You could actually gain a modicum of credibility if you could better acquire knowledge of the English Language. Until then you're better off just reading and learning.

Might it not be the quality of the opposition rather than the carrying across of ( N B .."their "icon_wink.gif club form that is the issue ??

P s you've a free reign to counter-attack...... I will be offline for a considerable time ... : )

It must be a long,long time (if ever) that Hunslet have had more inclusions in a national side than we have at a major international tournament.









(not the case if Greg Eastwood is still classed as a Leeds player,obviously)

I knew exactly what you meant with your giants reference. However, you know as well as I do that posting rational opinion on here involves swimming against a huge tide of tery, and I wasn't going to pass on the opportunity to make another rational point.

Well said Sir Nantwich in Exile... you've nailed it. Our players do carry their SL form into the international arena. Problem being, said SL form isn't even close to what might be considered good enough to compete successfully at international level, nor is said SL form even remotely world class. If truth be told, said SL form is often discovered to be out of it's depth in the international arena against bona fide world class opposition players.

Don't expect sundry ts to agree with the blatantly obvious though. They are already lining up Steve McNamara and this England squad as the worst ever assembled, simply because Tony Smith is no longer the coach and sundry "world class" Leeds players aren't included to usher in a new and successful 4-52 or 16-46 dawn.

So how does it change Keith?

How do you raise the standards of SL to the point where the players within it become capable of challenging the antipodeans on their own soil?

Chuck us some answers rather than statements of the blindingly obvious.

Christ alive, constructive commentary and critique? No round these parts very often and certainly, not from the usual wannabe ocker fishing club members that's for sure.

We need to improve the overall standard of coaching at junior level and to ensure that all juniors of a reasonable standard are exposed to at least some professional coaching on a regaular basis. No disrespect to the very many amateur coaches but, the vast majority can't begin to provide the kind of tutoring that is required.

The divide between the amateur game and the professional clubs should be the starting point in overcoming the problem. The relationship between local junior leagues and professional clubs in Australia is very different.

Can I add to that moving all junior rugby to the summer months?

Yes I know the grounds are harder and the little uns might end up with a few more scraped knees, but surely it would increase participation if kids could come out and play the game in the warm summer nights of July and August rather than in a sea of mud in February?

Increased participation gives you a bigger share of the pool of talented young athletes, it's then down to those who provide the kids with the skills they need to flourish and enjoy the game to do the rest.

Totally agree about the summer rugby for juniors. Besides all of the benifits you've pointed out, it is far easier to learn how to catch, pass and kick when your hands aren't numb. Being able to see clearly over a distance of more than ten yards tends to help as well.

This is happening.

.................as is this.

The biggest issue is coaches that are all about winning at under 10s which is to the detrement of LTAD and the skills and game sense the kids are taught.

Answers are not in his modus operandi chief.

Excuse me, but there is some damn good coaches at amatuer level mate. I won't begin to say that all of them are the same level, but there is certainly some very good coaches at Amateur level.

Might I suggest we also need to look at the coaching at super league clubs for juniors? after all a proven coach in the amateur game who has been developing players for years, is a far better standard than just putting ex players in positions as they reach end of their careers, just to give them a job.