PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
been Adrian Morley. “You can be just as effective a player here,” says the Warrington prop, “but I will say that when New Zealand were struggling as a nation, they grew stronger as they got more players involved in the NRL. “The more English players we get over in the NRL, the more that will strengthen the national side. I’ll agree with Robes (James Roby) to a degree that you can ply your trade in Super League and still be a good international player. I just feel as though the NRL is at a slightly higher level, so the more you’re exposed to it, the better player you’ll be.
“But what I’d hate to see is all the top
English players go over. That would be a disaster. We still need some English superstars over here, but if seven or eight want to go to the NRL, then that’s fantastic.”
Weather, or not
Rochdale coach John Stankevitch, who came face to face with Australia’s finest as a St Helens player in the 2000, 2001 and 2003 World Club Challenges, also reckons there are benefits to heading Down Under. But he’s pretty forceful in rejecting the
suggestion only Australian coaching methods will develop Britain’s best. “I get pretty pissed off with the ‘let’s do it the Australian way’ attitude,” he says. “I think it’s bullshit, I really do. “I know of coaches that are both British and Australian that are shite. It’s nothing to do with being Australian, Kiwi or English – the biggest difference is undoubtedly the weather. “If you go and train full time in the sun
every single day you’re bound to improve. I think we’ve done five skills sessions at Rochdale in the last four months because that’s all the weather and facilities have allowed us to do. “In Australia, I bet they’re doing three skills sessions a week even at semi-pro level. They’re bound to be better.” He adds: “When my kids go to school, most days it’s pissing down
The media view When
Adrian Morley went to play in the NRL it
did him a power of good, and he brought some good values back to the England squad. He was a sounding board for blokes like Gareth Ellis. It isn’t for every player, but it is for those who have more of an outlook about expanding their horizons. The good thing about Morley, Ellis and Burgess is that they almost act like ambassadors for Super League. Although Super League doesn’t have the profile down there that we’d want, they do now recognise it produces some bloody good players. Increasingly I think more guys in the England set up are listening to Morley and Burgess and thinking ‘if I really want to progress, then I’ve got to test myself at the
26 APRIL 2011 - RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD
Mark Flanagan is developing nicely at
Wests Tigers Chris Irvine, The Sunday Times
ultimate level’. If I was James Graham I’d be thinking ‘can I progress here (the UK)?’ Whether it will make for a better England team - it’s just one part of a possible solution, no more than that. It will get them used to playing in a tough, week-in, week-out intensity that Super League unfortunately doesn’t
Adrian Morley in action for
Sydney in the NRL 2004
Grand Final
provide. I think the players benefit as people too because they’re under the media spotlight. But I don’t see the NRL as a threat. I see it as a good thing, especially staying within Rugby League rather than switching to rugby union.
I’d be sad to see James Graham go because it would be a loss to Super League, but I’d be sad to see him stay if he opted for life at St Helens.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84