Totally agree. This is part of the reason I was so angry at the England football team, I'd do literally anything to pull on that shirt just the once.

I'd love to have Blair at the Rhinos. With Melbournes troubles maybe a cheeky bid from Gary will get him interested

Back onto Eastwood. Can anyone confirm if he has a son? I saw him while he had the wrist injury walking with a little boy who looked just like him.

Even if he did go, it's not like he's played enough for us to be considered anything near a vital part of the team. We can easily cop without him IMO and can save the cap space for bigger areas of concern in the team.

Which would all be perfectly salient, had Eastwood been even born anywhere near the UK.

I don't see why a Kiwi, with little upstairs would care whether he signed for Saints, Leeds, Wigan or Bulls if they all offered similar amounts and were challenging for honours.

If "pride of shirt" was a key determining factor, Wayne Rooney would still be masquerading around Goodison Park throwing his toys.

Hope to god this isn't true!

Maybe it is, maybe it isn't.

What I imagine is true however is leaving your family and friends behind on the other side of the world could be pretty difficult and that wouldn't be helped if things like injuries come along to disrupt your involvement in the club and the reason you came over in the first place - to earn some dosh and play some rugby.

I admire the antipodeans for their personal sacrifices that they make for our entertainment but also feel they are, quite naturally, less committed when the going gets tough.

I think the point Danny was making was that if he doesn't want to play for Leeds, let him go, there's no shortage of people who do.

Agree with that. Homesickness is a difficult thing, and Greg has been given a hard time on this thread. But it's not quite as simple as turning up and making yourself at home for some people, especially younger players.

If he doesn't want to be here, then it probably is best for both parties to allow him to leave. But claiming he should be priveleged to pull on the shirt, and if he doesn't like it he can f off, is stupid talk.

If he is homesick it doesn't automatically mean that he doesn't want to play for Leeds.

Lee Smith

That would be an easy solution for Greg, do doubt.

But maybe he should actually work through his issues and honour the commitment Leeds have made to him? I am tired and lazy and want to go home now. I am unhappy in the office. Should my employers let me go home therefore?

Leeds have made a massive commitment to Greg. They were extra-ordinarily accommodating to him last year, have committed a contract and, presumably, a quota space to him. Given his age and length of contract they've probably planned a lot of future recruitment plans around him honoring that contract.

If the stories are true it doesn't appear to be effecting his form on the pitch so why should Leeds care? I am sure that many of the Leeds players have personal, emotional issues but they play through them. I am afraid that Greg should do likewise. He feels homesick now, who knows how he might feel in 6 months time.

I remember as a kid going on a school trip for the 1st time. I got homesick and rang my mum in tears asking her to come and collect me. She gave me some tough but loving words and explained that she had paid money she could ill afford to send me on a trip I had begged to go on and that my issues weren't really issues and she could not and would not come and collect me. Maybe greg's father, if that letter really was him, could employ some better parenting and greg could man up like I did as a boy?

Should Leeds release Greg to make him happy? In my opinion, no. It's time for greg to grow up a little bit, work through his personal issues and repay much of the commitment made to him over these last two years by the Rhinos. It also would set a very dangerous precedent for future antipodeans looking to wriggle out of lucrative Super League contracts.

perhaps the people slagging him off should wait to see if it's true. they will look pretty stupid if it's a load of lazy journalism

2 points to the first profile named "Greg's Dad"

Very true, Greg has said in the press that he's happy & his form has been good when he's played.

All we are basing this on is the rag that told us that Buderus was heading home mid season a matter of weeks before he signed a new contract.

I wasnt implying leeds players in that sentiment. i was talking about the many that have gone to other Sl teams and then buggered off