Widdop gets England call

[nqcowboy87]

sam tomkins make a good fullback, he seems a bit too small to be up in the frontline of defence

 

[nadera78]

Knee Reconstruction - out for the season.

That would explain it! LOL!

Honestly, these kids need to toughen up. Wrap a bandage around it and get back on the field!

 

[Johnny_L_O]

What about Ben Jones-Bishop, seriously he was fantastic in a struggling team before he copped a bad injury.

He will definately be the long term Leeds fb but not sure he's got tge speed to be a top international fb. Cudjoe and Widdop deffinately do. He's not slow though. Much quicker than Briscoe and Wellens.

 

[roughyedspud]

stephan hawkins is quicker than wellens...

 

[Mr Angry]

Slater's understudy Widdop makes name on Test stage

IAN LAYBOURN

June 15, 2010

Gareth Widdop pledged to build on his fairytale England debut as he prepared to fly back to Australia to continue his apprenticeship under Billy Slater.
The 21-year-old from Halifax, who emigrated with his family five years ago, represented his country after just two NRL appearances for Storm, where he is understudy to the game's leading fullback.
But he was an instant hit for England, scoring the first of 11 tries against France at Leigh Sports Village and providing the scoring passes for the next two four-pointers by Tom Briscoe and Sam Tomkins.

''I enjoyed it,'' he said after the 60-6 win. ''It was obviously a good experience for myself and hopefully I can get a few more games in the future. It happened so quickly. It was definitely a good start but you've got to look at the whole game. I was happy with the way it went.
''It was the first time we've met so obviously it's only ever going to improve and I'm definitely looking forward to the next few years.''
Widdop rated the experience better than wearing Slater's No.1 jersey for the first time against Canterbury last month. ''This is the best feeling I've ever had,'' he said. ''I enjoyed playing against the Bulldogs - that was a massive thrill - but this was one of the biggest highlights of my life. My dad [who flew over to watch the match] was over the moon.''
Widdop will have less travelling to do for his next international appearance, which is expected to be in Auckland on October 16 when England play a warm-up match for the Four Nations series in New Zealand and Australia.
Former Bradford forward Sam Burgess, who also made the journey along with second-row partner Gareth Ellis, said he would not hesitate to repeat the whistle-stop trip next year and believed a precedent had now been set.
''I felt a little bit tired at times but I love pulling on an England jersey,'' he said. ''I thoroughly enjoyed the few days in the camp with the boys. It will probably now be the case for years to come for myself and Gareth and other players if they decide to go over there.''

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...p-makes-name-on-test-stage-20100614-yack.html

Got a run and played well.

Good on him.

 

[roughyedspud]

he played very,very well..did'nt look out of place at all...had 17 carries for 199m..which more meters than anyone else on the field....and you just had to see the look on his face when he went over for that first try..theres no doubt where is loyalties lie...he's a dead set pom that lad..lol.


we just need him to get abit more NRL game time now...maybe i can send tonya harding over to melbourne to whack billy slater.. :lol:

 

[roughyedspud]

just watching the highlights again....i'll go as far as to say gareth widdop did more and showed more promise in the 1ST half than paul wellens showed in the 35 internationals he played for ENG & GB...

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

Does this prove to everyone that its the development of players in the lower grades of the NRL that make them superior now?

 

[Mr Angry]

No good players are good players.

The best comp is here, but the best players play in both.

 

[Raider_69]

If i were Don Furner and Canberra lose Dugan, id give this kid the 75% of money we set aside for Dugan. I think he's going to be a very very special player.
He'll be up there with Hayne, Coote and Dugan in the next 5 years as the best fullbacks in the game

 

[roughyedspud]

also...gareth widdops dad had £100 on gareth to score the 1st try @ 12/1 ...netted him £1200...lol

 

[jim_57]

I believe this now cements him as England's best fullback, let's be honest there's not much else in SL. He is inexperienced but already offers more than Briscoe and Wellens IMO. I would think that he will have strong competition in coming years though from Owen, Murphy, Cudjoe, Jones-Bishop and probably a few more. Alot of good young fullbacks coming through for England, now you just need some centres.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

IMO Leon Pryce would be a better fullback then five eight.

 

[roughyedspud]

he'd be a better centre

 

[JasonE]

he'd be a better centre

Thats why i would have in in the Four Nations squad, his versatility would be handy being able to cover every backline position except #7

 

[roughyedspud]

to be honest though i don't think he's really bothered that he's not involved anymore...

 

[stormbati]

If i were Don Furner and Canberra lose Dugan, id give this kid the 75% of money we set aside for Dugan. I think he's going to be a very very special player.
He'll be up there with Hayne, Coote and Dugan in the next 5 years as the best fullbacks in the game

You guys can have Slater

 

[Kurt Angle]

I remeber spotting Widdop in 2007...


http://forums.leagueunlimited.com/showthread.php?t=177318

Saw him for the Affiliated states u18's.

As I observed then he was the halfback then, and he did show good control of the team.

I think a Widdop half, eastman 5/8 combo would go well in the future.

 

[roughyedspud]

I think a Widdop half, eastman 5/8 combo would go well in the future.

other way round without a doubt....as i've said before widdop reminds me of darren lockyer