As a Leeds fan I am not very fond of Graham after his petulant childish non handshaking a few years back, that said he impressed me with the way he handled defeat this year at old Trafford, and weather you like him or not you cannot dispute that he is a very good player and will go well in the NRL. He isn't overrated and most fans would want him in their team

I don't anyone 'wants' him to get battered, but some are doubting whether he can transfer to the NRL with any great success.

I've based my opinion on the games I've seen him play - in the high tempo intensity of big games when he's looked tired and broken, when his back and other problems have clearly taken their toll. He's been doing too much for too long and it's shown, and I wonder whether he can raise to the week-in, week-out intensity and speed of the NRL. Of course better conditioning and coaching will help, so we'll see.

I hope he does well, I really do, but I have some doubts, that's all.

That's his quoted reason for going: to freshen him up. He was getting stale and he wanted a new challenge. He's got himself one.

He wasn't at his best during 2011 except in the Wigan games when he was ferocious. If the Bulldogs get Jammer with his Wigan mindset in place then they will have a belter of a prop.

Well said mate.

I don't get this Graham bashing at all,I know he played for my club but in all honesty if he played for Wigan I would still rate the guy highly.He is a machine who will do alright in the NRL,less games and probably less game time on the pitch says to me we will see the Jammer of a couple of years ago,immense.

James Graham will do well in the NRL as long as he stays fit.

Another top player brought through by St Helens.

Graham is an awesome player who is a pleasure to watch, I believe will do very well in the NRL.

I agree Cronus.I wish Graham the very best in Aus but I think he peaked around four years ago.He just looks full of puff these days and has lost all power.His taking of the short ball three meters from the try line before turning in the tackle won't wash down under.

Graham finished the season with lower back trouble. He should really have missed the end of the season, but being Jammer he said hell no.

He won't destroy the NRL and I just hope the Canterbury fans know what they are getting. i.e not a player like Sam Burgess who'll absolutely smash a player in a spectacular big hit, then do nothing for the rest of the game and finish with 60m made. Instead he'll give them the RL version of the duracell bunny.

The only thing that could potentially limit Jammer in Aus is the sun. Cliched I know, but look at the man. He's white as snow and bright ginger. Those people are not designed to be burned in the sun. He'll have to apply factor 50 constantly.

Graham bashing, or just a few Wigan fans who aren't prepared to admit that anyone other than Prince Sam can make it in the NRL?

An absolute fuçking myth.

Not sure why i've waited 6 pages to comment. Maybe because I enjoy the in-house bickering to an extent. But I have no doubt Graham will be an excellent player in the NRL. I was actually more impressed with him this Four Nations than in past internationals. He really carried the English pack this year.

The Australian winter sun has been known to burn people of his complexion though, that much is no joke. It's funny, but reality.

should make him more slippery and harder to tackle.

But if it is a myth why are there so many ex NRL assistant Coaches or failed NRL Coaches in SL that are currently considered the best in England?

As far as conditioning I am not sure but the Aussies looked at least as fit as the English players in the recent series.

There has been a history of Australia thrashing England in the last quarter, is this conditioning? Australia moving up two gears when they want to? or Shenton going off?

I hope Graham does well, the Dogs are a good option for him.
The intensity or the NRL may make him a different player if used properly, he will not be the standout that has to carry the pack and that will be good for him.

Because people believe the myth.





As fit as?




It could be, but very unlikely. More to do with things like tackle counts, missed tackles, metres made by the aussies in the game. How many in a tackle. etc. etc. Many, many variables. Aussies get on a roll, and we let our heads fall. Generally, fück all to do with fitness.





I hope so too. How often have you seen this bloke play then Jonesy, to pass such a comment on him?

I should add that the reason I say it's a myth is that I have spoken to several players who have played in both comps as well as a fitness conditioner friend who was in SL and have said there is no real difference in strength and conditioning. I can only go by what the players who actually experience it rather than us fans opinions on what we choose to believe.

They love their stats over there. He will undoubtedly impress with his metre making and willingness to take the ball up twice in a set for as long as he is on. They also like a forward who has ball skills and Graham has brilliant hands. I think they'll really rate him.