O/T Saints

Quote: Stu M "In many ways it’s a pointless argument. No Saints fan would swap Welsby for French/Field and no Wigan fan would swap French/Field.

I knew when I posted Welsby’s stats that French had better stats but I only referred to them as a comeback to a fan on here that described him as “average” which is laughable.

Also stats don’t paint the full picture. French scored 7 tries in one game this season didn’t he? The Hull game or was that last season? He’s also played games on the wing which would increase his tally too.

It’s all subjective but the only part I’m trying to point out is that there’s talk in Aus about clubs wanting to sign Welsby yet no one seems to really want to sign French or Field. I’m sure both are happy at Wigan but let’s have it right had they the chance to go back to the NRL they would’ve gone like a shot. As would Sironen and Matautia at Saints.

If we use the NRL as a yardstick for ability and competition then Welsby is more sought after than French or Field. I think there’s a reason for that.'"

The 7 tries was last year and I'm pretty sure he hasn't played on the wing since March.
There was rumours that French was going back to the NRL all last season in fact he was being reported as signed by the Knights in late August - https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rl ... gland-role The idea he isn't on or hasn't been on the NRL's radar is just wrong.
Using NRL interest as a the be all and end all quality gauge is a bit silly IMO, there's loads more to it than just "the NRL are more interested in Welsby, he must be a better player".
Even if their stats were all equal (which they aren't) Welsby would fit the age, Salary cap value and size profile better than either French or Field. Doesn't automatically make him a better player.
There's been no reports of NRL interest in Morgan Knowles this last couple of years but Kai Pearce Paul is already signed to the NRL and there's noise about Morgan Smithies too, are they, in your opinion, better players than Knowles??