Re: Sam Burgess : Thu Dec 04, 2014 12:58 am  

I've said before that RU is making the same mistake RL clubs used to make - signing 'big name' RL players rather than looking for RL players who fit more naturally in RU.

Remember when RL clubs wasted money signing the likes of Stu Evans and Dai Young, in an era when it was clear that RU props were already completely unsuited to RL?

Andy Farrell, Henry Paul (and hopefully Sam Burgess) were players that were clearly outstanding RL players, but if you were after RL players for RU none of them would have been signed. Wingers and centres are the easiest fit, as they were when RL was doing the poaching. Iestyn Harris was clearly a good 'rugby' player, and had he gone a few years before he did would probably have been sensational in RU, but he's almost the exception that proves the rule.

Even wingers should be looked at carefully. Wendell Sailor was in many ways the perfect RL winger - strong, happy to act as an extra forward, reasonably quick. But he really struggled with RU where a lot of his skill (notably running the ball back) wasn't required. Tuqiri was a less dominant RL winger but made a much better job of RU, as did Matt Rogers.

Whilst I'm unhappy Burgess has moved, if he fails to make a real impact (which is quite possible IMO), then hopefully it will discourage more poaching. I couldn't care less if that means the likes of Stephen Jones have more 'evdence' to diss RL players.

BTW, I used to watch Headingley play before I started watching Leeds. The term 'one man and his dog' springs to mind when remembering the crowds, even when they had England international Peter Winterbottom playing for them.

Re: Sam Burgess : Thu Dec 04, 2014 8:15 am  

Middleton_Loiner wrote:

How's your Trophy Cabinet these days?

Good come back. All your own work?

Re: Sam Burgess : Thu Dec 04, 2014 9:06 am  

Clive Woodward's take on SB's chances for the union WC. Pretty much spot on, I'd say. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... d-Cup.html

Clive Woodward's take on SB's chances for the union WC. Pretty much spot on, I'd say. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... d-Cup.html

Re: Sam Burgess : Thu Dec 04, 2014 10:42 am  

tigertot wrote:

Good come back. All your own work?

I had alot of "No Trophy at Castleford" material to work with

Re: Sam Burgess : Fri Dec 05, 2014 4:36 pm  

Clearwing wrote: Clive Woodward's take on SB's chances for the union WC. Pretty much spot on, I'd say. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... d-Cup.html I agree with him in what is pretty much a common sense summary of sams chances at making the WC.i have no doubt he will be fast tracked into the squad personal opinion, and will more than likely be used off the bench for the last 10 to 15 minutes of games when England are under the pump as a throw of the dice.

Clearwing wrote: Clive Woodward's take on SB's chances for the union WC. Pretty much spot on, I'd say. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... d-Cup.html I agree with him in what is pretty much a common sense summary of sams chances at making the WC.i have no doubt he will be fast tracked into the squad personal opinion, and will more than likely be used off the bench for the last 10 to 15 minutes of games when England are under the pump as a throw of the dice.

Re: Sam Burgess : Fri Dec 05, 2014 7:44 pm  

Interesting article on how Kyle Eastmond has developed into one of the best at the breakdown and clear out and will be a model for Burgess to follow. Looks like Sam is in good hands at Bath http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/11269577/How-Kyle-Eastmond-set-the-blueprint-for-Sam-Burgess.html

Interesting article on how Kyle Eastmond has developed into one of the best at the breakdown and clear out and will be a model for Burgess to follow. Looks like Sam is in good hands at Bath http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/11269577/How-Kyle-Eastmond-set-the-blueprint-for-Sam-Burgess.html