***Official*** NRL 2008 Thread

[chaminda_00]

He's already played for Italy, not that that seems to bother international league overly, mind.

Anthony Laffranchi has played for Italy as well and he is expected to play for Australia.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Anthony Laffranchi has played for Italy as well and he is expected to play for Australia.

Played in the game I linked to in fact. He wouldn't be the first to represent two countries internationally in league anyway; off the top of my head Ricketson played for Ireland, Tuqiri for Fiji & Willie Mason for Tonga in the 2000 WC and they all went on to play for Oz afterwards.

Just makes the whole business faintly farcical for me.

 

[Craig]

Played in the game I linked to in fact. He wouldn't be the first to represent two countries internationally in league anyway; off the top of my head Ricketson played for Ireland, Tuqiri for Fiji & Willie Mason for Tonga in the 2000 WC and they all went on to play for Oz afterwards.

Just makes the whole business faintly farcical for me.

Yeah but they weren't counted as Tests weren't they? You can include Tonie Carroll having played for New Zealand as well in said WC. Agreed that it is a joke anyway.

 

[Johnners]

Tonie Carroll is a ****ing joke. Playing for both Aust. & NZ is farcical, let alone alowing the **** to play state of origin as well.

 

[Simon]

Grant Rovelli is not eligible for NZ, he's only been living there a year and a bit and I think it's three years to claim residence to play for the test side. He's rubbish anyway.

 

[Craig]

Grant Rovelli is not eligible for NZ, he's only been living there a year and a bit and I think it's three years to claim residence to play for the test side. He's rubbish anyway.

He's been there since 2006.

 

[Simon]

He's been there since 2006.

ah yes you're right, still, hes not eligible till next year then, but hes pretty crap anyway.

 

[Mister Wright]

Really thought the Cowboys could get one over the Storm last night. Was a close one.

 

[Johnners]

ah yes you're right, still, hes not eligible till next year then, but hes pretty crap anyway.

Pretty crap, but still better than Paea imo, and he has been playing regular first grade. Not that it's going to help NZ if he isn't eligible though.

 

[chaminda_00]

One of main reasons why Matai was picked at 5/8 was to increase his chances of making the Kiwi side. With Mannering playing in the 2nd row, it helps his chances. But Chase Stanley been decent football and would be a good bet to partner Soliola. But if Benji gets through this match, then it doesn't really matter.

 

[Craig]

Its probably going to be a touch anyway

 

[Johnners]

Sharks, can't win close games, ever.

On another note, if the selectors pick Nathan Hindmarsh in the test team it's a joke imo. He's playing ordinary football, and there are any number of backrowers who are playing 3/4 times better at the moment.

 

[chaminda_00]

Sharks, can't win close games, ever.

On another note, if the selectors pick Nathan Hindmarsh in the test team it's a joke imo. He's playing ordinary football, and there are any number of backrowers who are playing 3/4 times better at the moment.

Would be tad surprised if he makes the NSW side, let alone the Australian side.

 

[Johnners]

Knowing the selectors love for incumbents, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see him in both.

 

[Johnners]

Slater
Inglis
Gasnier
Hodges
Falou
Lockyer
Thurston
Kite
Smith
Civenoceva
Hoffman
Gallen
Bird

Webb - WTF!
Mason
Tupou
Gidley

Hahahaha, what the hell is Carl Webb doing there ahead of Laffranchi.

 

[James90]

Sharks, can't win close games, ever.

Dwta. Beat Dragons and Rabbits in close games recently.

On another note, if the selectors pick Nathan Hindmarsh in the test team it's a joke imo. He's playing ordinary football, and there are any number of backrowers who are playing 3/4 times better at the moment.

Awta.

I changed my opinion to a Tigers win this afternoon. Was going to put $5 on it but couldn't make myself do it. Didn't even change my tip in here. 6/8 isn't bad though.

 

[BoyBrumby]

I changed my opinion to a Tigers win this afternoon. Was going to put $5 on it but couldn't make myself do it. Didn't even change my tip in here. 6/8 isn't bad though.

Suspiciously good with 4 teams on the bye, in fact...

 

[chaminda_00]

Some surprising selections in the forwards. Webb, Kite, Gallen hmm. Still should win by 50 though, that backline is scary.

EDIT: Just remembered Stuart the coach, not that surprising I guess.

 

[Johnners]

Kite & Gallen aren't overly surprising. Webb, on the other hand, is an absolute shocker. He's been in terrible form. I'd have picked Laffranchi, Myles, Ryan, Minichiello, Thaiday, Hindmarsh or Creagh ahead of him.

 

[chaminda_00]

Kite & Gallen aren't overly surprising. Webb, on the other hand, is an absolute shocker. He's been in terrible form. I'd have picked Laffranchi, Myles, Ryan, Minichiello, Thaiday, Hindmarsh or Creagh ahead of him.

He has been in pretty good form in the last couple weeks to be fair. Others in better form, but he does have a proven record at rep level now.