Re: Aussies picked for GB : Fri Oct 18, 2019 7:45 am  

Superted wrote:

Whilst I agree somewhat with this sentiment, there is a big difference. Australia and NZ have always raised the Pacific Islands of their BEST players - playing for Aus/NZ was always a massive step up. What GB are doing is using the same rules to borrow rejects from another tier 1 nation - that's a significant difference.

Purely on pride and building a strong team culture, we should only be picking players who have British citizenship - even if the rules allow otherwise. Picking Australian players who aren't good enough to get a game for them smacks of desperation, and will have an impact (no matter how small, subtle or sub-conscious) as it shows that our players aren't as good as their counterparts in the green and gold.

Surely, picking the best side available within the rules is the only way to go.
The pride and passion may get the supporters going a bit but, the reality is that good professional players can always lift themselves for big games and they thrive under pressure. As a nation, our inability to produce a decent halfback pairing for over 30 years has left us coming second (or worse) and some success on the field may just inspire the next generation.
As for "will have an impact (no matter how small, subtle or sub-conscious) as it shows that our players aren't as good as their counterparts in the green and gold", our "all English/British" side hasn't mustered enough of this to beat the Aussies in a series for years and maybe, a little bit of quality in the halves may get us over the line.
I believe that our current crop of forwards is better than both Aussie and New Zealand but, our backs are a little way behind and our half backs (apart from Widdop) have been bang average.

Re: Aussies picked for GB : Fri Oct 18, 2019 8:49 am  

JEAN CAPDOUZE wrote:

Why was Samuel Tomkins not been picked? He has shown glimpses of brilliance in 2019.

Because he is now semi retired in the south of France like the majority of players that sign a contract with the Catalan Dragons.

Re: Aussies picked for GB : Fri Oct 18, 2019 1:58 pm  

wrencat1873 wrote:

Surely, picking the best side available within the rules is the only way to go.
The pride and passion may get the supporters going a bit but, the reality is that good professional players can always lift themselves for big games and they thrive under pressure. As a nation, our inability to produce a decent halfback pairing for over 30 years has left us coming second (or worse) and some success on the field may just inspire the next generation.
As for "will have an impact (no matter how small, subtle or sub-conscious) as it shows that our players aren't as good as their counterparts in the green and gold", our "all English/British" side hasn't mustered enough of this to beat the Aussies in a series for years and maybe, a little bit of quality in the halves may get us over the line.
I believe that our current crop of forwards is better than both Aussie and New Zealand but, our backs are a little way behind and our half backs (apart from Widdop) have been bang average.

I do get that point, if they're better than our 'British' alternatives, they'll improve the team. But then, their own squad members know that they're only in the team as a 2nd option, and that they're not good enough to get a game for our key opposition - it's a bad look.

Ultimately, international sport shouldn't be like club sport where you 'buy in' the best possible talent - it's about representing the country you call 'home'. I'm actually all for heritage players being allowed - the Pacific island heritage players show how much pride they have to represent their family, and that's why Coote is the most palatable given his history playing for Scotland. But I wouldn't want any player who would prefer to be playing origin. We're a tier 1 nation, GB is the pinnacle, we shouldn't cheapen the Jersey with any other countries cast offs, even if they are better than the alternative and the rules permit it.

I'd rather see us lose valiantly with 17 British players.

Re: Aussies picked for GB : Fri Oct 18, 2019 4:11 pm  

I'm not for going back to country of birth as that does not make sense even for global passport regulations.

Would prefer eligiblity to be based on holding a valid passport for the country you represent to be the rule.

It would be a bizzare state of affairs if say the English team won the World Cup in Australia, but one of the key players who helped the team was not eligible to come for any homecoming celebrations due to having to wait for a visa application.

But it has to be the same for all teams, us going solo will not help us and probably would put us at risk with employment rights.

Re: Aussies picked for GB : Fri Oct 18, 2019 4:50 pm  

I would say are Austin, Hastings, Coote a significant upgrade on Lomax, Hardaker, Widdop, Williams, Tomkins and Trueman? I would personally say maybe better in some instances but not significantly.

I don't think we have to go down the avenue of picking Aussies that choose to play for us because they can't make the Aussie rep teams. I do however see Coote as fair choice as he has represented Scotland already and as this is GB makes sense.

Anyway, is what it is and we have been here before- chase Heighington Faisivlalu..

Re: Aussies picked for GB : Sat Oct 19, 2019 8:34 am  

Pretty disgraceful picking all these non British players, sends out a wrong message to all the upcoming young British players. I for one will not be watching any of the GB tour.

Also we are losing far too many players to the NRL Australia will not pick players not playing in the NRL so we need to do the same. You Dont play in super league you are not eligible for national side.

Re: Aussies picked for GB : Sat Oct 19, 2019 8:39 am  

Hang on England haven’t just lost have they?

I’m just trying to think what would cause an embarrassing over reaction...

Re: Aussies picked for GB : Sat Oct 19, 2019 4:26 pm  

rollin thunder wrote:

Pretty disgraceful picking all these non British players, sends out a wrong message to all the upcoming young British players. I for one will not be watching any of the GB tour.

Also we are losing far too many players to the NRL Australia will not pick players not playing in the NRL so we need to do the same. You Dont play in super league you are not eligible for national side.

If you think that would stop players going to the NRL you are delusional. They would turn down England/GB without even giving it a second thought!

Re: Aussies picked for GB : Sat Oct 19, 2019 4:49 pm  

How absurd for Wayne Bennett not to have selected Samuel Tomkins in the Great Britain Lions squad. He has shown in the Downer Nines that he is miles ahead in attacking skills of not only the shameful Zachary Hardaker, but also Blake Austin, Lachlan Coote, and even the Salford Flash, Jackson Hastings.

How lucky the wonderful French people are to be able to see him play almost every week during the Super League season for Catalans Dragons.

Re: Aussies picked for GB : Sat Oct 19, 2019 7:06 pm  

Superted wrote:

Whilst I agree somewhat with this sentiment, there is a big difference. Australia and NZ have always raised the Pacific Islands of their BEST players - playing for Aus/NZ was always a massive step up. What GB are doing is using the same rules to borrow rejects from another tier 1 nation - that's a significant difference.

Purely on pride and building a strong team culture, we should only be picking players who have British citizenship - even if the rules allow otherwise. Picking Australian players who aren't good enough to get a game for them smacks of desperation, and will have an impact (no matter how small, subtle or sub-conscious) as it shows that our players aren't as good as their counterparts in the green and gold.

Totally agree, I actually feel a little for those who are that desperate that they desire to win at any cost employing anyone who wants to show up, I would much sooner be a gallant second watching and cheering on my country men, that being those I can Identify with and share their pride, passion and belonging.