I asked this a while ago, but if someone can give a definition of "International Class" then it would make these debates a lot easier.

As for Sinfield, "a ball playing back row forward" (who just throws lots of passes hoping some will stick) is about as far from an accurate description of him as I've ever read.

The term just doesn't make any sense in relation to Rugby League, where all but 3 international teams are comprised primarily of players who, with the best will in the world, will never be NRL/ESL, let alone 'international class'

They would if the Aussies didnt cherry pick the best for their own team.

Chicken and Egg really. Personally I think for the good of the game residency should be tightened up, and that way we'd get a lot better from the pacific island teams

Darren Lockyer - simple

As for throwing passes - my point was if you throw enough - and boy does he throw a lot - some will come good - that is different from saying he lots of passes hoping some will stick. For everyone that comes good someone is on the end of a hospital pass.

Thats the game. You don't get negative points for bad passes. Its the ones that come off that count.

There's no way he can be a halfback if he tries to take control of the game and make looks at different passing options to try and open up the game. What is he thinking of?

The point was what makes an international half back - it is about execution and the quality of that execution. You only have so many opportunities if your half back wastes them through poor options then it makes your job a lot harder. Lockyer wastes less opportunities and his execution is second to non that is what an international standard half back is required to do.

Saturday will be an interesting evening to compare their respective merits.

If "international class" is defined as being as good as Darren Lockyer, there are only a couple of players taking part in this tournament who are international class.

Absolutely feeble.

Unless there's more than one guy called Darren Lockyer then it's pretty much just him isn't it?

I'd given both Thurston and Cam Smith the benefit of the doubt.

Don't forget Benji Marshall. It's just a pity he didn't come over for the tournament...

But there not called Darren Lockyer?

What is it with Birtish fans? English players perform to excellent levels in our domestic competition and they're denigrated because they can't do it on the international stage.

Then they actually do it, and regardless of accent, reputation or ancestry Sinfield has played much better at 6 so far in this tournament than Marshall or Lockyer and that is dis-regarded.

Sal paradise is simply gooey eyed about anyone Antipodean regardless of what they do or don't do on the pitch.