Gareth O'Brien will be our No1 half in the next year or so. Tony Smith does not keep players that he does not think will be first choice players. He is 23 and is just coming to the age where good half backs start to flurish. Why else would the club keep him around if they did not think he was the answer. All this 'in and out' is the clubs way of getting him ready. Its a tough call for any young player to come in to a team like ours and run the show, because he needs to shut up players like Bridge, M Monaghan, Higham, Ratchford, Myler, not an easy thing to do without earning the stature.
On Friday he was dominant in the first half, the first 4 kicks resulted in additional sets or points. He was less effective in the second half as we changed our approach and we predominatly attacked down the middle as Cas forwards tired, so the hookers became dominant.
He is the answer and will be a international half within 3 years.

Let me tell you this about Gareth O'Brien - He was recently offered to Leigh on a permanent basis but his wage demands were too high.

Make of that what you will...

He wont be our number 1 halfback for years to come if he doesn't sign the contract we've offered him. At the minute he's rejected it purely on the basis that he wants to play first team rugby every week, as it is he will be leaving us.

A reasonable request in my eyes, he deserves to play first team rugby every week, whether that is with us or elsewhere remains to be seen. Let's just hope the right decision is made and we aren't kicking ourselves a few years down the line..

If this is true it just goes to show that what we think of him, trying to tie him in to a long term contact as he has another 12 months left on his contract. Begs the question as to why were are offering him to Leigh and offering him a new contract at the same time?? I think one or both of these last few posts may be wrong ???

Its a shame really the lad has never had a prolonged run in the team, I personally think he could have a good future for the Wire but we may have burned some bridges now if we have offered him to Leigh!

Some one mentioned Travis Burns, well he as signed for saints which surprised me as the rumour on sky was he would be going to wigan.

If so that is a big opportunity missed for us, he would have gone very well here.

Incidentally GOB is 23 in a month, people are talking as though he is a young kid. He could well be as good as he is going to get.

I have mentioned Travis Burns at every opportunity but knew he was off to Saints...gutted as I love watching him, he is mad but a really good organiser!

I agree, but, I would suggest that self-belief is a major factor in anyone's development. Renting a player out to another club can work both ways...I am gaining valuable first team experience, my day will come, or the coach doesn't want me I'm always the first to be dropped/farmed out.

If the rumour is true that he's been offered to Leigh then it looks like it's the latter and if that's the case are we ever going to see GOB at his best? I think he has talent, but, would question his self-belief that would enable him to kick on and boss games.

Then again I know n'ewt

I was looking at this yesterday and thinking which Half backs were world beaters at 22 in Super League. We are thinking that he should be in there now doing the Briers stuff, that very rarely happens at 22 yrs old. Most half backs dont rise to the top till 24/25. Sean Long, Danny Brough, Matty Smith, Lee Briers to name a few, the odd one like Bobby Goulding and Danny Maguire are the ones i can think off that were very good at a young age. So i personally dont think he is as good as he is going to get.

GOB could always turn his hand to being a chef at Nando's. The chicken meal he turned out for me and my family was delicious!

Travis is a player you do not want at your club. He's a complete head the ball and does what he wants when he wants. He left Australia because no one likes him over there and KR are willing to ship him out after a year. What does that tell you.

Personally I'd want a halfback that can lead a team round the park and has a strong kicking game. I'd like to see either of these in the P&B: Scott Dureau, Matty Smith, Todd Carney

Carney every time for me - provided he could get a visa.

It's not like we don't like a punt.

Did n't Cullen one say If your going to spend big ( on an Aussie ) it must be in the halves.