Quote: Big lads mate "Yes he was, then played at Dewsbury with Jordan when Jordan was on loan, good no nonsense forward who did the basics. Similar build to Battie, I haven’t watched him for a couple of seasons now so wether he’s SL standard I don’t know, but a good kid on and off the field.'"
That’s half the battle.
Anyway what is a SL standard player? My answer is any half decent player who wants to be.
Natural ability or freakish physicality helps of course it does but without attitude and desire it’s nothing.
You only have to look at the U17 and U15 international teams of the past to see how few make it. Being those ages many players appear better than they are due to physical attributes. Once that equals out they can’t hack it.
I know nothing of this lad but if he’s got over the disappointment of not graduating from his academy club but has still forged a career and got noticed there must be something there.
Huge weakness of the British game is the lack of second chances. I’d vote all day long on these players than past it NRL players. Especially with forwards where pure enthusiasm and bravery will get you a long way.