: Tue Feb 24, 2009 10:25 am  

jonh wrote:

I seem to remember him also playing in the centre as well for Australia. He was one of a select group of Chris Anderson's favorites who he would have found very hard to find a reason to drop.

That can be the only reason Phil Bailey ever played for Australia. At least, on the strength of his performances in Wigan's colours.

There can't have been many occasions when being a reasonably solid defender who doesn't offer anything in attack got someone selected for the Green and Gold.

: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:46 am  

Cruncher wrote:

That can be the only reason Phil Bailey ever played for Australia. At least, on the strength of his performances in Wigan's colours.

There can't have been many occasions when being a reasonably solid defender who doesn't offer anything in attack got someone selected for the Green and Gold.

I may be wrong but i think it was at the Elland Road test when David Waite was GB coach and he played Centre and either scored a try on the outside of his opposite number, or got the outside line and put his wingman away beautifully.

When it was announced we were signing him this image sprung to mind sadly it was the last time i ever saw it.

: Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:42 pm  

WigansForeignLegion wrote:

Ahead of Lockers, Joel and even Hock? In one word: No.

Or maybe move Lockers and Hock to the second row with the space provided by Bailey moving to loose forward allowing Joel Tomkins and Harrison Hansen to remain part of the 17. IMO Sean O'loughlin's best position is at second row (won MOTM playing for GB) and we know Hock and Joel can play there and if it brings more out of Bailey I don't see much wrong with it.

: Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:28 pm  

i read birdbrain is landing in france tomorrow http://stgeorge.yourguide.com.au/news/l ... 44105.aspx CRONULLA Sharks' rising Kiwi star Fraser Anderson's move to rugby follows the decision by his Sharks team-mate Dustin Cooper to also take up a Japanese rugby contract. The Sharks yesterday denied any moves had been made, but they are likely to begin negotiations with off contract Melbourne player Michael Crocker , who has played under coach Ricky Stuart for Australia and at the Roosters. Sharks new signing Reni Matuia, Mitch Brown and David Simmons, who has been trialling as winger, are the likely replacements for Anderson in the immediate future, while the club holds out hope for big Blake Ferguson and boom teenager Karlos Filiga, now returning from injury along with Reece Williams.

i read birdbrain is landing in france tomorrow http://stgeorge.yourguide.com.au/news/l ... 44105.aspx CRONULLA Sharks' rising Kiwi star Fraser Anderson's move to rugby follows the decision by his Sharks team-mate Dustin Cooper to also take up a Japanese rugby contract. The Sharks yesterday denied any moves had been made, but they are likely to begin negotiations with off contract Melbourne player Michael Crocker , who has played under coach Ricky Stuart for Australia and at the Roosters. Sharks new signing Reni Matuia, Mitch Brown and David Simmons, who has been trialling as winger, are the likely replacements for Anderson in the immediate future, while the club holds out hope for big Blake Ferguson and boom teenager Karlos Filiga, now returning from injury along with Reece Williams.

: Thu Feb 26, 2009 1:50 pm  

Greg Bird to union http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009 ... 497730.htm

Greg Bird to union http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009 ... 497730.htm

: Thu Feb 26, 2009 2:25 pm  

Bill_Barlow wrote: Greg Bird to union http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009 ... 497730.htm Thats a let down if he goes to union, he is more suited to our game and I would love to see players like him in super league, Im fed up of all the average overseas players who get signed just because they are Austrailian, he is the real deal.

Bill_Barlow wrote: Greg Bird to union http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009 ... 497730.htm Thats a let down if he goes to union, he is more suited to our game and I would love to see players like him in super league, Im fed up of all the average overseas players who get signed just because they are Austrailian, he is the real deal.

: Thu Feb 26, 2009 2:50 pm  

odemwingie wrote:

Thats a let down if he goes to union, he is more suited to our game and I would love to see players like him in super league, Im fed up of all the average overseas players who get signed just because they are Austrailian, he is the real deal.

It will be on a 1 year nothing deal to keep him fit till he is able to join another NRL team or SL next year when cap space is more available, or if his court case has concluded in his favour.

: Thu Feb 26, 2009 4:32 pm  

jonh wrote:

It will be on a 1 year nothing deal to keep him fit till he is able to join another NRL team or SL next year when cap space is more available, or if his court case has concluded in his favour.

Yep, it will. He isn't a Union player. Will be back in 2010 assuming he isnt locked up.

: Thu Feb 26, 2009 5:43 pm  

jonh wrote:

It will be on a 1 year nothing deal to keep him fit till he is able to join another NRL team or SL next year when cap space is more available, or if his court case has concluded in his favour.

It would still be great to have him here for a season.

Think of the impact Lyon and Barrett had in one season, they had another one afterwards but they still made an impact straight away.

: Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:48 pm  

It's this rule which covers all Catalans Aussie/Kiwis players entry in to the UK for matches.

D. I do not hold a passport from any country in the EEA or Switzerland. Do I need
a work permit (in addition to a visa) to come to the UK?
• You do not need a work permit to come to the UK, if you are:
• coming to the UK as a visitor; or
• a sportsperson, coach or technical official coming to the UK to take part in a
specific sports event or a series of sports events, providing you are not
seeking to base yourself in the UK and you are genuinely seeking entry to the
UK to perform at the specific event(s) (this is known as the “Sportsperson
Concession”).