Re: Johnstone v Olpherts : Fri Feb 21, 2020 10:46 am  

For TJ to make it in the NRL he needs to improve his all-round defensive game - it's why Bennett ignored him for England

That said, we all know our overall defensive weakness for leaving wingers isolated/having to come inside to follow their centre

Re: Johnstone v Olpherts : Fri Feb 21, 2020 11:20 am  

steve1g wrote:

For TJ to make it in the NRL he needs to improve his all-round defensive game - it's why Bennett ignored him for England

That said, we all know our overall defensive weakness for leaving wingers isolated/having to come inside to follow their centre

Rubbish he never managed to make the place his AS YET due to injuries

Re: Johnstone v Olpherts : Fri Feb 21, 2020 12:11 pm  

A hat trick on debut but dropped by Bennett for the next match - got to be some reason why a hat trick didn't cement his place

Re: Johnstone v Olpherts : Fri Feb 21, 2020 12:18 pm  

steve1g wrote:

A hat trick on debut but dropped by Bennett for the next match - got to be some reason why a hat trick didn't cement his place

Because the hat trick was scored in a 44-6 win over a very very poor side in France.

Re: Johnstone v Olpherts : Fri Feb 21, 2020 12:22 pm  

and the next game up was v. NZ who would test any defensive frailties

Re: Johnstone v Olpherts : Fri Feb 21, 2020 12:23 pm  

Wollo-Wollo-Wollo-Wayoo wrote:

I'll just be pleased if Eden is not out there. For all his faults he always seems to punish us with ball in hand.

Wiki says Olpherts is born in Wakey but what's his background pre Dewsbury signing? Surprised how old he is, 28.

Played up at Sharlston as well.

Re: Johnstone v Olpherts : Fri Feb 21, 2020 3:40 pm  

steve1g wrote:

For TJ to make it in the NRL he needs to improve his all-round defensive game - it's why Bennett ignored him for England

That said, we all know our overall defensive weakness for leaving wingers isolated/having to come inside to follow their centre

This is just your opinion, you have no idea if Bennett thought that. It is quite incredible what some posters claim they know

TJ defence would almost certainly improve if he were in the NRL no doubt but it’s no barrier to him going, it’s nonsense to say it is in my opinion.

For reasons I’m not sure if people have picked on Toms defence for years, yet most people see little wrong with it. Is a matter of opinion but it seems desperate time.

One thing I’m certain of, you don’t have any idea what Bennett thinks, not sure he does.

Re: Johnstone v Olpherts : Fri Feb 21, 2020 4:17 pm  

TJ was never getting a game against NZ that year. It was Makinson and McGilvary all day long. Makinson had only just got in the team due to Ryan Hall being out injured IIRC

Re: Johnstone v Olpherts : Fri Feb 21, 2020 5:31 pm  

Fishermanscap wrote:

This is just your opinion, you have no idea if Bennett thought that. It is quite incredible what some posters claim they know

TJ defence would almost certainly improve if he were in the NRL no doubt but it’s no barrier to him going, it’s nonsense to say it is in my opinion.

For reasons I’m not sure if people have picked on Toms defence for years, yet most people see little wrong with it. Is a matter of opinion but it seems desperate time.

One thing I’m certain of, you don’t have any idea what Bennett thinks, not sure he does.

Fishermanscap I guess you didn't see/hear the interview with TJ between these two internationals? TJ acknowledged that Bennett had a chat with him, explained the reasons why he wasn't picked and highlighted the areas he needed to improve upon to be a more regular international player. The strengths of Makinson (defence) over Johnstone (speed) were highlighted.

Re: Johnstone v Olpherts : Fri Feb 21, 2020 9:58 pm  

homme vaste wrote:

TJ is a classy player and one of only 3 or 4 in the league I genuinely think would make it in the NRL.

Players like Johnson are ten a penny in the,NRL.
This will be apparent when Feki a NRL reject for cas,will hold his own against your wonderboy.