: Mon Aug 03, 2009 2:57 pm  

tvoc wrote:

It's not a name that means anything to me.

Is he regarded as a right or left centre in the NRL?

Left as far as I know. But on Rhinos site it says he's Lee Smith's replacement.

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 3:12 pm  

Has any Australian rugby league player ever come to England for anything but money?

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 3:15 pm  

rpw wrote:

Left as far as I know. But on Rhinos site it says he's Lee Smith's replacement.

Potentially a bit like when Scott Donald replaced Mark Calderwood and Clinton Toopi replaced Chev Walker despite both playing on the opposite flank in the NRL.

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 3:15 pm  

Tony Soprano wrote:

Has any Australian rugby league player ever come to England for anything but money?

Sailor came for `Hills

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 3:25 pm  

tvoc wrote:

It's not a name that means anything to me.

Is he regarded as a right or left centre in the NRL?

Richie Mathers says in the YEP that he's a left centre but i've seen the Titans a few times this season and everytime Delaney plays right centre, Esi Tonga is there left centre.

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 3:28 pm  

LS14 RHINO wrote:

Richie Mathers says in the YEP that he's a left centre but i've seen the Titans a few times this season and everytime Delaney plays right centre, Esi Tonga is there left centre.

Versatile by the sounds of it. That's a plus point.

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:03 pm  

tvoc wrote:

Versatile by the sounds of it. That's a plus point.

Rightly or wrongly, its not seen as being significant by the management when discussing threequarters.

Over recent years Toopi, Gibson, Senior, Watkins, Ratu have all played in both centre positions.

Whether its the best use of them is another arguemnet

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:13 pm  

England international centre replaced by average Aussie journeyman.

I would have expected better from the Rhino's who are probably one of the better clubs at bringing through young british talent.

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:28 pm  

- Neil - wrote:

England international centre replaced by average Aussie journeyman.

I would have expected better from the Rhino's who are probably one of the better clubs at bringing through young british talent.

Which young British centre is better than this current NRL regular?
The only British options are:
Atkins
Shenton
Yeaman

or from our academy:
Ratu
Watkins
Gibson

Now Atkins simply isnt good enough and Yeaman and Shenton are both under contract until the end of 2010 at least.
So you're saying we have to pick from our academy.
Gibson appears to be on his way to Cas next year, so that leaves Ratu and Watkins, neither of whom are ready for 1st team rugby every single week.
It's not an unreasonable signing.

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:28 pm  

- Neil - wrote:

England international centre replaced by average Aussie journeyman.

I would have expected better from the Rhino's who are probably one of the better clubs at bringing through young british talent.

Wouldn't that be a bit like Scott Donald replacing Mark Calderwood..