Stuart Fielden.

[Coastbloke]

How is Stuart Fielden doing these days?

Why didn't he play in the recent Test series against NZ? Has he retired from International footy and won't play in the World Cup...??

 

[deluded pom?]

Tony Smith rightfully decided that his form didn't merit international selection. Fielden is still available to play Tests/internationals if chosen.

 

[The Clan]

Despite what many might say on the various forums Fielden has been very good in internationals until 2006 Tri Nations.

IMO he has played too much rugby from too young an age and is completely burned out.
The Tri Nations in 2006 was a step too far, he should'nt have beeen selected in the first place as his form was suffering. He had been placed under huge pressure by the £440,000 transfer and the following fightagainst relegation by Wigan. Then he lost his mother just days before the Test team left for Australia, his head clearly was'nt on playing Rugby League yet Noble still pushed him into playing. Willie Masons punch was the last thing he needed in the state of mind he was in and the physical meltdown his body was experiencing.

Tony Smith did the right thing for many reasons and the rest should have done Fielden the world of good.

I hope he comes back in top form for Wigan and regains his Test place on merit.

He faces some heavy competition from a new band of front rowers headed by James Graham and Sam Burgess.

 

[Kurt Angle]

He faces some heavy competition from a new band of front rowers headed by James Graham and Sam Burgess.

Competition for spots, while it may not be the best for Stuart Fielden, is the best thing for the England RL team.

As much as I've admired Fielden in the past, he is not bigger than the game.

 

[jed]

The Tri Nations in 2006 was a step too far, he should'nt have beeen selected in the first place as his form was suffering.

Having Nobby as the GB coach, after he'd been with him so long at Bradford and then luring him over to Wigan mid-season, I think he would have been one of the certainties for the series, irrespective of form.

Stu's not the player he was before, and I am skeptical (although happy to be proven wrong) that he'll ever regain the form he showed for the Bulls.

 

[MKEB...]

He faces some heavy competition from a new band of front rowers headed by James Graham and Sam Burgess.

And damned good competition that is...Thank heavens you got rid of that fat b4stard Paul Anderson. How the hell did he get a GB jumper.

In all Honesty, for the good of the game (and his own good) I hope the same thing that happened to Fielden doesnt happen to Burgess.

 

[roughyedspud]

i'll stick up for paul anderson..he ran hard and ran strong for GB and very rarely took a backwards step..


as for fielden...he needed stepping down from international RL for a series because he was burnt out,the problem is he'll struggle to get back in now..i can only guess at how many props tony smith will take to the world cup but baring injuries you have to got with peacock,morley,graham,fa'asavalu,burgess plus 1 or 2 others?

another thing is the GB pack is very versatile at the moment..burgess can play anywhere in the pack and peacock,morley & graham can play up front or in the 2nd row.. does fielden add that kind of ability to england?

like i said he might struggle to get back in imo..

 

[Evil Homer]

Paul Anderson was a legend. Maybe not as suited for the modern day game but he didn't do too badly for himself.

 

[Kurt Angle]

i'll stick up for paul anderson..he ran hard and ran strong for GB and very rarely took a backwards step..

Not so much a backward step.. more like facing backwards towards to get back behind his try line to wait in the ingoal during the conversion, after Anderson let in yet ANOTHER try due to lack of mobility.