Something funny is going on with Chris Hyde.
He is the form player in the Newcastle Rugby League comp this year, playing for Macquarie United Scorpions.
The Newcastle Knights have had an injury crisis in the hookers and have called up 2 from that comp to their reserve grade side, 19 year old Joey Morris, and then 28 year old Chris Adams, who is now playing firstgrade because of injuries to the first choice hookers.
It will be a bit ironic if Hyde hasn't been able to get his big break because they have to wait till the TV show finishes before they can use him.

I don't really understand the timing of this programme? The other week they were at the 2015 NRL GF and now there's a live final almost 10 months later. Have the final 3 been waiting to find out who wins all that time?

Bit strange before that episode I presumed that it started some time this year and was building to now so that they could start next year, what have the rookies been doing since then? What if they got injuries, poor Chris Hyde could be 30 by the time his contract would start.

Chris hind is a beast when it comes to fitness. Considering his age he really showed he can live with anyone.

Anyone think it's worth a super league club inviting him over for a few weeks if he doesn't get a break with the NRL.

I thought Jordan was bit lucky to go through this week. Hope Reece sticks with it and gets playing minors rugby league back in New Zealand

The show seems to have fallen victim to some TV programming exec who didn't think it would rate.
The 3 month filming of the show took place at the end of last season. Chris Hyde had to miss the Newcastle RL grandfinal to take part in the show (his side lost without him).
The plan would have been for the show to air in the 2016 pre season, and the winner to join a team for the pre season trials.
As it happened, the show wasn't aired till a few months ago, and it was originally used as a slot filler on a back channel, till it rated well, and suddenly it's being replayed on the main channel every time I turn on the TV now.
If they do it again, and hopefully they do, and bigger and better, it should be shown in the lead up to next season, and the winner should get a real chance to play.

I'd love a British version of this. It'd cost less too given the relative size of contracts between SL and NRL. And the fact that you can travel along the M62 instead of having to fly to NZ and Canberra!

The wife nominates Paul Sculthorpe for the Brad Fittler role, which is a fair call. His supporting acts could be Robbie Hunter-Paul and Gary Schofield as the good cop/bad cop duo.

All you need is a big house near Leeds for them to stay in.

It's been a great concept, and it's drawn me in despite my general loathing of "reality" TV. Good way of getting some more people to register RL too.

Get it done RFL/SKY.

I also have a general loathing of 'reality TV', but this one has drawn me in too. I've said to our lass a few times that an English Version of this would be a great idea, but I'd want it to be more National and try and tap into some of the 'Kick and Clap' areas (Leicester, Bristol etc..) in addition to the RL heartland areas. Try and take some of the potential Union talent from them for a change instead of them taking our lads. There is some good young talent around the country and this would be a good way of trying to get them involved in league. The RFL seem to be failing in their other expansion plans, this may just be a way of getting people who don't watch our game to be interested in it.

A UK version would be great but man we have to admit that seeing the guys here do a challenge in Hull won't have the same effect as seeing the beautiful back drops of Brisbane and Sydney etc etc

No disrespect to hull by the way.

But yeah done the right way we could have a great series. Make it nationwide and you should see players from both codes appear for trials.

There are plenty of places to do tough challenges around the UK that would look good on the TV, and due to the harshness of the weather etc.. in some of the places (Scottish Highlands, Snowdon etc..) it could make the challenges even tougher. I think it could be a real winner done in the right way

If you follow the NRL on Facebook don't check your updates

Fair result IMO, deserves the contract, supposed only two clubs offered him a contract, wonder what would have happened if no one choose him.

I will be interested to see what happens to the other rookies, it would be good to have another episode in a few months with what they are up too.

Hope they do a 2nd season, but improve the timings.

Agree a British version would be great as long as it's done properly and not done on the cheap with them training on some council playing field in a small northern town.

Am I right in saying there were 15 "rookies"?
Get some from all round the country. Obviously a core from the heartlands but get a couple of Welsh in there, a couple of maybe Union players from the South, a couple from London and maybe even a couple from France.

Get a wide spread of people and train etc in impressive locations and it'd be just the kind of programme RL needs.

It missed a trick in my opinion by not being complete rookies.

If it were to be done here it should be people who have literally never played the game. It would mean all were starting from the same level, the improvements would be more obvious, it can go a bit more in depth about some of the less obvious aspects of the game, and it shows the game as inclusive.

Also, it just seems like there is a pretty obvious reason a group of 24-27 year olds who play RL and have done for years havent got a pro contract. Its unlikely all these players were missed, more likely they just werent good enough.

First season NFL players are known as Rookies in their first season, and they've turned professional.

Over 1000 applied worldwide, 200 were chosen to attend trials in Australia and NZ, 28 rookies were then chosen from 200 trialists.

The NRL rookie ended up being way more popular then channel 9 thought it would be. Will be interesting too see if it just as popular next year.

I read an interview with one of the rookies who said they had a masseuse visit them every two days. Had coaches review video with the players every day.

Said they were treated like professional players. Not sure a version here would be like that.

If it done cheap then no point.