FORUMS > Wigan Warriors > Saints confirm Grace off to Union |
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Player Coach | 9364 | |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Feb 2005 | 19 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Jul 2024 | Jul 2024 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
13145_1273270974.jpg :d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_13145.jpg |
|
| Quote: Cruncher "I get so tired of hearing fans respond as if, just because a player's done the honourable thing and the best for himself and his family, somehow it's not a crisis for Rugby League.
I don't care how honourably the player's behaved. That's not the issue.
The issue is that we keep on losing good players to the game. It's bad enough that they go to the NRL, but Union is a serious problem as, not only does it prevent them playing international RL, it seems to ruin them as athletes.
I don't understand why our powers-that-be aren't trying to address this problem. But then, it's been going on for years now and they've not done a tap, so why should they start now?'"
I think you're maybe going a bit OTT. I can't remember the last player who went to union prior to Grace. I'm no fan of the RFL's sports administration skills but I'm not sure there's much they could do differently to stop a player who wants to represent his country in a World Cup that is far bigger than ours. You could remove the salary cap I guess but there's very few clubs who could afford to pay more than what they're paying atm without getting in a mess.
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Player Coach | 15215 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Jan 2006 | 18 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Jul 2024 | Jul 2024 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
: |
|
| Quote: hatty "To be fair to Grace , I can’t see Wales winning a RL World Cup anytime soon so he probably crossed that off his reasons to stay list.'"
I'd also argue that if the Lions ever came back, even for a one-off tour, he'd be lucky to get anywhere near the first team. So yes, it's unlikely.
But as I say, it's not him I have an issue with.
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Academy Player | 1899 | |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Jun 2022 | 2 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Jul 2024 | Jul 2024 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
: |
|
| Quote: NickyKiss "All jokes aside, it’s another sad day for the sport. I didn’t rate him early days but he’s worked really hard and improved massively.
I saw a Saints fan on here (or another forum, can’t quite remember) claiming he wasn’t a big loss to them because he’s not always first choice anymore and I didn’t understand that. He’s a nailed on pick when he’s fit. If we look at it from a selfish Wigan POV, they lose the only player they have with genuine lightning pace and we have 2 or 3, so that won’t hurt us but I’d rather he’d have stayed there long term.'"
So we can expect him to be missing on Saturday? I don’t think so. Do I think he is a top player? No. But he is a good player and his speed certainly worries defences. Good luck to him, Saints will find a replacement.
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
International Star | 4469 | |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Jan 2013 | 11 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Sep 2023 | Aug 2023 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
69704_1656949802.jpg :d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_69704.jpg |
|
| Quote: Cruncher "And I'd reply the same way I did on hearing this when Jason Robinson and Andy Farrell left, both of those two having won a lot more than Grace ... namely, that neither they nor Grace have come close to winning the RL World Cup or even a Test series. And those are the real measures of achievement in 13-a-side. So, let's not pretend there's never anything left for them to do.
But I also go back to what I said earlier. I don't blame the player, or question his motivation. I blame the RFL and question its apparent inability or unwillingness to fight to keep its brightest stars.'"
Maybe back in Farrell's day, but IRL is a joke these days as your thread on the Aussies alludes to.
|
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Player Coach | 2159 | |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Mar 2006 | 18 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Jul 2024 | Jun 2024 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
23338.gif Wellens 3/10 Like public transport. Late, slow and stunk
FIOS:23338.gif |
|
| Quote: Jordan Rankin "The thing is he has won 2 LLS (could be 3 by the end of the season) a challenge cup and 3 Grand Finals (again, could be 4 by the time he leaves) there’s not much for him to still do in league, really…..!
'"
could say the same for Welsby - won all domestic game honours, he should have a crack at the NRL, earn bags of money, take his game to the next level, and give the England squad a better chance to win the World Cup.
We haven't really had a back go out there and rip it up....
|
|
|
|
Rank | Posts | Team |
Club Captain | 71 | No Team Selected |
Joined | Service | Reputation |
Oct 2019 | 5 years | |
Online | Last Post | Last Page |
Feb 2024 | Aug 2022 | LINK |
Milestone Posts |
|
Milestone Years |
|
Location |
|
Signature |
: |
|
| Quote: Cruncher "And I'd reply the same way I did on hearing this when Jason Robinson and Andy Farrell left, both of those two having won a lot more than Grace ... namely, that neither they nor Grace have come close to winning the RL World Cup or even a Test series. And those are the real measures of achievement in 13-a-side. So, let's not pretend there's never anything left for them to do.
But I also go back to what I said earlier. I don't blame the player, or question his motivation. I blame the RFL and question its apparent inability or unwillingness to fight to keep its brightest stars.'"
Whilst I respect your point it’s largely irrelevant, comparing different situations.
Neither Farrell or Robinson came to League from Union originally, and as alluded to already he’s a very proud welsh lad and Wales RL are never getting to win a World Cup (or likely even play any test series with the elite)
His trajectory will be similar to Farrell and Robinson though (albeit he may not hit the same heights) in that he will have increased his earning potential and increased exposure if he does make it into the WRI squad.
|
|
|
|
|
|