Re: Magrin/Macani/Ioane/Foster from London : Thu Aug 11, 2016 10:18 am  

Lowes told us at the start of the season that the pre-8s games didn't matter. He couldn't have been more wrong, but now we literally are in games that don't matter, the game has no point at all except as experimentation and training for Rohan. It is a strange feeling. You don't often get games that feel totally irrelevant but this is one. And apart from wanting to extend their streak, I doubt it will mean much more to Fax either.

How did it come to this?

[Bulliac]

Re: Magrin/Macani/Ioane/Foster from London : Thu Aug 11, 2016 10:19 am  

roger daly wrote:

ha I wouldn't go as far as saying that, maybe sometimes you need more than just pace. I don't want to be pouring cold water on any new signings before they have even arrived

That's very true Roger. Didn't we have a kid came through the academy a few years back, think his name was Johnson, Richard perhaps[?] He was like excrement off an agricultural implement.

I remember a pre-season game against Leeds, and when their famously quick winger took off from his own 10 metre line, the Rhino fans were celebrating the try as soon as he caught the ball, but he barely got over the half way line before young Johnson caught him from behind. Pity is he was a flying machine but no rugby player.

[Bullseye]

Re: Magrin/Macani/Ioane/Foster from London : Thu Aug 11, 2016 10:27 am  

Nicky Johnson. He caught Paul Sterling easily.

Unbelievable pace.

Re: Magrin/Macani/Ioane/Foster from London : Thu Aug 11, 2016 11:08 am  

Yeah Nicky Johnson was a stupidly fast winger, but he was also a bit rubbish. Ended up playing for Oldham or some similar team if I remember correctly.

His brother Richard was a centre and also at Bradford. Ended up getting a first team squad number, but think only played a game or two (if that). He was less rubbish.

Re: Magrin/Macani/Ioane/Foster from London : Thu Aug 11, 2016 11:35 am  

Bradford are famous for having big, powerful wingers. I can probably name over 20 that might have fallen into this bracket but i'm struggling to recall many genuine speedsters of the past.

There was Richard Francis as already mentioned, Brimah Kebbie, St. John Ellis, Gareth Raynor, Dave Halley and possibly David Myers but i'm struggling to think of many more. There are a few that fit into neither category but it's manly been about power. I was surprise that Etu Uaisele didn't work out as he appeared to have all the attributes of our successful wingers.

Garry Lo should certainly be of interest if he's available.

[Bullseye]

Re: Magrin/Macani/Ioane/Foster from London : Thu Aug 11, 2016 11:38 am  

David Redfearn and Phil Ford from a bit further back. More your classic pacey wingers.

Berwyn Jones probably the fastest.

Re: Magrin/Macani/Ioane/Foster from London : Thu Aug 11, 2016 11:43 am  

How could I forget Phil Ford? He was in the team when I first started watching it. The other 2 are before my time.

[Bullseye]

Re: Magrin/Macani/Ioane/Foster from London : Thu Aug 11, 2016 11:46 am  

Redfearn was still around when Ford was albeit at veteran stage but his heyday was the early to mid 70s.. He actually gave up playing in his prime for a season or two before returning. Can't remember why exactly.

I used to love Ford...right up until he signed for Leeds.

Re: Magrin/Macani/Ioane/Foster from London : Thu Aug 11, 2016 11:55 am  

I was only a young un when I first started watching but I remember Ford playing but can't fully appreciate how good he was. It was the pack that usually got my attention, usually for all the wrong reasons. Oh and Sir Keith!

[Pumpetypump]

Re: Magrin/Macani/Ioane/Foster from London : Thu Aug 11, 2016 12:00 pm  

I can never fathom what makes some sprinters good Rugby Players. Martin Offiah was very fast, and scored a hell of a lot of tries, but was he a rugby player or just a sprinter?

Then there's Mark Calderwood, who was very fast, but absolutely gash at Rugby, and he utterly failed. That inexplicable clip kick to but the ball in the in-goal at Odsal for our try summed up his prowess.