (SL is still one of the top 2 leagues in world RL obviously) over playing in an inferior comp.
It may not work out for them but there are 4 PNG based players at CP so it's not even like they are going to have no one to talk to or that each of them are going to be left to fend for themselves when trying to adjust to life away from PNG. Then add John Okul and Makali Aizue who also still live in Hull IIRC and it will probably be home from home in no time.

Clubs don't pick up a lot of PNG players because of our immigration laws. Getting a work visa from PNG is nearly impossible because the whole country would move over if it were easy. Players like Costigan, Lam, Mead etc all have Australian parents.
Australia PM selection play PNG once a year, so scouts have a good measure to judge their players.
Costigan had a good finals series.
I don't know if you ever saw Johns play. On his worst day he would run rings around Dobson.

He doesn't defend like Dame Edna either. His attacking style is similar to John's though. Good range of passing, takes the line on well, strong near the line and good kicking game. His game management can be a little excentric though.