Name two players from the Rugby World Cup that you would love to see in the NRL

[Cloudsurfer]

Mathew Ridge? May not have been the up there with the best but did alright

Israel Dagg, Kaino & Kahui.

 

[crocodile]

"There is NO ONE on display in the RWC that would walk into a test or origin jumper in League. And that includes that stupid git with his name tatooed across his back."

I don't think any from the recent league test would walk straight in to the Wallabies or the All Blacks either. That doesn't mean that they can't play.

 

[aqua_duck]

Mathew Ridge? May not have been the up there with the best but did alright

Israel Dagg, Kaino & Kahui.

Craig Innes wasn't too bad either

 

[crocodile]

Ray Price was a complete nuffy too I s'pose.

 

[Squatdog]

Has there been a League player gone to Yawnion and failed?

Craig Innes.

Was star centre for the premiership-winning Manly side and couldn't even make the Blues squad in Super Rugby.

LOL!

 

[Usain Bolt]

Craig Innes.

Was star centre for the premiership-winning Manly side and couldn't even make the Blues squad in Super Rugby.

LOL!

Craig Innes was an All Black before he crossed to league

 

[Loudstrat]

You mustn't have watched the same game as me because Gasnier tore Utai a new one that game, I don't think Utai tackled him once it was only due to the Dragons inability to give Gasnier that early ball that saved Utai's fat arse

Duncan McRae never played for the Wallabys, the others were superstars in league and it surprised no one when they made it. Garrick Morgan was a stupid signing by the Crushers, Morgan was a line out specialist in Union and was never a noted ball runner.

Howe good they were in League is not the point, although the creaming the pommy Unionised made over Jason Robinson's international union contribution was far above his efforts in League. Yes, he played for GB. But as a cross field crab who would get smashed eventually before making the type of inroads that players like Offiah, Gill or even a young Leon Pryce did.

As for rugby players, you're kidding yourself if you think SBW wouldn't walk straight back into the kiwi team. Also I'll name you a few rugby blokes who done alright; Ben Kennedy wasn't too bad, JWH had never played a game of league before 08 and was already a kiwi rep by 09, Jarrod Saffy was a Saffer would probably never knew what league was growing up and yet managed to win himself a premiership ring, Milton Thaiday was signed out of alcoholics anonymous pretty much and he looked like a world beater at times in the NRL.
Why do some insecure league fans have this attitude "league players are the best, if you like any other sport you have a small dick"

SBW is a fringe international - he was dropped from the tri nations final and comes off the bench, does he not. A lot depends on his fitness and skill set. Back in 08 he was tailor made for League. Now, however, that is debatable.

And remember the League transfers bar SBW never needed 12 months to fit in. Many were signed for the national side.

Re Kennedy, there are stacks of players who were guns in the juniors but swapped codes before first grade. You could just as easily mention Sticky and Wally as well. Likewise, there are plenty of potential first graders in the RWC like JWH, Saffy and Thaiday. Did they play club first grade in union?

"There is NO ONE on display in the RWC that would walk into a test or origin jumper in League. And that includes that stupid git with his name tatooed across his back."

I don't think any from the recent league test would walk straight in to the Wallabies or the All Blacks either. That doesn't mean that they can't play.

The Kiwis are the weakest squad, but Marshall could name his price and get a start next week.

The Wallabies, well, it's not a question of which Kangaroos would get a gig, but which wouldnt. Heather, JT and Hindy have already knocked back Wallaby coin. If Slater, Uate, Inglis, Smith, Hayne, Snake, Smith, Hodges or Gallen made the phone call they would be offered top contracts.

BTW, I never knew Ray Price played in this years world cup! The question is about 2 players in the RWC going into the NRL. I assume that refers to a club signing a player for a major role in it's FG squad in the way that Parramatta were talking about Quade Cooper. Not signing someone to be ready for first grade in half a season.

 

[firechild]

Mathew Ridge? May not have been the up there with the best but did alright

Ridge was probably the best fullback in the game from 94-96. He was a pretty significant part of the reason Manly made 2 grand finals in that time.

 

[typicalfan]

"There is NO ONE on display in the RWC that would walk into a test or origin jumper in League. And that includes that stupid git with his name tatooed across his back."

I don't think any from the recent league test would walk straight in to the Wallabies or the All Blacks either. That doesn't mean that they can't play.

Uate is by far better than someone like Ioane. Much bigger, stronger, and all round a better athlete. He would take his spot without sweat.

The difficulty is the awareness but I still think he would stand out.

 

[crocodile]

The Kiwis are the weakest squad, but Marshall could name his price and get a start next week.

Benji is pretty good but he needs to prove himself first without the luxury of a 10m rule. Might take more than a week. He won't walk straight in.

The Wallabies, well, it's not a question of which Kangaroos would get a gig, but which wouldnt. Heather, JT and Hindy have already knocked back Wallaby coin. If Slater, Uate, Inglis, Smith, Hayne, Snake, Smith, Hodges or Gallen made the phone call they would be offered top contracts.

Why shouldn't they be offered top contracts. They are fine footballers. Slater is excellent but lacks a kicking game to just slot straight in to FB. Uate is also quality but no good under the high balls. No doubt Hayne could transfer easy if he wanted. Nobody knows how Inglis or Hodges would go until their positional play in defence was seen. Smith and Gallen would make awesome open side flankers. Just because they are good doesn't mean they are instant starters.

