: Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:57 am  

debaser wrote:

A hig shot from a Leeds player? I find that hard to believe.

What's much more hard to believe is the referee actually saw this one!

: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:22 am  

G1 wrote:

Burgess was poor Friday.

However, I'd have him at Leeds in a heart beat.

Leeds fans don't have hearts.

: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:59 am  

Burgess is still only 20. He's still young and learning and will continue getting better, it doesn't mean because he's the best young star in RL that he won't have a bad game.

It's funny though, when Kopczak has a bad game we get the usual: He's a work in progress, still young, learning etc. And he's 2 years older than Burgess!!!

Really, the lad needs no stick, he's had a couple of bad games, a couple of blinders and the rest have been good. That's what you'd expect from a youngster

: Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:56 pm  

Ewwenorfolk wrote:

Burgess is still only 20. He's still young and learning and will continue getting better, it doesn't mean because he's the best young star in RL that he won't have a bad game.

It's funny though, when Kopczak has a bad game we get the usual: He's a work in progress, still young, learning etc. And he's 2 years older than Burgess!!!

Really, the lad needs no stick, he's had a couple of bad games, a couple of blinders and the rest have been good. That's what you'd expect from a youngster

Exactly. There really are some numpties who think they know something about our game, they're the sort who expect immortals like Lockyer or Johns to come up with some never-before-seen amazing piece of skill every single time they touch the ball. Top players (and of bloody course I'm not comparing young Sam with Lockyer before some dumbo gets the wrong end of the stick) are top because of the heights they can reach, and the general level of their particular skills and abilities compared to the rest. It seems stating the obvious to say every player will have quiet spells, quiet games and make mistakes. And all the more so with youngsters. But seems it needs spelling out for some.

: Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:03 pm  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

It seems stating the obvious to say every player will have quiet spells, quiet games and make mistakes. And all the more so with youngsters.

Head the on nail.

: Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:15 pm  

With regards to being used as a battering ram, Cas seem to have the same concerns with Westerman. When we have Hall next season, as long as there are no injurues, I would like see Burgess have a whole season at LF, with occasional spells in SR. Burgess has too much ability and pace for prop.

: Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:27 pm  

I haven't rated Burgess that highly at loose forward, he doesn't seem to have the ability to move around quickly like a loose forward should. It's probably just because of the sheer size of the guy. I think we need to maximise the usage of his stature and abilities which are destructive and direct running, he's got to be on the flanks away from big forwards that can match him for size and strength. There arn't many second row forwards who are as big as Sam if he lined up against Tickle, Hansen, JJB, small forwards, they'd struggle to defend against him and he'd briush most off with ease. It's up to Macca to realise this though and play him in the second row, week in week out.

: Mon Jun 29, 2009 4:37 pm  

As long as sam's played either loose or SR i'm no too bothered as to exact position. I dont like it when we play him at prop as I feel he's wasted their. He generally seems to be more effective in SR/LF positions. Seems like england coach thinks so too. Sam can do a job at prop but he's better employed elsewhere.
I'd agree he's been a bit quiet last couple of games where hes played loose but its been against the top two teams in the league. I'd like to see him retain LF role for a couple more games against some slightly less gifted teams and see how he goes. If he stays quiet then Id shift menzies there, cant see any point putting langley at loose tbh.

: Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:29 pm  

mat wrote:

As long as sam's played either loose or SR i'm no too bothered as to exact position. I dont like it when we play him at prop as I feel he's wasted their. He generally seems to be more effective in SR/LF positions. Seems like england coach thinks so too. Sam can do a job at prop but he's better employed elsewhere.
I'd agree he's been a bit quiet last couple of games where hes played loose but its been against the top two teams in the league. I'd like to see him retain LF role for a couple more games against some slightly less gifted teams and see how he goes. If he stays quiet then Id shift menzies there, cant see any point putting langley at loose tbh.

There's a lot of Nail ont' head's on this board today.

: Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:59 pm  

I started this whole thing about Sam so i feel i should comment more.

What i saw in Sam Burgess last year, being a quality young forward who looked mean in defence and had a lot of flair and ability in attack hasn't come to fruition this year. He ambles about a lot and gets taken off after 20 mins because he's knackered.

If the same lad who was playing for us and GB...the one that hit Fui Fui Moi Moi into the following christmas...was playing on form we wouldnt be having this discussion.

However i started the thread because the way i see it, he's the worst forward in our pack at the minute. He does the least work and makes the most mistakes. Friday was a prime example. When he got taken off towards the end i dont think it was intended for him to come back on, however Whitehead seemed to take a knock and it was a necessity. On current form i'd drop/rest him and play a young lad. Look at Whitehead. Runs hard, tackles hard and has a lot of idea on the ball. Another one of them in second row for me.

So my issue is why is our "star man" of last season not performing this season and why is he also undroppable?