Today's result questions the notion that the Aussies could field a number of different sides and still beat everyone.

They have lost 3 of the last 4 major finals they have played against the Kiwis - only the deluded would suggest that SOO is of the same standard of days gone by.

Is the NRL just breeding safe rather than brilliant players - the Aussies looked devoid of ideas and real skill today - I was surprised how impotent their attack was.

theres more kiwis & islanders in the NRL than there is overseas players in super league....

Is that an argument against Serge's post, spud? Sure looks like it. Just keep it civil, you two.

Polynesians are dominating the NRL these days, and most, if not all Polynesians are eligible for New Zealand.
Polynesians are men at 14/15 years old and the white lads are just getting pushed out because they only develop later. New Zealand are now RL's no.1 nation, and that is with only one professional club.

nope its just a observation that people should bare in mind....

Love the johnny comes...

It would be a worthy point if someone can come up with the nationalities lists for all the 30 Top flight clubs and see who represents who. Kiwis seem to be the major beneficiary, with the SL suffering with players not wanting to go and risk losing test jerseys.

The figures are around 30% for Polynesian and Melanesian players in the NRL.

But to counter that arguement that is an actual New Zealand team in the comp.

you've just gotta look at NSW in origin to see the effect it's having.....their talent pool is dwindling

IMO the whole under 20s thing has had a bit of a negative effect with such a tight salary cap.
Guys are being discarded at 21, a bit like this country and so you're ending up with a nucleus of mature players backed up by a squad of very young players. Players that cant be paid because of the salary restraints are finding their way to SL, other sports or just out of the game.
Its hard to explain but I know what I mean

Almost by definition, there is no lack of depth in the NRL in so far as Australian players are concerned.

Just lots in the Kiwis as well.

Still 13 on 13, with reserves, irrespective. Anything can happen on the day. England could do worse than remember this occasionally.

Let's not get too carried away. If Aus were to play NZ 10 times the Kiwis would probably win 2/3 at the most. Don't forget, the Aussies hammered the Kiwis last week with a weakened team. Also, if the Aussies hadn't lost Tate and Miles to injury, i don't think they'd have lost that game. Just my opinion...

Close thread...

NSW has copped it on the back of some amazing talent and a concerted effort by Queensland in the early 2000 to get their programmes right and some incredible input by the FOG's.

The tide will change again when lockyer retires and NSW have some developing halves. If anything, the kiwis rising in the big games comes from their NRL experience and only strengthens the argument for a second NZ team in the NRL

A lack of depth in playing talent. I assumed you were talking about SL!! No really!! NZ are a serious threat to world RL with the amount of young stars in their ranks. English super dooper league is a hundred miles behind this. English RL is crap. Nothing to gloat at or be proud of here as an English Rl supporter.