BTW, I never knew Ray Price played in this years world cup! The question is about 2 players in the RWC going into the NRL. I assume that refers to a club signing a player for a major role in it's FG squad in the way that Parramatta were talking about Quade Cooper. Not signing someone to be ready for first grade in half a season.

Never said he did play this year.

If we had this argument back in 2003, the obvious answers would have been Sailor, Rogers and Tequiri. All looked good in first grade, but none nowhere near emulating their Union careers after returning. And that was with the benefit of a considerable League pedigree to fall back on.

Rogers I thought came back very polished, and was great for the Titans. Sailor struggled with the flab early on, but proved a good asset on the wing. Tequiri has been a good finisher without doing much else, and came back with a Union wingers work ethic. Remember when we lost them though - it was the start of the big panic about losing players, but in reality Union never really got anyone decent after then - SBW aside (although arguably SBW's mental capacity stopped long before he went).

The point is that these were the elite in a backline far better than the current Wobblies.

The Yawnion world cup has not thrown up a genuine superstar since Jonah Lomu emerged 20 years ago. Meaning somewhere like Keebra Park High is a better breeding ground for RL talent than the Yawnion world cup.

NRL players who struggle to get a rep jumper like Bowen, Hornby, Hilder, Merrit and Burt would kill it in Union.

You should read what yiou write. None of the above played this year either.

 

[crocodile]

Uate is by far better than someone like Ioane. Much bigger, stronger, and all round a better athlete. He would take his spot without sweat.

The difficulty is the awareness but I still think he would stand out.

Take his spot my arse. I love watching Uate play. He's a great attacking winger. Ioane is on a different page altogether in defence and fielding kicks.

 

[Loudstrat]

I was using the parralel between the quality of the Wallabies side which was a FG away from winning, and this one. Price was brought up by someone responding erroneously to my suggestion that none of the current RWC players would be a bit hit at any club - so much so that they would be worthwhile throwing enough coin at.

Besides, Slater might not be a Union fullback. I bet he has a good kicking game too if he ever needs it.

 

[Loudstrat]

Take his spot my arse. I love watching Uate play. He's a great attacking winger. Ioane is on a different page altogether in defence and fielding kicks.

When is fielding a kick in Union harder than what Uate would cop in League? Someone puts a cross fierld bomb up and he's potentially got Vatuvei/Inglis/T Rex/Pritchard/Taylor charging at him. Think Brett Stewart in the 07 gf when he got creamed by Slater and Crocker. Whats the chance of that happening to a fullback in Union 4 or 5 times per game?

 

[crocodile]

Besides, Slater might not be a Union fullback. I bet he has a good kicking game too if he ever needs it.

I'm sure he could learn it. He's done just about everything else. He has some bits of a kicking game - that little chip and regather. Now that's classy.

 

[crocodile]

When is fielding a kick in Union harder than what Uate would cop in League? Someone puts a cross fierld bomb up and he's potentially got Vatuvei/Inglis/T Rex/Pritchard/Taylor charging at him. Think Brett Stewart in the 07 gf when he got creamed by Slater and Crocker. Whats the chance of that happening to a fullback in Union 4 or 5 times per game?

It's not harder at all. Uate is just not particularly good at it. That kills off any threat he poses to the current wingers. Like it or not, kicking for field position is used more in the 15 man game. League guys tend to use the kick at the end of the tackle count.

 

[Squatdog]

Craig Innes was an All Black before he crossed to league

...and?



Here's another one:

Willie Carne

 

[Squatdog]

Howe good they were in League is not the point, although the creaming the pommy Unionised made over Jason Robinson's international union contribution was far above his efforts in League. Yes, he played for GB. But as a cross field crab who would get smashed eventually before making the type of inroads that players like Offiah, Gill or even a young Leon Pryce did

Robinson 'sucked' so bad that he played 300 matches for Wigan and 21 tests for England/Great Britain.

Howe good they were in League is not the point, although the creaming the pommy Unionised made over Jason Robinson's international union contribution was far above his efforts in League. Yes, he played for GB. But as a cross field crab who would get smashed eventually before making the type of inroads that players like Offiah, Gill or even a young Leon Pryce did.
Quote:

$BW would walk back into the Kiwis once he had a few NRL games under his belt.

The Kiwis are the weakest squad, but Marshall could name his price and get a start next week.

Ahead of who, Dan Carter???

It must be wonderful to live in your fantasy world.

 

[aqua_duck]

This kind of reminds me of when people said cutie was going to kill it in AFL

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Take his spot my arse. I love watching Uate play. He's a great attacking winger. Ioane is on a different page altogether in defence and fielding kicks.

Digby :lol: is on a different page alright. The 15 luckiest human beings in Australia are the ones that get handed fluorescent yellow rugby jerseys 10 times a year.
Uate is 786 times the player Digby :lol: is.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Robinson 'sucked' so bad that he played 300 matches for Wigan and 21 tests for England/Great Britain.
$BW would walk back into the Kiwis once he had a few NRL games under his belt.



Ahead of who, Dan Carter???
It must be wonderful to live in your fantasy world.

Good to see the union mental cases getting a run in this thread. How's Vichy France going, still heaven on earth?