Re: Cross & Burgess... Get us out of here : Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:02 am  

The salary cap audits have just been completed.

Re: Cross & Burgess... Get us out of here : Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:03 am  

thebloodbath wrote:

Leeds offered him a 3 year deal which he knocked back.

As I said before we don't know the details of the contract - it could have been a really good offer, on the hand it could have been a Calderwood?

Re: Cross & Burgess... Get us out of here : Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:14 am  

thebloodbath wrote:

Training for no purpose?

How about training for the job he has been paid to do? As a member of the Rhinos squad. He has fallen away from selection but if every player moved on when this happened you would need a turnstile on the training paddock.

One minute he announces he will stay and fight for a spot, like he should, then he wants to be released.

I'll have my cake and eat it.

He was always going at the end of the season so Leeds had to plan life without him. IMO Biff at present would offer more than some members, but we can't control that.

To make him a significantly better prop player at his age, surely extensive game time and added responsibility would be just as important. Let's see what game time he gets. How is Mike Worrincy getting on? I bet he comes back a Super Star.

Leeds have decided he will not get selected regardless of how well or otherwise he plays/trains - so he is training will zero chance of being selected, that is not his decision that is a coaching/management decision.

He said he did not want to go to another club, he used the fight for my place as a reason not to go to Cas - if Wigan had come calling he may have taken a different tack.

Players spend 25-30 hours a week on the training field and 80 minutes on the field. Most people accept it is what happens on the training field that develops players and enables them to perform on the field. If I had a choice of training within an NRL set up or down at Kirkstall with Dumb and Dumber I know which I would choose. 99% of players would benefit from spending time in the NRL.

Worrincy will be a better player for his time in a NRL set up - not difficult I agree.

What both he and Burgess will be able to do better are the basics something that seperates us from the NRL and they will both be physically fitter and stronger.

Re: Cross & Burgess... Get us out of here : Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:20 am  

What happens when we pick up a few front row injuries or has gh got someone in mind now to bring in ? Highly unlikely

[Ex-Swarcliffe Rhino]

Re: Cross & Burgess... Get us out of here : Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:26 am  

Believe the sleeve.

Re: Cross & Burgess... Get us out of here : Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:30 am  

thebloodbath wrote:

One minute he announces he will stay and fight for a spot, like he should, then he wants to be released.

I'll have my cake and eat it.

Whereas what Burgess actually stated was this:

Luke Burgess wrote:

“I told Gary I wanted a release so I could go to Australia, because I am not playing. I made it quite clear I don’t want to go out on loan. If they are not prepared to release me, I will stay at Leeds for the rest of the year. Ideally I’d be granted a release so I can leave. If I am not granted a release I am willing to stay at Leeds and fight for my place. I am disappointed in the whole thing.”

I suppose it's a case of 'which came first, the chicken or the egg?' but I read that as non selection - ask for a release - if not released - stay at Leeds until contract expires fighting for a place.

Not sure what else he could do after losing his prop position to Kirke.

Re: Cross & Burgess... Get us out of here : Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:36 am  

Agree Tvoc. Biff v Kirke?? Souths would not be signing Kirke that's for sure! Bye Biff and thanks and congratulations!

Re: Cross & Burgess... Get us out of here : Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:36 am  

tvoc wrote:

Not sure what else he could do after losing his prop position to Kirke.

That would swipe the taste from your mouth.

Re: Cross & Burgess... Get us out of here : Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:41 am  

Sal Paradise wrote:

What both he and Burgess will be able to do better are the basics something that seperates us from the NRL and they will both be physically fitter and stronger.

You can't polish a turd though. They are not miracle workers.

Biff is an interesting case. He is useful and there is something there. I have always questioned his lack of improvement over the last 3/4 years in a Leeds shirt. I don't think his improvement levels have gone up enough to warrant him a top end prop. But we can see what impact the NRL will have on his game.

Did Mathers, Tansey, Sibbit come back better players? Or were they not really on that level anyway, the bracket I think Biff falls into.

Morley, Ellis, Sam stand out as real handfuls over-there because they stood out over here first as excellent players. It does help.

Re: Cross & Burgess... Get us out of here : Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:44 am  

Good move for Biff, From the interview I read we didnt come out of it very well. 3 days to make a life changing decision and removing the offer when asked for more time??