Brearley, it doesn't say he won't be playing v widnes. I suspect if he arrives from now - thursday he will probably play if later then probably not.

But believe me after speaking with a few of the staff even if he arrives here early next week hes still got more or less 2 weeks till the opening game v saints so he will be playing in the opening game (providing hes fit).

The staff are really excited and and just as eager to get him over here as we are

I suspect this year O Donnell and Fielden will only be used in 2/3 games and will be rested for the games against cas/widnes/salford/bradford/quins.

Can't these players get their agents to check over the visa application before it's submitted,to prevent technical problems.All this bs over visas gets a bit frustrating.Makes you wonder how committed these players really are.

How right you are Boomer.I have e-mailed Barry Sheerman and asked why it seems to just be RL players who seem to get all the grief.Don't expect much by the way of a straight answer.

forget your mp only thing you get from that txxx pxxx is that he should be on 100k per year and have 2 free carparking spaces

cant see him playing in the first game if he doesnt play in the friendlies... wouldnt be fair on the others plus we are strong enough anyway with ferres,odonnell,lawrence,chan,ferguson,fairbank if he doesnt..no need to rush him. we know what happens with our imports and their hamstrings!

i expect fielden and odonnell to be spelled but to play just 2/3 games???!! or do you mean against 3 teams?? that still would only be 6

I meant i expect them to play 2 in every 3 games so play two games rest one, play two rest one...if you get me?

So if he comes over in good condition and trains the house down you would not play him? i certainly would

jakegiant wrote:
Brearley, it doesn't say he won't be playing v widnes. I suspect if he arrives from now - thursday he will probably play if later then probably not.

But believe me after speaking with a few of the staff even if he arrives here early next week hes still got more or less 2 weeks till the opening game v saints so he will be playing in the opening game (providing hes fit).

The staff are really excited and and just as eager to get him over here as we are

I suspect this year O Donnell and Fielden will only be used in 2/3 games and will be rested for the games against cas/widnes/salford/bradford/quins.

l suspect you are right jake, so l wont be surprised if this happens and we loose some of these games.
l believe in always playing your strongest team, l believe simply resting players breeds inconsistancy within the team , and thats bad, hopefully PA has similar ideas
l wonder how these players would feel about having 1/3 of there pay packets rested ?

no as he hasnt played in the warm up games or been in pre season training with us, has to bed in and bide his time and we have others who are more than good enough to play the first game v saints. like i say , no need to rush him.

Agree with you here, we've players who've probably worked hard in pre season who can adequately do the job, why risk someone with no training, game time etc .....worthless risk if you ask me.

PA said yesterday that Ukuma would not get in the 17 for the opening round.

Support players need to get used to his style of play,so its fair enough.Though if the visa farce could have been avoided then it would have been a different story.

odonnell, lawrence, ferres the starting 2nd rowers for me first round...or include chan in that too, might have to come off the bench though

strong 2nd row that even without ta'ai

I have received a reply from our MP Barry Sheerman about the treatment of rugby league players wanting to play in this country and the problem they have being granted a visa as opposed to footballers and RU players (and for that matter anyone who wants from any other country)Yet it seems RL players are being subjected to a lot of grief no matter wherever they come from.
Mr Sheerman agrees this does seem unfair and will be bringing this to the attention of the minister of sport,Hugh Robertson.
I don't know whether this will do any good but,other clubs are complaining as well as us.

Personnally i think that they are being refused entry due to the fact that a footballer such as Carloz Tevez who came to the country not speaking a word of english will contribute around 3m a year in Tax and NI which will probably take me about 10 life times to pay the equivalent.

They dont see them as a contributor but probably a drain on the economy, think about it if after 8 years residency (or what ever it is) will they have earned enough money to stay in the country to never work again? I doubt it...

But that a side its poor, equal opportunity should be given to all sports

What miffs me is Carlos Tevez collects parking tickets like confetti and has a driving ban. On the other hand all some Aussie RL player has to do is fart in public somewhere in Sydney and he's got no chance of getting into this country.

money talks,always has always will!
an angolan under 18 player will get a work permit to this country because of the money or potentially the player will earn.