Re: On to the Cup and CAS : Mon May 22, 2023 7:44 am  

swissfan wrote:

Quite simply jake Clifford is the best signing we have made from NRL in last 20 years. I just prey he does not have the nrl clause in his contract so he can leave.

Clifford isn't even close to Jason Smith level

Good player Clifford no doubt though

Re: On to the Cup and CAS : Mon May 22, 2023 8:43 am  

Thetalentboy wrote:

Clifford isn't even close to Jason Smith level

Good player Clifford no doubt though

He's shaping up well and showing some great touches but for me Smith was the best I've seen in a Hull shirt.

Re: On to the Cup and CAS : Mon May 22, 2023 9:10 am  

BESTY wrote:

He's shaping up well and showing some great touches but for me Smith was the best I've seen in a Hull shirt.

100%

Re: On to the Cup and CAS : Mon May 22, 2023 9:43 am  

Yep agree jason was in top 3 best players from NRL. international class , mature senior pro . old school hard player - guess as near to knocker as we have had. Anyway i should have clarified clifford is the best signing ( NOT the best player yet !) . based on cliffords great rugby attributes , strong leadership , 25 years old and mentored by thurlston at newcastle knights a really good value signing /investment ( much cheaper and better than overpaid Reynolds) . I am pretty sure he would still be in NRL if not for plate problem in arm and we got very lucky he came. i hope his arm holds up and he gets a coupe of seasons with us to progress and challenge for the status of one of best players ever from NRL. He has the whole package - great passing , short and long kicking game , conversions %, speed , defence and strong verbal leadership we have not seen for a very long time at 7.I hope he sticks around as with trueman could be really special. Ironically unlike many seasons in SL we are needing a refresh in pack and dont have any real massive weakness in backs - but smith is deffo the right person to sort out this and the inconsistent mental attitude issue. looks bright future to me . probably next season back to serious contenders...

Re: On to the Cup and CAS : Mon May 22, 2023 9:47 am  

Whilst Cas aren't great, we have still won 4 on the trot and shown some big improvements on issues earlier in the season, particularly defense, also while still not there yet, our last play options are alot better, if we can get a good run of injuries and keep our spine intact, I see why we can't have a season that is better than the last couple and have a dig at the cup or the top 6. In would be good to shift a couple and try to bring in a couple of forwards.

In that run we have beaten Hudds who are much fancied the best side in the league and won twice away.

Really big test coming up at Salford, lots to prove after the home game, Sao and Taylor back, hopefully Carlos is fit and maybe chance Scott at wing and think we can give them a game.

Really happy with the spine, add some power and size to the pack and we are moving in the right direction.

Re: On to the Cup and CAS : Mon May 22, 2023 9:50 am  

Clifford is excellent, just hope he stays next season, if possible I'd be looking at get him on a longer deal with a payrise (make him marquee). Bit early to compare him to the likes of Swain and Smith yet, maybe even mini, Manu and Kelly, certainly looks the best 7 overseas 7 iv'e seen, he has it all, can run, tackle, kick and pass.

Re: On to the Cup and CAS : Mon May 22, 2023 9:56 am  

Dave K. wrote:

Clifford is excellent, just hope he stays next season, if possible I'd be looking at get him on a longer deal with a payrise (make him marquee). Bit early to compare him to the likes of Swain and Smith yet, maybe even mini, Manu and Kelly, certainly looks the best 7 overseas 7 iv'e seen, he has it all, can run, tackle, kick and pass.

Hopefully the next time he goes the length of the field it'll actually be a try. 3rd times the charm and all that

Re: On to the Cup and CAS : Mon May 22, 2023 10:05 am  

I think Clifford should be our captain.

Re: On to the Cup and CAS : Mon May 22, 2023 10:41 am  

clifford is a good player and will get better,but hes not in the peter sterling class.ive seen every import since the 70s and sterling tops the lot.2 other players who dont often get mentioned are des hasler and greg mackay,2 excellent playmakers.peter sterling and brett kenny were the perfect halfback pairing.no wonder parramatta dominated in the early 80s.i watch mor nrl than super league and i knew cliiford would go really well.

Re: On to the Cup and CAS : Mon May 22, 2023 12:14 pm  

fosdyke99 wrote:

clifford is a good player and will get better,but hes not in the peter sterling class.ive seen every import since the 70s and sterling tops the lot.2 other players who dont often get mentioned are des hasler and greg mackay,2 excellent playmakers.peter sterling and brett kenny were the perfect halfback pairing.no wonder parramatta dominated in the early 80s.i watch mor nrl than super league and i knew cliiford would go really well.

Totally agree, Peter Sterling was ahead of his time, the first of the "modern" era scrum halves and his vision and , often overlooked, defense was superb. Jason Smith was very good, the second best 13 I have seen since watching Hull since the mid 70's, but in my opinion ,Peter Sterling trumps the list of great overseas players we have been lucky to witness, by a close margin from James Leuluai, who was the best strike centre I have ever seen at Hull.