Out of favour ?

[Tigersbarmy]

With Cheyse Blair and Matagi playing for the reserves yesterday, are both these players out of favour? Think we all know Blair will leave once his contract is up. But seems strange not playing Matagi when we’ve gave him a 2 year deal start of season. When was last time he played wakey away?

[MrRugby123]

Our overseas recruitment has been a joke over the last few years. I hope Radford can sort that out next year!

[gateman]

Chesny signed to solve our long standing centre problem as far from filled the expectations we all had when he signed failed at centre for us hardly looked more than a second rower you could pick up in the championship let us hope our next overseas signings give us more value have we had our fingers burnt yes we have

[FIat Capper]

The British game still has an underlying problem of believing ALL Aussies are good, be it players or coaches.

Now I'd be the first to admit the NRL has strength in depth but those teams can also carry a player to levels far beyond their capabilities. They work ok as part of a well oiled machine but once they're asked to be the big fish, they are found wanting.

[SuffolkTiger]

The British game still has an underlying problem of believing ALL Aussies are good, be it players or coaches.

Now I'd be the first to admit the NRL has strength in depth but those teams can also carry a player to levels far beyond their capabilities. They work ok as part of a well oiled machine but once they're asked to be the big fish, they are found wanting.

Great post.

I think your point about being a solid piece in a well oiled machine is bang on. The systems and standards at at least most of the NRL clubs can make average players look better than they are as long as they remain fit, well conditioned and mentally in the right place. Take them out of that environment and put them in an inferior one where the standards and expectations are lower and it can expose flaws.

[tigerfeat]

The flip side of that is getting players like Jai Field and Bevan French both in running for MOS both considered average over there in Fields case that's being kind to him

[Tamworth Tiger]

The British game still has an underlying problem of believing ALL Aussies are good, be it players or coaches.

Now I'd be the first to admit the NRL has strength in depth but those teams can also carry a player to levels far beyond their capabilities. They work ok as part of a well oiled machine but once they're asked to be the big fish, they are found wanting.

Great post.

I think your point about being a solid piece in a well oiled machine is bang on. The systems and standards at at least most of the NRL clubs can make average players look better than they are as long as they remain fit, well conditioned and mentally in the right place. Take them out of that environment and put them in an inferior one where the standards and expectations are lower and it can expose flaws.

Rudder a case in point. Looked class with Johns as his half back partner. Never did it for us.