With representative season in full swing, the clubs of the National Rugby League are doing it tough. Some a lot tougher than others. On the other side of the planet, the English Super League is into round one6.
Which Super League stars could come back and do a job in each NRL team?
Broncos: With coach Anthony Griffin resting his State of Origin stars through a very tough period, the Broncos would probably love an extra prop or two, especially after David Hala went down with a shocking knee injury on Friday night.
Answer: Lopini Paea
Bulldogs: Canterbury are absolutely stretched to the max right now for outside backs. Even with the signing of former New Zealand Warrior, Krisnan Inu. Mitch Brown was another nice signing for the club, but you feel Des Hasler would like a little more experience.
Answer: Joel Monaghan
Raiders: Wow Canberra are in massive strife right now. They need a whole lot of help if they are to resurrect what has been a terrible season to date. Captain Terry Campese is gone for the year and you suspect the Raiders need more than just one player. Perhaps a new coach is in order too.
Answer: Lance Hohaia and Iosia Soliola
Cowboys: North Queensland are a tricky one. The Cowboys seem to be doing just fine at the minute but with Robert Lui out for the year and Johnathan Thurston on duty with Queensland, a utility back who can play in the halves might lighten the burden for Thurston and young Ray Thompson.
Answer: Jarrod Sammut
Titans: The Gold Coast are plodding along pretty well at the moment considering many punters had them further down the table a little while back. Aidan Sezer is a player of the future, but is he a player of right now? Scott Prince definitely needs a little more help.
Answer: Brett Finch
Sea Eagles: The premiers are being stretched to the limit right now with State of Origin commitments and injury hindering their progress. Tony Williams is gone for another six weeks, but it’s their outside backs looking thin. Might be time to bring back a fan favourite to Brookvale.
Answer: Michael Robertson
Storm: Does Melbourne really need any extra help? Craig Bellamy’s men are flying at the moment and are stacked for options in the backs and in the forwards. Perhaps this is the right time to bring an English star to our shores and put him into one of the best programmes in the NRL.
Answer: Sam Tomkins
Knights: Newcastle are a mess. The Novocastrians need help all over the park. Their fullback is timid, the halves are struggling and their forward pack has no grunt. Making things worse is injury has hampered the seasons of Kurt Gidley and Danny Buderus.
Answer: Josh Perry and Luke O’Donnell
Eels: The once mighty Parramatta Eels are scratching away at 2012 and are so close to a win it’s not funny. But the blue and gold are still lacking quality and finish. Chris Sandow has been a fail so far this season and probably needs a little more help in the backline if he is to fire.
Answer: Clint Greenshields and Francis Meli
Panthers: Penrith may have had a wonderful win on the weekend against a lacklustre Manly outfit, but there are still big problems at the foot of the mountains. The Panthers have a great forward pack with a hard working hooker, but the backs are a real problem. Penrith need to add experience and depth to their outside men.
Answer: Setaimata Sa
Sharks: Cronulla still lack a few quality outside backs to go with Todd Carney and Nathan Gardner. Michael Gordon sure is a good signing for them, but they are short a really good finisher.
Answer: Pat Richards
Rabbitohs: South Sydney are on a wave to the playoffs in 2012 on the back of Greg Inglis and a monster forward pack. Adam Reynolds has blossomed in his rookie season and John Sutton seems to be taking more responsibility. Michael Maguire is getting plenty from some young wingers at the club, but another experienced one wouldn’t hurt.
Answer: Ryan Hall
Dragons: The Saints are at a crossroads in 2012. They’ve struggled in recent weeks and probably didn’t deserve to beat Parramatta at Kogarah on the weekend. The million dollar question is, can St George Illawarra win without Jamie Soward and Ben Hornby? Do the Dragons have a back-up plan?
Answer: Craig Gower
Roosters: Sydney on their day can compete with anyone in the NRL. They have a monster forward pack, experience in key positions and some very good kids coming through their system. But are there too many kids in the top 17 right now?
