Re: Kallum Watkins goes missing in yet ANOTHER big game : Tue Nov 01, 2016 11:42 pm  

Hardaker did look lightweight, but it would be very interesting to see how the 2015 version would have gone in the NRL. Amongst other things he clearly let his fitness go out of the window this year.

But its definitely true that the NRL is much more physical than SL. That's why it should be no surprise that our most robust players tend to do much better in tests than smaller ones (e.g. Hall vs Charnley). You can get away with smaller players, but they need to be able to play above their weight - in the last series here Farrell just looked way too small, losing the ball in collisions as a result. If Farrell came to the NRL he'd put on a heap of weight, as would Hardaker and a number of others. You just can't play in the NRL if you're going to get ragdolled.

Re: Kallum Watkins goes missing in yet ANOTHER big game : Wed Nov 02, 2016 2:29 pm  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

Hardaker did look lightweight, but it would be very interesting to see how the 2015 version would have gone in the NRL. Amongst other things he clearly let his fitness go out of the window this year.

But its definitely true that the NRL is much more physical than SL. That's why it should be no surprise that our most robust players tend to do much better in tests than smaller ones (e.g. Hall vs Charnley). You can get away with smaller players, but they need to be able to play above their weight - in the last series here Farrell just looked way too small, losing the ball in collisions as a result. If Farrell came to the NRL he'd put on a heap of weight, as would Hardaker and a number of others. You just can't play in the NRL if you're going to get ragdolled.

I think you may very well be right about size in the NRL.

However Bateman and Farrell are the two best SRs in Super League regardless of size. You don't pick someone on the basis of size alone, otherwise you might just as well pick a couple of props to play SR.

By the way I went to all three of the tests last year and can't recall Farrell dropping the ball in collision (possibly once at the DW but in mitigation it was hosing down all game and he wasn't the only one - from both teams). Still maybe your memory is better than mine.

Re: Kallum Watkins goes missing in yet ANOTHER big game : Wed Nov 02, 2016 3:53 pm  

Aboveusonlypie wrote:

I think you may very well be right about size in the NRL.

However Bateman and Farrell are the two best SRs in Super League regardless of size. You don't pick someone on the basis of size alone, otherwise you might just as well pick a couple of props to play SR.

By the way I went to all three of the tests last year and can't recall Farrell dropping the ball in collision (possibly once at the DW but in mitigation it was hosing down all game and he wasn't the only one - from both teams). Still maybe your memory is better than mine.

They are the two best second rows in SL in YOUR cherry and white opinion

Re: Kallum Watkins goes missing in yet ANOTHER big game : Wed Nov 02, 2016 4:16 pm  

Personally think Jack Hughes has been the best SR this year. Can do everything Bateman/Farrell can do but isn't as lightweight. Can't believe he wasn't in the squad, is he injured?

Re: Kallum Watkins goes missing in yet ANOTHER big game : Wed Nov 02, 2016 4:36 pm  

Biff Tannen wrote:

They are the two best second rows in SL in YOUR cherry and white opinion

Indeed. When you have the super league trophy in the cabinet you get the bragging rights. As you well know.

Bateman was our best player, by a mile, last season. And Faz won us the final.

Still if people think that Jack Hughes, our fourth best SR when we let him go, is better, then they are entitled to their opinion. However misguided

Re: Kallum Watkins goes missing in yet ANOTHER big game : Wed Nov 02, 2016 5:25 pm  

Aboveusonlypie wrote:

Indeed. When you have the super league trophy in the cabinet you get the bragging rights. As you well know.

Bateman was our best player, by a mile, last season. And Faz won us the final.

Still if people think that Jack Hughes, our fourth best SR when we let him go, is better, then they are entitled to their opinion. However misguided

And if you want to believe a player hasn't improved since leaving Wigan, then that's your prerogative.

I agree Bateman was awesome for you guys last year, and I actually thought he was pretty good against Nz.

I've not seen much of Farrell this year, rate him as a line runner and defender. Can't help but think he doesn't really fit Bennetts philosophy of a massive pack. But then I'm also not sure I agree with that philosophy.

Re: Kallum Watkins goes missing in yet ANOTHER big game : Wed Nov 02, 2016 6:26 pm  

Hughes doesn't make enough metres compared to Bateman and Farrell. Hughes is a good player but the other two are match winners on their day and he isn't and I think too much is made about their size.

Re: Kallum Watkins goes missing in yet ANOTHER big game : Wed Nov 02, 2016 8:06 pm  

Aboveusonlypie wrote:

I think you may very well be right about size in the NRL.

However Bateman and Farrell are the two best SRs in Super League regardless of size. You don't pick someone on the basis of size alone, otherwise you might just as well pick a couple of props to play SR.

By the way I went to all three of the tests last year and can't recall Farrell dropping the ball in collision (possibly once at the DW but in mitigation it was hosing down all game and he wasn't the only one - from both teams). Still maybe your memory is better than mine.

In the NRL they do pick props to play in the SR, look at Tapua and Frizell, who would definitely be props in SL

The way to beat this is of course to tire them out by playing an expansive game with lots of second phase play, but for some reason we try match the Aussies tactics of safety first rugby.

Re: Kallum Watkins goes missing in yet ANOTHER big game : Wed Nov 02, 2016 8:08 pm  

Aboveusonlypie wrote:

Indeed. When you have the super league trophy in the cabinet you get the bragging rights. As you well know.

Bateman was our best player, by a mile, last season. And Faz won us the final.

Still if people think that Jack Hughes, our fourth best SR when we let him go, is better, then they are entitled to their opinion. However misguided

Hope your keeping it warm for us

Re: Kallum Watkins goes missing in yet ANOTHER big game : Wed Nov 02, 2016 8:15 pm  

I think Farrell and Bateman are both cracking players. I just don't think they should both be in the team together or on the field at the same time in the pack.