Re: British players in the NRL: how are they doing? : Wed Apr 19, 2017 1:41 pm  

Don't forget St George have a much improved pack this year. Vaughan is arguably the stand-out prop of the competition so far and getting on a roll obviously helps the halves out, but Widdop has been having a great year so far.

Sarginson on the other hand had an absolute shocker last weekend and given the strength the Titans have in the centres when fit, he could have a job getting back into the first team...

Re: British players in the NRL: how are they doing? : Wed Apr 19, 2017 11:19 pm  

Sarginson's first game after a foot injury though, he'll get more time.

Re: British players in the NRL: how are they doing? : Wed Apr 19, 2017 11:59 pm  

I was at the Broncos-Titans game and Sargison was terrible in the first half, and got taken off immediately after dropping a pass that led to a try (classically looking at the tacklers not the ball). That wasn't long after a really poor effort tackling Boyd where he just seemed to let him go. He came back on later and was clearly told to dig in, as he had a fair few runs from acting half. The good news for Sargison is that the Titans don't have a lot of strength in depth, so he'll get more chances. The bad news is that with the signing of Copley, he won't be in the team at all if everyone is fit.

Like I said about Burgess, Eden and Hardaker, the sheer physicality of backs in the NRL is miles ahead of SL. It took Burgess most of the year to adjust, Eden looked like a wet lettuce throughout, as did Hardaker, and now Sargison. I'm pretty sure a 2015 (or 2017) Hardaker would have done better, but in his first appearance for the Panthers one of the commentators reckoned he was 10 kg too light, and that's the way he played. Being pushed off by one of the smallest players around, Ben Barba, just about summed up his defensive efforts.

That's why England need to pick backs who are either big or at least really enjoy the tough stuff. Ideally both.

Re: British players in the NRL: how are they doing? : Thu Apr 20, 2017 11:44 am  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

I was at the Broncos-Titans game and Sargison was terrible in the first half, and got taken off immediately after dropping a pass that led to a try (classically looking at the tacklers not the ball). That wasn't long after a really poor effort tackling Boyd where he just seemed to let him go. He came back on later and was clearly told to dig in, as he had a fair few runs from acting half. The good news for Sargison is that the Titans don't have a lot of strength in depth, so he'll get more chances. The bad news is that with the signing of Copley, he won't be in the team at all if everyone is fit.

Like I said about Burgess, Eden and Hardaker, the sheer physicality of backs in the NRL is miles ahead of SL. It took Burgess most of the year to adjust, Eden looked like a wet lettuce throughout, as did Hardaker, and now Sargison. I'm pretty sure a 2015 (or 2017) Hardaker would have done better, but in his first appearance for the Panthers one of the commentators reckoned he was 10 kg too light, and that's the way he played. Being pushed off by one of the smallest players around, Ben Barba, just about summed up his defensive efforts.

That's why England need to pick backs who are either big or at least really enjoy the tough stuff. Ideally both.

You can probably add Tomkins to that list as well. His footwork and ball skills helped him to at least make a go of it in the NRL, but it terms of winning collisions he never stood a chance. Some Wigan fans might object, but ultimately his time over there was a failure.

If Joe Wardle wants to have any sort of career over there, he'll move into the second row as soon as he can.

Re: British players in the NRL: how are they doing? : Thu Apr 20, 2017 11:44 pm  

Tomkins played like an extra halfback for the Warriors. The glaring weakness in his game wasn't defence, where he worked hard and ended up being pretty reasonable, but in kick returns. The best fullbacks in the NRL make big yards and/or regularly get quick PTBs following contact. Tomkins would get absolutely smashed, so the Warrior ended up having him pass to a winger every time. I'm pretty sure that if he'd stayed in the NRL he would have ended up at 6 or 7.

Re: British players in the NRL: how are they doing? : Fri Apr 21, 2017 10:01 am  

Hodgsons sledging of Dylan Walker came back to bite him in the bum.
What a game.

Re: British players in the NRL: how are they doing? : Mon Apr 24, 2017 7:47 am  

George Burgess slapped with a 4 week ban for a completely pointless and cowardly late shoulder charge on Milford. So, in his last 3 games he's been banned for 2 games for elbowing a Knights player in the face after he'd played the ball, escaped sanction (god knows how) after twice elbowing a Bulldogs player that was holding down to slow the PTB, and now this cheap shot on Milford - the bloke is in self destruct mode.
Not sure what's got into him, and why he feels he needs to try and be a big tough man - he's just looking real dumb and grubby. I'd suggest he needs to use the focus he's got on trying to look tough on actually holding onto the ball and doing some work.
I remember when the twins first started playing for Souths, Sam went through a similar patch where he was more focused on the niggle, rather than being the ultimate workhorse that he is, maybe George is just going a similar phase in his life....

Re: British players in the NRL: how are they doing? : Tue Apr 25, 2017 8:45 am  

Widdop was having a good game until forced off injured.
Dragons struggled without him second half especially on last play options.
Looks like he'll be sidelined for a bit.

Re: British players in the NRL: how are they doing? : Tue Apr 25, 2017 11:36 pm  

What was really noticeable about Widdopp before he went off is how much straighter he's playing this year. The forwards are doing much better and the team is set up much better, but he really is a different player in terms of confidence.

Re: British players in the NRL: how are they doing? : Wed Apr 26, 2017 7:32 am  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

What was really noticeable about Widdopp before he went off is how much straighter he's playing this year. The forwards are doing much better and the team is set up much better, but he really is a different player in terms of confidence.

Just as his contract was up for renewal, how curious