Answer: Anthony Laffranchi
Warriors: New Zealand are the Jekyll and Hyde of the NRL. They are either sublime in everything that they do and entertain the masses or stumble their way through a game. Nathan Friend is a machine in the middle of the field, but I would like to see a little more creativity for Shaun Johnson to play off. There is a bench spot there at the Warriors.
Answer: James Roby
Tigers: Wests might have Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah getting them through games, but if the go forward stops, the Tigers stop. I would love to see Wigan backrower Sean O’Loughlin at the club, but there just isn’t any room for another backrower, especially with Braith Anasta and Eddy Pettybourne on their way.
Answer: Ryan Bailey
League Freak
Roar Guru
This article was a good giggle.
AH
Guest
Kind of like the Wallabies.... Ouch!
Marcel Proust
Guest
KOTG, They struggled with crowds when they took Magic away from the heartlands: RL is not popular in either Cardiff or Edinburgh. The RFL thought that crowds would be better if it took place closer to the RL areas. Simple.
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
What did you think of e magic weekend crowds? Ashame it's no longer taken to non rl areas.
Bearfax
Guest
Ah yes Oikee.Brisbane's answer to Phil Gould....its always everyone elses fault. Yep a whole state of players to chose from and they still cant get near a premiership since Bennet beat it...yes I know...its other clubs fault for stealing their best players...hmmm. (Bad Bearfax stirring up trouble like that...should be ashamed of yourself)
PLANKO
Guest
Just read the article about Whare ... I think he will be missed by my Eagles
PLANKO
Guest
Maybe Bearfax but I am sure Oikee will come swooping in soon claiming that Manly has a 7 million dollar cap ! My contacts are saying is that Lussick is going to make way for Tony to stay. Whare where was this any papers or runour have not heard that one.. However it does not mean it is not happening.
Mark Young
Roar Guru
Francis Meli?? So too is Italy
Bearfax
Guest
Manly's depth is being sorely tested now that Whare has signed with Penrith, Lussick is about to join Parramatta and Tony Williams is near signing with Canterbury. Holding onto their star players is making their second tier looking very thin indeed. Their Toyota Cup side is coming last as it is, though their Ball team were impressive until they hit the semis. Any other teams got a few spare competent reserve players going cheap? Interesting Penrith grabbing Whare. Makes it seem even more obvious they want Jennings out.
Renegade
Guest
Tomkins would be best off at Fullback at any club that doesn't have Slater or Inglis....
PLANKO
Guest
Non doggie Monaghan did go far too early but he did get good money. The Wolves I think they have at least gotten some value. Menzies could be the next Sorensen playing into his 40's
Big Tommy
Guest
Are you serious english rugby is an absolute joke. Did you not see them in the world cup last year. They were appalling. For a team that has the most registered players to choose from out of all rugby nations they should be a lot better than what they are.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
I always thought M Monaghan left too soon
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Figures .. Is there any English born players left in the RU side ?
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Roby is a gun agreed, but if you had a rotation between Friend and Roby, you would have to start Friend surely ?
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Boom Boom .. todays winner of the Curtis Woodward showbag is Matt F .. Well played haha
Koeli
Guest
English rugby isn't too bad, Chev walker and lee smith both Great Britain internationals couldn't make the first team at bath and wasps and in one season Joel Tomkins and Kyle Eastmond started 2 games between them. Knowing England they'll pick him for a couple of games, make him ineligible for Samoa and drop him, just like they did with Vainikolo. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Bearfax
Guest
Manly could use Michael Monaghan and Steve menzies back to add some spark to their attack. Both are gettting ong in the tooth but they've got enthusiasm in attack Manly are sorley missing at present.
Big Tommy
Guest
That doesnt say much about the depth of english rugby.
Steve
Guest
Unfortunately Sa has returned to rah rah. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.