I was simply discussing how would people rate a 'world class' player. I said a system I would probably go off if pushed would be if a player was one of the top 10 players in his position in the world.

I then went on to say going off that system alone we had Richards, S Tomkins and O'Loughlin that would fall into that catogary and Bradford would have Matt Orford.

All totally fair going simply off that system.

The fact is the term world class is totally over used and hardly any teams in superleague contain truely word class players.

Their board is always worth a read for a chuckle, whether they are doing badly or well, I always get the impression it's full of excitable kids who get way too carried away whatever is going on.

It's strange because I used to work with a lot of Wigan fans in Manchester, and as a group they were amongst the most balanced, knowledgeable and realistic fans you're likely to meet. The couple I am still in touch with are both optimistic about their prospects, but nowhere near the levels seen on cherry and white.

Thanksfully the posters on C+W are not representative of the fanbase as a whole. I think RLFans attracts the most extreme thinkers. Talk about asking to be laughed at.

People read a few comments amoungst the excited kids(as you point out) and then conveniently miss out the fact 95% of people on there are saying we shouldn't go over the top.

Every club given a start to the season like we've had would have an element of fans that would go overboard with excitment. The fact of the matter is we're 4 games in and everything could well go ti*s up starting on Friday.

What system? Your "system" simply involves saying "he's in the top 10 players in his position in the world". How do you arrive at that opinion? Is it based on Test performances? Performances in finals? What? Or are you just saying it without really justifying it?

While Richards, Tompkins and O'Loughlin would walk into the Bulls team I'd be far less sure about calling them world class. Tompkins has done well over the last 6months of his playing career but he's entering his second season and has a lot to prove now he'll be a marked man. Richards hasn't ever been in danger of playing for Australia or I doubt he'd have stuck with Ireland (or the SL for that matter) so you can take it as read that there's a fair few better wingers around than him. As for O'Loughlin, when was the last time he proved his class against top quality test opposition?

As for your pal saying Cameron Phelps and Amos Roberts are world class I think he needs to sober up

I wouldn't swap Langley for O'Loughlin either.

I also said in the same thread that no real system would work because it's all a matter of opinion and who could decide so I totally get your point.

All i'm trying to point out is what I personally said wasn't arrogant. It was just a general rugby debate about who had more World class players(after a bulls fan said Halley, Nero, Scruton etc were world class). Like i've said theres no way of actually judging it for sure and the only real indications that matter are on the pitch both this Friday and for the rest of the season.

Looking forward to it.

Well said. Hope its a cracker, haven't been this excited for a game in god knows how long.

It should be.

We've not had a crash hot record at Odsal over recent times and it's always a tough place to go. Now your halfbacks have had chance to settle in it makes for an even better clash.

We've all got our fekkwits mate. I think our only world class player left last season. I don't think Halley or Nero will be world class while I have a hole in my backside. And by world class I mean likely to be able to match it with the best the NRL can offer.

Somebody on our board said they thought somebody should only be considered world class if they could get in a world 17. Again it would be a matter of opinion on who would make it but it sounds fair enough.

Going off that Englands world class players imo would be Graham, Peacock, Ellis and Burgess which in my mind sound about right.

Anyway back to this weeks game........................

In popular worldwide sports like football and dare I say it, Rugby Union, then fair enough, but in Rugby League that is a nonsense suggestion. Not enough people play it in order for there to be so many "world class" players.

Fair comment.

I'd say theres probably about 25 guys that play rugby league who deserve the world class tag in truth.

There probably only 2 or 3 in the whole of superleague.

Thats what i was going to say i consider 'world class' to be the best player in the world in that position

2-3 at a push i say, some players like Eastmond and S Tompkins have the potential to get to that level i think though

phelps is expected to be back with roberts reverting back to wing