This. Except Hardakers issues were as a direct result of the mates he hanged around with, mates he is now away from. He has to accept some of the responsibility of that, including the actions of his the girlfriend, as he should have ended it sooner, but putting distance away from it all is his own way of dealing with it. He is nowhere near the lad made out from fickle talking rubbish supporters, absolutely nowhere near, but there is some elements of truth to the positions he has got himself into.
I know the club he had agreed to go with originally in the NRL still want him for next season, but I also know at the moment he is happy with what is happening at Penrith, and they are with him. I would love him back at Leeds, as there is nobody in Super League who comes close to him at fullback, but I fully expect him to be in Australia at least for next year.
Whilst i agree with much of the above Gotcha unfortunately Zak has to take responsibility for the company he chooses to hang around with. As a professional sportsman Zak has a lot to learn something he does very slowly.
I cant see him coping in Aus away from his friends and family. His career could be heading for a crossroads. Personally i wish him well but wouldnt want to see him return to Leeds.
This. Except Hardakers issues were as a direct result of the mates he hanged around with, mates he is now away from. He has to accept some of the responsibility of that, including the actions of his the girlfriend, as he should have ended it sooner, but putting distance away from it all is his own way of dealing with it. He is nowhere near the lad made out from fickle talking rubbish supporters, absolutely nowhere near, but there is some elements of truth to the positions he has got himself into.
I know the club he had agreed to go with originally in the NRL still want him for next season, but I also know at the moment he is happy with what is happening at Penrith, and they are with him. I would love him back at Leeds, as there is nobody in Super League who comes close to him at fullback, but I fully expect him to be in Australia at least for next year.
The problem he might have created for himself is that if he struggles there then maybe that other club who are interested think "hmmm.....maybe not after all"
Also on the friend issue....obviously you pick your friends and whilst he might be away from them can we say confidently he'll get his 'choice' of friends right over there. Just like a gf, with a few exceptions you usually have a 'type' of friend you like to be mates with. We hear plenty of stories of NRL players having dodgy or poor company.
It would be in Leeds interests if this serial miscreant made a successful go of it in the NRL.
Unfortunately, it's not looking very likely. Let's be honest here... he's nowhere near good enough.
The fact that this Oik from Ponty/Fev armed with an extremely limited skill set, who cannot perform even the most basic function in RL (passing the ball) won the MoS award last season highlights how dreadful SL has become.
It would be in Leeds interests if this serial miscreant made a successful go of it in the NRL.
Unfortunately, it's not looking very likely. Let's be honest here... he's nowhere near good enough.
The fact that this Oik from Ponty/Fev armed with an extremely limited skill set, who cannot perform even the most basic function in RL (passing the ball) won the MoS award last season highlights how dreadful SL has become.
Blah blah doom and destruction everything blue and amber is poor as is the whole of Superleague. We get it Billy Boy you don't rate RL in the UK. So why do you invest so much time and effort in it? I like your cameo cynic appearances. But please, just occasionally, change the bl00dy record.
Last edited by TOMCAT on Wed Jul 20, 2016 7:02 pm, edited 2 times in total.
I'd say tackling is the most basic function of rugby league William, there are plenty of players playing on both sides of the world who are pretty poor passers.
He's been head and shoulders above most players his entire life, why pass when you have the skillset to skin the opposing player with pace or a juke? Only now has he finally run into players who are playing above him on a consistent basis, this is where he needs to step up and re-tool his game and to be frank, I hope he does, the more players being forced into learning at a consistently higher standard the better. I he cant master basic passing then he wont last long in the NRL.
Your job is to say to yourself on a job interview does the hiring manager likes me or not. If you aren't a particular manager's cup of tea, you haven't failed -- you've dodged a bullet.
Blah blah doom and destruction everything blue and amber is poor as is the whole of Superleague. We get it Billy Boy you don't rate RL in the UK. So why do you invest so much time and effort in it? I like your cameo cynic appearances. But please, just occasionally, change the bl00dy record.
Kettle and pot here - rather than just trotting out the same old response change the bl00dy record.
If you don't agree with what he is saying dismantle his argument.
For me Hardaker is good enough to get a start in the NRL, there are plenty of very average players in that league. From watching him in the two games he has played he looks: unfit, lacking power and pace and his basic skill set is well below what is required in the NRL.
He can sort out his fitness but it will take a lot of time spending time in an NRL set up will sharpen up his basic skills.
It is a very sad reflection on SL and the coaching at Leeds that the current man of steel has neither the fitness nor the skill base of even the very ordinary NRL players.
Australia don't beat us because they have fantastically superior skill sets they beat us because they are fitter and do the basics really well. There is no excuse for full time players not to be able to have these to attributes.