***Official*** NRL 2008 Thread

[Johnners]

Bowen certainly hasn't turned up for the 2008 season yet. I heard he's injured though (read it somewhere). He can be brilliant, but Stewart is probably more consistent so far this year.

Bowen has only played 3 matches this year, so I think I'll reserve that judgment until there is really something to compare them on.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Hull KR have come out and said they are keen to sign Darren Lockyer for the 2010 season. Isn't this BB's team in the Super League? It will be interesting to see how much Lockyer would get when you consider something like £300-400k is close to and over a $1m a year.

Nah, Hull FC, the aristocrats of Humberside.

 

[Simon]

cant see Hunt being the Australia fullback, despite all the hype around Slater I think Stewart will still get picked. Good player and probably deserves it. As much as I love Hunt I'm not sure if he will play too much more rep footy, when he becomes the Broncos #6 he will find it hard to get picked in that position for Qld and when we have so many talented fullbacks there wont be a need to pick someone out of position even if he technically is the best fullback.

 

[Mister Wright]

If Hunt goes to 6, I'd love to see Hodges go to fullback. Easily the best fullback in the country, just a shame he's so good that he's also the best centre in the country. Won't happen though.

 

[Simon]

Hodges has played well at fullback, but he's also had some shockers, he far too valuable in the centres to put at fullback, and besides I have complete faith that Denan Kemp will be an excellent fullback.

 

[Mister Wright]

Hodges has played well at fullback, but he's also had some shockers, he far too valuable in the centres to put at fullback, and besides I have complete faith that Denan Kemp will be an excellent fullback.

Yeah, Kemp will be sensational. His try against Manly last year on debut (or 2nd game) was amazing.

 

[James90]

Sterling, Iken and Gould have all said that Finch would be their NSW halfback. Dire.

 

[Simon]

He's not even his club's halfback nsw are woeful

 

[Simon]

awesome come back by the Raiders today, down 24-10 at halftime to come back and win was a good effort, Carney might have had a poor season up until now but he made the match winning play when it was needed.

 

[Johnners]

Hate the Broncos. Mind you, things would've been a lot closer had Gidley been able to kick straight. The team certainly looks a lot better than a wooden spoon contender as well, just need to fix up the defence around the ruck.

 

[Burgey]

Sterling, Iken and Gould have all said that Finch would be their NSW halfback. Dire.

Old origin coaches and players love to amp up the "Mystique" of it though, don't they? They'll always say "He's not ready", etc. about some gun young bloke. Consistent with that thinking, these blokes probably take the view that he's never let NSW down when he's done the job before. And seeing as commentators deal in platitudes, that's wy they've given him the nod.
As a Parra fan, I hope he doesn't play, coz he's one of only a few who are having a go atm, and we need him badly.

 

[Mister Wright]

Loved the win today, moreso because Clapo's a Knights fan. Was a very exciting game, and neither side really deserved to lose, however Newcastle made more mistakes (or at least mistakes at the worst times) and you can't do that against the Broncos, with or without Lockyer.

Very positive signs for Broncos fans with the side at least looking like they can win without Lockyer. Can only get better for us when Lockyer returns to full fitness.

Wonderful game of football today.

 

[JBMAC]

With this being centenary of Rugby League I thought I would take the opportunity and Name my Team(Aussie) of the Century.

Fullback: Clive Churchill
Wingers: Ken Irvine and Michael Cleary
Centres: Henry Messenger and Reg Gasnier
Five-Eight: Wally Lewis
Halfback: Billy Smith
Lock: Ron Raper
2dn Row: Rod Reddy and Ray Price
Props: Arthur Beetson and Norm Provan
Hooker: Ben Elias

Interchange:
Bobby Fulton
Wayne Pearce
John Sattler
Graham Langlands

I have used the interchange so to bring all players into consideration.
So, if you think you can come up with a better Aussie side...Do So....then we will discuss.

 

[howardj]

And how did Hunt get to play rep footy? By having good NRL form at the time. I like I said unless Slater screws up big time now and then, I don't see what more he can do, espcially when he got Brisbane's number as well last weekend.

Mate, in answer to your question, Hunt got to play Origin footy because both his rivals (Slats and Bowen) were exposed and found wanting at that rarified level. They have both been dropped from Origin in the past. Why on earth would one turn their back on a 21 year old (Hunt) who has proven himself at that level in the past two years, who is in solid form and who has match fitness - only to go back to guys (Slater and Bowen) who have been exposed at that level in the past. Fair enough if Hunt was not fit, or lacked match play. Fact is though, you don't pick your rep teams on the basis of who, currently, is ripping it up in the NRL. That is crazy. Origin (and even Tests) is an entirely different level of football.

 

[Burgey]

With this being centenary of Rugby League I thought I would take the opportunity and Name my Team(Aussie) of the Century.

Fullback: Clive Churchill
Wingers: Ken Irvine and Michael Cleary
Centres: Henry Messenger and Reg Gasnier
Five-Eight: Wally Lewis
Halfback: Billy Smith
Lock: Ron Raper
2dn Row: Rod Reddy and Ray Price
Props: Arthur Beetson and Norm Provan
Hooker: Ben Elias

Interchange:
Bobby Fulton
Wayne Pearce
John Sattler
Graham Langlands

I have used the interchange so to bring all players into consideration.
So, if you think you can come up with a better Aussie side...Do So....then we will discuss.

Like your side, but for the sake of promoting discussion:

Langlands
Irvine
M Meninga
S Rogers
E Grothe (Snr)
Clay
Johns
Price
McCarthy
N Provan
Beetson
I Walsh
Webke
Bench: Lazarus, Sattler, Lewis, G Miles

 

[Burgey]

Loved the win today, moreso because Clapo's a Knights fan. Was a very exciting game, and neither side really deserved to lose, however Newcastle made more mistakes (or at least mistakes at the worst times) and you can't do that against the Broncos, with or without Lockyer.

Very positive signs for Broncos fans with the side at least looking like they can win without Lockyer. Can only get better for us when Lockyer returns to full fitness.

Wonderful game of football today.

Enjoyable game to bs sure. I like the Knights' fearlessness and the way they took it to Brisbane. They have some good potential if they can keep that side together.
Brain Smith, for all his critics, is at his best in developing young sides. He has an ability to get good things out of young players and to put structures in place to get the best out of works in progress.
Seems that where he struggles is in getting top sides to play to their best when it counts most.

 

[Simon]

like your selection of Walsh at hooker, I'd be shocked if its not him. Hugely disagree with a number of your other picks, but we're all entitled to our opinions.

I'll have a think about it and come up with mine soon.

 

[howardj]

Is it even close, QLD 2nd XIII would be better then NSW tbh.

Bowen, Tate, Bell, Rogers, Tonga, Prince, Conk

v

Gildey, Lawrence, Gasnier, Cooper, Hayne, Anasta, Wallace

More like:

1 Stewart
2 Grothe
3 Hayne
4 Gaz
5 Quinn
6 Anasta
7 Pearce

 

[Simon]

lol you're picking Anthony Quinn on the wing for nsw, good job.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

1 Stewart
2 Grothe
3 Cooper
4 Gasnier
5 Hayne
6 Anasta
7 Wallace

Is what I'd pick. Just don't want Pearce to play until next year.