I like how a challenge cup win and play-off appearance spells disaster for Leeds. Its a great indication of the high standards this group of players has set themselves. I think Leeds will surprise a few next year. I don't think we will win the GF but I wouldn't be surprised to see them top of the league after round 23. Cuthbertson is exactly what Leeds needed and will make a great impression.

On Hull KR, they have a chance of the 8, not enough depth and too many average overseas players for the 4. Ive a strong feeling that come the end of the season people will be talking much more about Kelly than Campese.

There is a fair amount of delusion amongst English RL fans, L Walsh said be amongst favourites to win the Steve Prescott Medal, when Walsh was sacked by Penrith and no other team wanted him, he was heading to the NSW Cup. Most Aussies say the SL is about on about the same level as the NSW Cup.

Just because the Aussies say it doesn't make it true. The NRL is more reliant on imports than the Superleague.

Todd Carney is a strong candidate for Man of Steel. However if he remains fit, Campese could be a strong challenger.

It's funny how people are describing Campese as a reserve grader.
He played half a dozen games in reserve grade, and even Ricky Stuart was very clear that it was because he was trying to force the guy out of the club.
Without looking it up, he played about two thirds of last season in firstgrade and was dropped to reserve grade when they no longer had a chance to make the finals, not because he wasn't in their best 17, but because Ricky wanted him out.
He is still on a 500k dollar contract for 2015, which Canberra will have to pay most of I imagine.
Dobson was on a 100k contract, and bloody lucky to get that.

Richard "Ricky" Stuart was a great rugby league player but a very complicated coach. He won a premiership with Sydney Roosters in his first season as an NRL coach but in achieving that he was gifted a wide array of playing talent under a good captain named Bradley Fittler. Stuart then took the team to two successive Grand Final losses before the team expired after the retirement of Bradley Fittler. Stuart never recognized the talent of Jamie Soward, and kept him in reserve grade when he could have benefited the Roosters. Stuart was always highly strung, and never a great manager of men because of his personality. He developed a feud with Phillip Gould that ended his time at the Roosters.

So I think it is very dangerous to judge a player's quality based on the selection judgments of Ricky Stuart.

To say super league is on par with NSW cup is laughable I reckon Wigan St. Helens Warrington and Leeds could easily hold there own in the NRL

No they couldn't. Currently the British infrastructure is their biggest obstacle. They do not have the systems that makes the NRL work.

As could Catalans, you forgetful little boy.

Despite only being in the country a fortnight, Campese played the full 80 minutes in the Robins victory over Hull and led us around the park superbly. Bigger challenges to come but as he settles in I think he will be massive for us. I don't think his shirt will need washing too many times this year though!

Only a first hit out but their styles seem to compliment each other very well. The trick is going to be keeping them on the pitch I think!

Deffo potentially the best partnership we have seen in East Hull since John Dorahy, Gordon Smith/Paul Harkin.

I agree with fun time frankie.

So what are these 'systems' you're referring to? And why are you sure Superleague clubs don't have them?

If you'd have made the same comparison between yourselves and Castleford prior to a ball being kicked last season you would have made a case that you were better in every position than them, yet the season never works out like that.

For what its worth I'd take Shaul and maybe Lineham out of your back line the rest of them including the half backs I'd rather go with what we've got. Having seen Sio and a limitted amount of Mantelato I'd maybe even leave Lineham.

Neither team will trouble the top 4 and it will be a toss up between which one of us finishes the higher, I'll go for us in 7th Hull in 8th

Ironically the biggest advantage the NRL has over SL in terms of infrastructure is a feeder league rather than a 2nd division.

Though I'm willing to bet LeagueFan doesn't agree with that.