I think they arrive here in Australia on monday, how do they compare to the 4 previous touring teams ?

Saints have a great record of players kicking on to play SL following on from these tours, which players should i be keeping an eye for on the upcoming tour ?

I think it's pretty difficult to do a comparison with the previous tourists. I am sure they will do well.

In terms of players to watch, I would say Dave Hewitt is the obvious one. I have also been very impressed with Joe Ryan this year when I have watched the academy, so look out for him. Our scholarship side (under 16s) was the best in the country this year and there are some great players from that team who are going on tour. Watch out for Ricky Bailey and Lewis Hatton.

Can you come back on this thread during the next few weeks and keep us all updated?

www.ourfootyteam.com/index.php The last few tours have been reported on here?

www.ourfootyteam.com/index.php The last few tours have been reported on here?

Is this not a bit of a risk now the NRL cap has gone up so much? Is there anything stopping the NRL sides using this as a cherry picking exercise and taking the best four or five players from our touring side?

That's a good point. There was an interview with an agent in the League Express a few weeks ago who discussed something along these lines. If I remember rightly he stated that the Aussie academy players get significantly more money than their English counterparts. So this agent was talking about acting on behalf of and getting contracts in Aus for British junior players.

On the flip side, the chance of touring Aus is a good means of attracting the top junior players into saints academy.

I think that this is a poor point. Saints have stolen a march on all other SL clubs by introducing these tours. I am convinced that your youngsters, like previous touring teams, will advance their rugby education by 12 months in a matter of weeks. Well done to Eamon McManus and Co. for having the foresight.

Your spot on. I think it's brilliant that saints do the academy tour. It gives the lads the chance to play at the highest level and to be full time players for their time away. Plus, in addition to our grade one status it's another reason for the top juniors to come to saints. I was just pointing out that there are agents looking to sign up British junior players with Aussie clubs.

Surely it would be a massive gamble for Aussie clubs to poach players of that age. They have yet to complete their education and uprooting them is going to be risky.

I think they'll be safe atm.

The secondary cap in aus has always been bigger than ours hasn't it?

Also I remember reading somewhere that Penrith alone scout 7000 young players a year - a few more wont matter!



Even if we do lose 1 or 2 to the Aussies, we probably gain 3x as many of the top youngsters signing for us for the aus trip and the experience

I understand your point of view but that has not happened in the past. Mind you, the mere pittance paid to youngsters in SL could have a bearing on that in the future. Good luck and well done to all those involved in the trip.

The Dragons have named a strong team for the game tomorow v St Helens. They have an Australian u18 player in the backrow, SG ball player of the year in the centres and most of the others have played at a high level.
Tough game first up for your boys, looking forward to a big day tomorrow, The Australian WC squad are having their final training run before leaving for England then the Junior Kangaroos play the Junior Kiwis in a test match.
After its St Helens v St George Dragons.

They can't be looking forward to this, it's about 36 degrees and windy, awful conditions for RL