He could redefine the job of a number 8. Don't waste energy in rucks and mauls but operate out in the centre channels when attacking, and defend on the inside of the stand off to smash the runners that come round the corner. As an extra back he won't be relied on for long passes and kicking, the 10, 12 and 15 can do that. With somebody like Brown following him then his offloads could work well. When it comes to big hits in defence I don't think they will be as effective as they are in League. Not on forwards anyway. The running style close to the ruck tends to be stooped over leading with the head and shoulders and prepared to go to ground in the best position to recycle the ball. Also some of the front five will be a lot heavier than league forwards and simple physics will negate some of the effects of the big hit. FYI I have played both and enjoy watching both. But would chose League to play or watch every time.

Yep. Exactly the same last year.

The same as last year yes, but as a day out to have a look at some of the younglings I'd actually like to have an option if you please. No problem trying to attract the corporates (also probably why Farrell is the guest speaker at the dinner - to appeal to the rah-rahs), but are there any figures from last year's event to back up the efficacy of this approach? Given that it's been going on between Broncos & Skolars for some years, has anything actually come from this "networking" attempt (sorry - hate that term).

It's actually more an indictment of the state of sport in Comps. The Bitch Thatcher started the wholesale sell-off of school land & her lick-spittle, Major carried it on with Blair & Brown not doing anything to reverse the problem.
The only places left that can conceivably grow our future elite athletes [iare [/ithe fee-paying schools, so it's no surprise (nor a problem, IMO) that a disproportionate number come from that direction.
Until we stop leaning so far towards academic subjects in curricula & cater for those people who are never going to remember Pythagoras' theorem let alone revel in Dickens or Maxine Peake as Hamlet (she was fab, by the way), then the demise of sport in state schools will continue until it crosses the point of no return. If it hasn't already.

I'm sure there'll be other opportunities for you.