***Official*** NRL 2008 Thread

[Simon]

How aren't they world class? Just because only 3 or 4 countries actively participate in League doesn't mean there isn't a world class player.

Anyway, Raiders were absolutely terrible tonight.



P.S. I am not a crackpot.

Reckon CW could put together to beat Canberra on tonight's performance

 

[James90]

Would probably beat both Penrith and Canterbury on tonight's performance. Worst game of all time.

 

[Simon]

Would probably beat both Penrith and Canterbury on tonight's performance. Worst game of all time.

dunno, Raiders were really shocking, at least Penrith have finished off a couple of chances.

 

[BoyBrumby]

tbf I think the Aussie team is just that good. We have absolute brilliant world class players in every position and somehow it seems to just gel.

Stretching a bit to call Bird world class, you'd have thought...?

 

[James90]

For the record, did anyone suspect that Patten and SBW would miss tonight's game? I could see Penrith shortening progressively throughout the day and visited many websites expecting to see something about SBW being injured. Couldn't find anything though so had a tenner on the dogs. I blame the media.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Reckon CW could put together to beat Canberra on tonight's performance

Haha yeah, they were very very bad. Away from home they just don't seem to cope. Roosters weren't even that good, Canberra were just terrible and kept coughing the ball up in their own half.



P.S. I am not a crackpot.

 

[chaminda_00]

Campese three year deal at the Raiders take off the table, as they join the search for Barrett. So gun, a decent five-eigth/halfback is on the market. Would prefer him to Bell tbh.

 

[Burgey]

Talk is Tate and Bell are favored for vacant wing/centre spot over Slater, due to their better defence. Would go with Slater personally as there nothing wrong with their defence in the backline and he isn't that bad anymore himself. Doubt it will make too much difference. Queensland should still win by 50 odd anyway.

I'll buy you a $2 lottery ticket if Qld win by 50.

 

[Simon]

For the record, did anyone suspect that Patten and SBW would miss tonight's game? I could see Penrith shortening progressively throughout the day and visited many websites expecting to see something about SBW being injured. Couldn't find anything though so had a tenner on the dogs. I blame the media.

SBW was ruled out around midday and I heard on the radio about 3:30 that Patten wasnt going to play, I was on Penrith big time, unfortunately I had them boxed with the Cowboys in nearly all my multi's.

 

[Simon]

Campese three year deal at the Raiders take off the table, as they join the search for Barrett. So gun, a decent five-eigth/halfback is on the market. Would prefer him to Bell tbh.

On the radio here Canberra have denied they are after Barrett, which is stupid anyway. Campese is rubbish and plays about three good games a season.

 

[Simon]

Stretching a bit to call Bird world class, you'd have thought...?

Maybe not a world class five eighth, but in the past 18 months he's shown hes in the top 5 forwards in the world. If the rumours are true that when Kimmorely leaves the Sharks Seymour (who is apparently a target of Wigan anyway) will go to halfback and Bird will play in the 6, I don't think he'll have the impact playing there every week.

 

[howardj]

Gould's NSW Team

Stewart
Hayne
Cooper
Gasnier
Roberts
Anasta
Finch

Bird
Mason
Hoffman
Ryles
Buderus
White

- Toupou
- Gallen
- Kite
- Gidley

 

[Simon]

I dare them to pick that team.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

That's not too bad a team considering the options. I don't rate Hoffman and personally wouldn't have him in the squad at all, but Bellamy coaching means he'll be there.

 

[Simon]

This weekend would have to be the worst standard of Rugby League in history. So many teams are just woeful at the moment.

 

[chaminda_00]

This weekend would have to be the worst standard of Rugby League in history. So many teams are just woeful at the moment.

Apart from Manly, we were gun as always.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Think I've tipped like 1/5 so far. FFS.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

3/5 myself.

 

[chaminda_00]

3/5 too, would have got 4/5 if I tipped Manly.

 

[chaminda_00]

Just looking a Gould's side it is not too hard to see how many of his favorite/Roosters players he choice due to baised. Not that other coaches don't do to same, just look at some of Stuart rep selections over the years and Bennett for that matter. With that in mind it will be interesting to see how many of Bellamy's favorites get selected.

Guys like Quintin, Turner, Hoffman (but he should be there in the first place), White, Cross and Orford might have inside running on a couple positions. Will be interesting to see how many of these guys he gets into the side, considering the NSW selectors usually don't give the coaches too much say until they start winning matches or the series is on the line.