Is there a limit to the number of exiles per SL club? I thought it was 2 only per club last year?

Defintiely a more aggressive pack than the current incumbents. However, aggression doesn't compensate for lack of options, organisation, an inability to play for 80 minutes at the required intensity and playing as a well-oiled unit. A lot of those forwards in your list above also endured some terrible hammerings back in the day - 64-10 and 44-4 immediately spring to mind.

Seriously, you just cannot compare WCC fixtures with the intensity and importance of full-blown international test fixtures against Australia which actually mean something. WCC fixtures are pre-season warm-up games for the Australian club sides where the conditions and timing are hugely stacked in favour of the SL clubs.

swiftcorn - I think part of the reason that our forwards are blowing after 60 minutes is exactly the same as our other problems. We play a one-up attack in the forwards, then spread the ball wide to the backs without much involvement from the pack. Our attack up the middle is generally easy meat for the Aussies. Their forwards don't have to make up lots of ground every tackle and can tackle as a unit.

Then they get the ball, and ask questions on multiple plays, making our big men run around to cover and generally tire them out. They also make fewer unforced errors at bad times and parts of the field.

Its like playing someone better at tennis - you can be just as fit but you'll end up knackered because they run you off your feet.

BTW I'd also add that a lot of SL fans also underestimate the sheer physicality of the top NRL sides.

I'd also say a lot of SL fans underestimate the quality and aggression of forwards from other SL clubs.