Funnily enough, the other day I was just re-watching the England NewZealand game from the KC in the last 4 Nations. There is no way in the world you could describe Briscoe as out of his depth – he wasn’t exceptional but he brought the ball out of his half strongly, snuffed out a couple of dangerous New Zealand attacks and took his try well (although any winger should have scored that try). You describe him as lacking speed, acceleration or agility and many Super league players and coaches have described him as a freakish athlete... I guess I know whose opinion I will take

Unless he makes the move, arguing about whether Briscoe could handle the NRL is simply opinion – mine is that he would make it no problem

Absolute rubbish. As others have said Briscoe has alot to learn but as an athelete hes up there with anyone. The comment about him not having acceleration of agilty tells me you've never actually seen him play.

Have you the links to these many coaches saying that? Cheers.

I have certainly seen much better athletes than Briscoe knocking about Super League, never mind in the NRL. He is strong for his size but is far from some exceptional athlete like you are trying to make out. For a top winger Briscoe is certainly not that fast or agile and isnt blessed with great acceleration. Indeed in the last 4 Nations he looked positively slow compared to the wingers he was up against and wasnt he caught by a forward against either Australia or New Zealand when he was in the clear?

As you say we are all entitled to our opinions. Mine is that Briscoe is a decent player in Super League but isnt good internationally, indeed he has been lucky to retain his England place on occasion, and is a player that doesnt have the raw attributes needed to be a top winger. In the NRL there are many wingers who are true athletes who have a damn more to their game than Briscoe.

Sorry, I don’t have any ‘links’ to radio and tv interviews I’m afraid. Not all my life is spent on the internet



I guess this conversation has arrived at an impasse, you think that Briscoe is not a particularly talented player or athletic, mine is that he is clearly one of the best athletes in the league

If he ever makes the move to the NRL, I guess we will know the answer to the underlying question of can he make it there

Funny enough just watching on telly the 1991 game between Easts and St George. On tuesyda nights you can choose between a few games. This one was picked. Martin Offiah scored a hat trick for the Dragons. He scored something like 11 tries in 14 games for them. It all came flooding back. I was there at that game. Bloody pommie bastárd Offiah.

James Roby would tear the NRL apart.

I also think Sean O'Loughlin would be a class act in the NRL, it suits his game

They certainly didn't seem to have any problems with raising the intensity in the playoffs last year, beating three of the top four sides in the league on the way and all away from Headingley.

Neither have done much at International level consistently.
Roby would be just a tackling machine I guess, he does not have good ball distribution skills, scooting is a SL phenomenon that would get nowhere in Oz.

O Loughlin has the same illness that Keiron Cunningham had, he has been in grade for what around 11 seasons and played against Australia around 5 times and 14 Test Caps over all? I may be a couple of caps out but its hardly a player setting the World on fire in a team that should be easier to get into than most based on the last 4 decades results.

And that's utter e.

Why don't they have a go then?

There is far more money on offer in the NRL for top shelf players.
Surely most Athletes want to compete in the best competition their sport has to offer.

Because they might not want to leave the uk?

And it hasn't always been financially better in aus.

For the top rung of players it has been better financially in the NRL, that is why the Cream of the NRL have not played in England in the last decade.
The Aus dollar has been strong for a couple of years to add to that payday for players.
Maybe they do not want to leave Super League and are happy being big name players in a smaller pond.

I have a lot of time for guys like Ellis that backed themselves for less money, its not about Oz v England or NRL V SL its giving it a go and backing your talent in a League that is generally considered more competitive and more professional.

I don't know what your point is, if a player and his family don't wont to leave the uk it doesn't matter how much they get paid or how greater the comp is.

Believe it or not I know all about the strength of the dollar, I also know how relative it all is considering what the rent I pay in Sydney could get me in northern England.

Players like O' Loughlin are plenty full in the NRL

My opinion is that numerous uk players could make it in the NRL. Even some of our backs, who aren't in the same league as some NRL backs, would easily secure a NRL contract.

To suggest Roby, who the Australian press creamed themselves over during the world cup, couldn't be a top player is laughable.