So taking as many money hungry imports as the budget allows, who are willing to shelve there international career and play in an inferior league in the process, will help our youngsters develop (when they aren't keeping half of the youngsters out of the team, that is)?



Wiganer in 'communist cap' obsession horror. But back to the subject....



If Eastmond wanted to play in the NRL I would be delighted for him, as long as we put a clause in his contract for if he ever came back. Great idea in principle, like other successful small print such as the case of Adrian Morley and Iestyn Harris

Likelihood of legal challenge = high on this one for sure.

not sure, bradford nearly went broke for breaking a similar agreement between harris and leeds

Sure, but that's not really what you were saying originally was it? You said you'd have no problem with him going to the NRL. I think we should do everything possible to keep him, and anyone else with real talent, from going to the NRL because we need his talent here to compete with the NRL not just in international matches but also on a weekly basis. I can fully appreciate the temptation of the NRL but we should do everything we can to avoid losing the likes of Kyle to it. IMO, obviously.

No it shouldn't. If we have great talent here then it should be gracing our game and not the game in another country, not least another country that is perfectly capable of producing its own talent. Why should we look down on our own game and keep it at what you say is a lower level? Surely we need to be doing everything possible to facilitate home grown talent remaining in this country so that the standard of our national competition grows and our chances on the international front grow likewise?

I would have no problem with his decision. That is not to say I wouldn't be mightily depressed.

Your usenet buddy was correct. It was souths

I agree with your sentiment but I am also interested in our British players getting better as well and currently playing in the NRL can help that. Players who have ambition want to test themselves at the highest level so I wouldn't begrudge Eastmond trying his luck in the NRL but going to Yawnion is a completely different matter.

I really don't understand that rationale. They may well get better but they won't be playing for our clubs so how would that positively affect our game?





I'm confused. He wouldn't be playing for Saints or for any British club so what is the difference between him going to the NRL or to Union?

I would imagine that if they improve their game by playing in the NRL then we stand a better chance of turning over the Aussies which is important to me.







Because I want a talent like Eastmond to stay in the game. You appear to be focussing on Saints and Eastmond's importance to us whereas I am more interested in assessing his worth to our sport and in particular British rugby league. If he's going to play over here then I want it to be at Saints. If he wants to go the NRL then I will wish him the very best of luck. If he wants to go and play Yawnion then I'm not interested in him at all.

You are assuming that he would want to play for England should he end up in the NRL?





I still don't understand. You say you want him to be of value to the British game but you would be happy/not concerned/whatever to see him leave it?



Of course I am focusing upon Saints. He is a Saints-grown talent and I want our talent to stay with us. If he feels the need to move from Saints then I want British talent to stay within the British game. IMO, Kyle would be lost to the British game whether he went to the NRL or to Union, as neither are the British RL game.



Your distinction between Union and the NRL is totally lost on me I'm afraid. They both equal a loss to Saints and British RL of a talented player to me.