Quote: Adam_Harrison9 "Is Heighington or whatever, actually any good? Haven't seen anything of him. Is he any better than the likes of Farrell, Kirmond and the burgess brothers? Or does he get picked just because he plays in the NRL?'"
The Burgess boys are ripping it up in the NRL, apart from Luke. Heighington is a player that does not always stand out but he is the kind of player that does the small things right. He is the solid reliable backrow forward who will be near too of the tackle count and hit ups week in week out.
When I speak to people about International Call Up's (not necessarily on here) there seems to be a bit if a stigma about NRL players and are they really that much better. Sadly the answer is yes, the standard of competition has never been wider in my opinion and getting a regular start in the NRL must put you in contention for an England shirt due to the standard and intensity you play at week in week out.
The Bugress boys (all 4)
Heighington
Reed
Widdop
Graham
Scott Moore is the only lad who is probably not worth a place in the squad but he struggles at Queensland Cowboys in a team who have used 5 or 6 hookers this year due to lacking any quality in that position.
All for me should be walk ins to the squad with probably all except Luke Burgess a great chance of a place in the 17 although I would concede Heighton would be borderline.
I actually think Kirmond has the kind of game that would see him get a game in the NRL, hard working 100% attitude but sadly for all British based Super League players, the standard if competition we play at week in week out does not help in my opinion when it comes to International like for like selection against a player in the NRL.