Haven't we had our fingers burned enough from down under? We should be aiming for 1 or 2 quality imports if we are in SL next year with the emphasis very much on quality. Dipping into the reserve/junior divisions to beef up the squad should be a thing of the past.

1 or 2 big marquee signings to catch the imagination and increase the quality of the side should be the limit and the likes of Korkidas, Henderson, Tony, Smith etc shouldn't be replaced with more of the same.

Absolutely right, we ales used to give the Aussies at least one good game, and as often as not beat the new zealanders.
Now NZ have caught the Aussies up and we're heading backwards, in twenty years, we will be struggling against PNG and France!!
Good old Super League, an abject failure.
Bring back the premierships, stones bitter, northern pride and watching little lads and fat lads on scrumdown!!!!

I think it is clear that New Zealand have not only caught us up but are now streets a head of us again. The fact that they have won the World Cup and the 4 nations confirms this for me.

Many of the skills of yesteryear disappeared with the 10 metre rule (as opposed to 6 yards).
The modern game is more of a power game, having said that there are plenty of quality players about, its jusat that most of them dont have an English accent.

I didn't want to be the one to say it!

I'd like to know though.

Players like Pat Richards might not even get in the 5th string side.

I'm not sure if it's the skill factor with NZ all the fact they have a vastly superior mentality to us.

We aren't that far off the pace against them usually but they can take Oz any time they want, something we can only dream of doing.

franchising has seemed to make on field things less important as say stadia, so it really doesn't matter how you play so why bother about it ?

the sharks/ storm alliance have just announced their second string team for this week...

this team WOULD win any game in SL this week, even the sharks fans are amazed at its depth and quality!

1 Ryan Tongia
2 Isac Gordon
3 Dean Collis
4 Beau Champion
5 Anthony Quinn
6 Jason McGrady
7 Tim Smith
8 Siosaia Vave
9 Paul Aiton
10 Johnny Mannah
11 Jarred Farlow
12 Atelea Vea
13 Broderick Wright

INTERCHANGE
14 Andrew Clayton
15 Robbie Rochow
16 Jake Hawkins
17 Kose Lelei
21 Ricky Leutele

Is that the Vave we were linked to at the end of last season? Would be nice to have Champion, Quinn and Smith in our side. Paul Aiton ain't bad either

That is a scarily good 'second string' side; I agree, it would probably beat any of the top 8 with ease.

Just watched Newcastle and they had a 7 on debut and he was awesome, he had tried at the cowboys and had a couple of goes and I think he was 24 and suddenly it clicked at Newcastle on his debut, good kicking, fast and crazy step. Looked completely at home. Stigg he was called.

There is also some very average players in that team, i watch them every week because my nephew is in that team. To suggest they would win any SL game is just rubbish. I think a lot of you English RL fans are totally obsessed with Australian players, they're not all superhuman.