How is it?

Loads of contracts have early break/settlement charges in them. You speak as if these things don't happen.

For clarity I said "the club or the player". I dont give two hoots whether this came from Canberra or Smithies. I do give two hoots that Wigan Warriors received compensation or a transfer fee (dress it up whichever way you choose) for a contracted player, who we didnt want to lose, to depart for another club.

I dont like the idea of nurturing and developing players into outstanding talents, only for them to leave mid-contract for nothing.

Why is it a ridiculous statement, it happens in all forms of employment, if the employer invests time and money into training someone, I for one did a degree funded by my employer and I had to sign an agreement that said if I left the company within a set time period I would have to repay back the cost of the course.

I don't think some of the players are that poor they could not afford some form of 'get out clause' plus it is also about the players making a commitment to the club and the club reaping the benefits of their time and investment, now I for one don't neccessarily think we should be asking players to pay to get out of a contract, nor do I think we shoud be holding players to their contracts if they have a desire to take the next step up and we can get compensation from somewhere, but to say it is a ridiculous statement is a bit far off the mark and not the point I think that was trying to be made in the first place.

He's got the 13 shirt for the Raiders opening fixture and K P-P has made the bench for the Knights, well done to both of them

Only seen a few photos of KPP in action for Newcastle but he looked to have packed the muscle on since his move.

Looking forward to seeing how he goes.

Hope to see both go well. They’re chalk and cheese in playing styles but both have the games to really thrive. They’ll love Smithies aggression and workrate and KPP will be a handful running the ball wide and we’ll hopefully see a bit more of his offload game.

According to rugbyleagueontv on twitter, Newcastle v Canberra has been dropped from the Sky schedule tomorrow.

Really impressive debut from Smithies. They'll love his style over there and as gutting as it is to lose a lad like that, I think he's done the right thing for his career. The things he's exceptional at are valued massively in the NRL and he'll enhance his reputation massively. It's good to see these lads getting out of their comfort zones and testing themselves, even if you'd rather they stayed at Wigan.

Yes, very good debut. Kept himself busy, especially second half. Had the ball stripped one on one towards the end but other than that a rock solid performance. They'll love him over there. KPP got on for Newcastle in the second half. Nice couple of offloads from him and the commentators were impressed with his size. Looks to have filled out a bit. Two good lads who will flourish in the NRL

Yeah. Is the English game in such bad shape? I keep reading Aussie fans saying what a rubbish comp SL is, and didn't Gus Gould say Penrith would declare at half-time against Saints? I don't think so, despite the best efforts of the RFL! The NRL's best team has played Saints and Wigan, and only scored 12 points against each in two defeats. Which doesn't win you many games. Unless, of course, going by today's results, you are actually playing Penrith. In which case, it seems sometimes a mere eight points are sufficient! And I think Morgan and KPP will be good additions to the NRL.