moto748 wrote:

Of course that's a factor too. Most of the players you mention weren't eligible for Origin, though, surely? And Lyon threw his toys out of the pram, didn't he, and that's the only reason he came to SL? I agree we don't get the Kieis we used to. Is the NRL stronger now than it was back then? Certainly so financially, I'd say.

The Kiwis weren’t but they were first pick Kiwi internationals and they don’t come here now. Guys like Carroll, Lam, Renouf etc were Origin players. Lyon was a bit different in that he’d walked away from the game. It was easier to get the top level origin/international players when the seasons weren’t aligned but only on short contracts. We were still doing pretty well in getting top players here full time when the seasons aligned but the game here has since gone backwards and they’ve drive forward. That exchange rate was huge as well. At the peak of the Three dollars to the pound days (around 2002), players were being tempted.

Aye, but that was way back when, and we are where we are now. And I think we hark back to the past way too much.

moto748 wrote:

Aye, but that was way back when, and we are where we are now. And I think we hark back to the past way too much.

We do and even then things weren’t rosey. The game needs new life breathing in to it. It needs ambition and to believe in itself. Hopefully this new link up with IMG can do something and give the players the platform they deserve.

I hope so too. Our sport has all the attributes to be a massive hit in the modern era. Watch the best that league has to offer, and who could feasibly claim the the 6N is a better contest? But unfortunately, the most successful exponents of league aren't even slightly interested in expanding the game, which doesn't help. Even in their own country! So we have to wind our necks in,and hope we can improve the game further here.

jonh wrote:

Hopefully confirms Wardle to us.

The King family are big Giants fans too so a bit of a homecoming for him.

Talk on the wire board that it's a swap deal.

sergeant pepper wrote:

Talk on the wire board that it a swap deal.

I got a weird text saying Wardle to them on loan until he joins us next year.

Seems a bit unlikely to be honest

A year seems a long time in RL, might have been paper talk but Saints, Wigan, Catalans, Hull KR, Hudds and Wire were all fighting over King.

He’s been garbage this year.

sergeant pepper wrote:

Talk on the wire board that it a swap deal.

I saw that King to Hudds was immediate with Wardle going to Wire on loan for rest of year

Loan moves for King and Wardle confirmed.

Not sure what to make of it on our chances of Wardle for 2023 now. It seems an easy deal for those clubs to make full time if they both settle and go well.

NickyKiss wrote:

Loan moves for King and Wardle confirmed.

Not sure what to make of it on our chances of Wardle for 2023 now. It seems an easy deal for those clubs to make full time if they both settle and go well.

“Jake has only made 6 appearances to date this year for us and his management informed us that a fresh start was of interest to him to “reboot” so to speak his season and a similar scenario could be applied to Toby who is keen to take up the challenge here for the remainder of the year. “


Yeah you’d think Wire would be in pole position to make Wardle permanent, unless they go with Wrench and Mautaiai at centre next year. Hudds will have King and Bibby.

Hope we get Wardle, my source said he’s still on for his Wigan move but I’m sceptical.