IIRC played in every game on that 1990 tour, the only player to do so.

And that, for anyone who isn't old enough to remember, was when tours were proper tours, with midweek games inbetween the Test matches. Think it was something like 12 games in 6-7 weeks?

Which backs have we let go since 2008 that are better than Sykes? Our outgoing players of any note were Jeffries, Tupou and Tadulala. Of those Jeffries was as infuriating and as inconsistent as Sykes at his worst. Tadulala was an out an out winger so doesn't bear comparison and Tupou? Well I don't even need to go into that one.

I'm interested in where you think Sykes comes in the Bulls wage structure. Given that it's pure speculation I'd say he's one of our higher earners in the backs but I doubt he's on a fortune. I'd say you know about as much as me on this point.

The Bulls are currently coping with a very difficult financial situation. Last I heard we were spending well below the cap (amongst the four lowest spenders in SL). It's not a case of lacking ambition, rather a case of spending what we can afford so that means we can't compete for top players. Given that situation it's obvious why Sykes was re-signed.

I have a DVD featuring the all the games from that tour. These weren't exhibition matches either. GB's game versus Auckland was a running battle from start to finish. It also includes a rather hirsute Bluey McLennan at stand off for Auckland getting stuck into the biff.

What he said, except to say that Roy Powell was much admired by Jack Gibson. Now if Big Jack said "the boy done good", I'll take that opinion over anybody on this, or any other forum for that matter.

As for Kirke, he lacks punch and he's never going to set the world on fire. However, if things were different, we wouldn't need players like Eastwood and we probably wouldn't be able to afford to keep him. He is what he is, a good squad player, who can do a job. So why be so negative about him?

And did all the ironing for the squad as well.

That really is exaggerating it a bit.

There isn't plenty of players in the championship who would do a better job than Paul Sykes. Lower wages, yes. Better, I bet theres not "plenty"

You call it exaggerating, I call it utter bollox.

You haven't made that up either. I recall reading that.

Well, I won't disagree, but I thought i'd put it nicely

Absolute nonsense.

Sykes is a solid player, hard hitter, can pass (abit), can kick and up until a few weeks back I thought he had a fair bit of pace.
However IMO his 'rugby brain' is well below the standard of that required by a top SL player. That game aganst NZ in the World cup was the greatest example of this, but time and time again I see him make dodgy decisions in attack and defence. For this reason he's a player that I just don't rate, I wouldn't want him anywhere near Leeds, not even for his utility value.

Why?

Sykes always gets unfairly judged by his world-cup campaign. He was shifted positions constantly, its hard to keep changing positions each week never mind numerous times in a game.

Powell and Medley were a great combination....but my most abiding memories also as a younger lad were the same.

Eccles was such a small bloke too, but he, Holmes, Harrison and Smith were always my dad's favourite players. I fell for the more obvious talents of Pitchford and Atkinson.

TranslationI have been exposed as a man with more faces that a Grandfather Clock.