Wellens never had bags of pace but he's been a fantastic fullback for years.
Well done Matty.

As was Keith Mumby

One of Matty's best games very,very good performance.

Well they were stupid to scoff at it, keeps improving this way and one day he will be.

Some fans seem to think that you're born with the right to be an international, especially if you play for certain clubs. I happen to believe you should earn it and the fact that you have not made it as an international at 25 does not mean you can't be one at 27. We bin players in this country far to early, again especially if they don't play for a bigger club. The Aussies don't, many don't get SOO or International honours until late in their careers when they are usually mature enough to cope.

It will take an injury or two for him to get a chance, but whilst ever he plays like this he will be in with a shout, and that is what all players should do.

It's funny how some players get marked for success and others don't. I like Atkins but is he as good a centre at the moment as Blaymire is at F/B. I would suggest he is still an apprentice whilst Blaymire is nearing that of a craftsman. Yet no one finds it strange to support Atkins International credentials but not Blaymire, Brough or Snitch who are all far better in their chosen positions at present - very strange.

maybe with atkins it's because he performed at a level from a young age whereby honours were highly likely if he continued developing at that pace. i have just watched the first hlf hour of the leeds game for the first time and to be fair to atkins he performed well and matched senior in both defense and attack. when i get chance to watch the rest it will be interesting to see how different my opinion of his performance is having seen it again

Not dumping on Atkins got all the potential in the world, just interests me how the reputations of some players are formed compared to others.

know what you mean. blaymire's only drawback is his pace but wellens has managed without it. cant be assed to check the stats but isn't he our top scorer?

I think Matt is quicker than Wellens and faster than people think but he isn't blistering that's for sure. However he plays smart and is usually in the right place and that beats the dumb speed pocessed by the likes of Kevin Penny any day.

Most improved player trophy should go to him the year hes been outstanding. Extra yard of pace would be handy but christ he is safe and he is looking great!

check out the average age of QLD SOO team, and dont forget to take into account Price and Civoneceva you may be shocked

for me he plods the ball back in rather than an injection of speed to get more yards

If Blaymire had the pace i think he would develop into a world class fullback Wellens as being a bloody good fullback the best in SL for many years but hes never being true international class you need pace to play FB as we all saw when GB played Oz and NZ Wellens was found out big time

World class this is the problem over here the way we just throw the term Worls class around like its normal, and I blame sky for it. Blaymire is a good player at this level, and can become a very good player, but he will never be WC.

Billy Slater, Brent Webb, Anthony Minicello, Preston Campbell, Carmichael Hunt, are Class full backs of the moment, or very recent in Minicello's case, are you suggesting he is any way near that ability level ?

IMHO a World class player is one who can make a difference at International level, against the best in the World, not just an International, and again IMHO we have only had 15 World class players in differing positions at the most in the last 20 years