Re: 2 year deal for JP : Sun Mar 25, 2012 11:43 am  

Juan Cornetto wrote:

Yes and he also usually keeps going forward as the tacklers lose their hit momentum as they are turned. Good technique

I repeat - it's a good technique at Super League level against very ordinary opposition. I've never seen this technique utilised successfully against Australia at international level, nor did I see any evidence of it in the pre-season exhibition game against Manly. Feel free to provide evidence and examples of this technique of his which shows him ripping it up against the Australians making huge meters and offloads aplently. I'm still waiting.

Re: 2 year deal for JP : Sun Mar 25, 2012 12:10 pm  

Fieldheadrhino wrote:

If Peacock went to the NRL I am sure he would give a good account of himself

Five to ten years ago maybe, but definitely not now he's approaching his geriatric era.

Fieldheadrhino wrote:

the stats that Swiftcorn as posted are only one side of the game, stats don't account for guts and determination which Peacock as in bucket loads but Graham as in a teacup.

This has to be the most feckwitted comment posted for quite some time, even outdoing unsubstantiated suggestions that NRL clubs were lining up to sign JP at the age of 35. James Graham has not only been this country's best prop forward for the past five years, he's been our best player by some distance for the same length of time both in Super League and - more crucially - at international level. To suggest that Graham lacks the guts and determination which JP has in bucket loads is the type of contribution expected from someone who is clueless and has lost the plot completely. It wasn't James Graham who had to take a breather and fall off a tackle in the 4N Final allowing Paul Gallen to waltz past him before offloading to Thurston for a try under the sticks. I'd like to think JP will now do the sensible thing and retire from the international stage with good grace rather than dragging a zimmer frame along for the 2013 World Cup.

Fieldheadrhino wrote:

There have been many so called battle hardened NRL players over the years who have come into Superleague and failed to hack it. The likes of Greg Eastwood

He was still Leeds most effective forward in numerous games despite pining for a return down under. However, now he's no longer at Leeds and returned home early, he was obviously rubbish and was rubbish all along.

Fieldheadrhino wrote:

Ben Cross

Hailed on here as a good signing by some when first recruited - a solid, no nonsense prop who will make the hard yards, etc. Those who questioned his signing at the time (like me for instance) were pilloried for having the audacity to question GH's latest sleeve acquisition - no surprises there

Re: 2 year deal for JP : Sun Mar 25, 2012 12:18 pm  

Keith Swiftcorn wrote:

No need because in the interests of accuracy, Peacock does invariably pirouette on one leg with his back turned at the point of impact, and in the absence of a Super League-esque offload under low-intensity SL match conditions (conspicuous by their absence at high-intensity international level against Australia of course) he then proceeds to continue through the full 360 degrees in order to position himself for his trademark and illegal quick PTB where the foot deliberately makes no contact with the ball.

Please give evidence to prove your claim that JP "invariably... pirouettes... the full 360º... on one leg"

I am waiting.......

....still waiting....

etc.

Keith Swiftcorn wrote:

I repeat - it's a good technique at Super League level against very ordinary opposition. I've never seen this technique utilised successfully against Australia at international level, nor did I see any evidence of it in the pre-season exhibition game against Manly. Feel free to provide evidence and examples of this technique of his which shows him ripping it up against the Australians making huge meters and offloads aplently. I'm still waiting.

I take it you couldn't quite stomach seeing the WCC tape again....you know the one where your NRL heros were put in their place. Had you done that you must have seen JP performing his "invariable pirouette" technique to good effect against the Internationals from 'down under' who on this occassion were truly 'down and out'

Re: 2 year deal for JP : Sun Mar 25, 2012 12:19 pm  

The standard and intensity across the board in the NRL is higher, owing greatly to the numbers playing the sport at all levels in Aus and the pressure for places this creates.

I can't comment on junior coaching down under but in this country the standard isn't always the best but we're trying to address this, something I feel is a major factor along with the transition to summer rugby which over the coming years (decades) will make a big difference.

As for peacock IMO he would have gone great in the NRL a few years back, now he would be ok I think nothing more if you're talking about consistently performing.
Does that reflect the difference in the 2 competitions, probably so but that doesn't bother me I just take both for what they are and enjoy it.

Re: 2 year deal for JP : Sun Mar 25, 2012 1:07 pm  

Seth wrote:

The standard and intensity across the board in the NRL is higher, owing greatly to the numbers playing the sport at all levels in Aus and the pressure for places this creates.

I can't comment on junior coaching down under but in this country the standard isn't always the best but we're trying to address this, something I feel is a major factor along with the transition to summer rugby which over the coming years (decades) will make a big difference.

As for peacock IMO he would have gone great in the NRL a few years back, now he would be ok I think nothing more if you're talking about consistently performing.
Does that reflect the difference in the 2 competitions, probably so but that doesn't bother me I just take both for what they are and enjoy it.

I suspect all would agree to be honest ....it's just that some, more than others, enjoy making other contributors 'bite' ...and the greater the indignation the better.

Re: 2 year deal for JP : Sun Mar 25, 2012 1:43 pm  

ThePrinter wrote:

I feel sorry for Keith Swiftcorn, its obvious his life must be so empty and disappointing on a daily basis.

Meh, put him on ignore and leave him to it. He usually disappears just after the Grand Final anyway.

Re: 2 year deal for JP : Sun Mar 25, 2012 2:00 pm  

Keith Swiftcorn wrote:

James Graham has not only been this country's best prop forward for the past five years

That's pushing it a bit don't you think - the past 3 years, without a doubt but 5 years?

Re: 2 year deal for JP : Sun Mar 25, 2012 2:05 pm  

Seth wrote:

I can't comment on junior coaching down under but in this country the standard isn't always the best but we're trying to address this.

Some of the larger amateur clubs in Oz have professional coaches for their 'older' juniors.

Re: 2 year deal for JP : Sun Mar 25, 2012 3:25 pm  

Fat Boy wrote:

That's pushing it a bit don't you think - the past 3 years, without a doubt but 5 years?

Feel free to disagree. I've considered James Graham our best player at least since and including 2006. He's the only England player who turned up for the last World Cup in 2008 and didn't embarrass himself or appear completely out of his depth in that tournament. I believe only Sam Burgess has more potential and natural talent but he's out injured too often and isn't as consistent.

Re: 2 year deal for JP : Sun Mar 25, 2012 3:55 pm  

Seth wrote:

But then the players you mentioned such as Tandy were only over here for a payday/holiday, and in all fairness were probably laughing so hard at the pi$$ poor SL that they could hardly focus on playing rugby.....just playing devils advocate

It would have been interesting to see if some of our high profile would have had the desire to be a small fish in a big pond rather tan the other way round?

Graham/Ellis/Burgess are to be applauded for testing themselves in the ultimate version of the game - maybe if some of these high profile players had tested themselves the speed and intensity of international rugby would not have exposed their failings in such a tangible manner?

Signing a player until he is 37 is the real point here!!