Quite a few NRL outside backs seem to burn out quickly too though (Fus being a good case in point).
We have had the likes of Senior, Watkins and Hall who can handle the physicality at NRL level. We don't have as many but there are some - and the crop we have at Leeds currently include some tall athletic lads who will fill out in time.
As for the rest I don't know if the difference is genetic (probably a fair amount of this), steroids, better training or what.
The islander kids are a huge source or big athletes, both forwards and backs.
Another thing is that players don't generally start in the NRL until they are older. You just don't see many teenagers, and a lot don't debut until their early 20s - even players who become stars. One reason for this is that the development pathways include serious lower grade rugby - NSW Cup, Queensland Cup etc - where young players learn to play open age at a pretty decent standard for several years before most get a sniff of the NRL, as well as working on physical developemnt.
But fundamentally its a supply issue - RL is a huge sport in NSW and Queensland, and draws on the very best athletes, many of whom dream of playing NRL.
There are lots of bigger lads in the north of England who could make really good RL players, but aren't interested as they all want to be footballers or nothing at all. Odd how Wales seems to find big, fast lads to play rugby, but in RL heartlands its a real struggle - so many of our threequarters are just lightweight and not even that quick. How we tap into that resource is beyond me though....
Simpson, Smith and one or two others are a good size. There is enough talent for the top clubs but game wide not so much in the UK.
Herbie Farnworth is 6’3” and Dom Young 6’7” according to Wiki.
Also there is still room in RL for the slightly smaller player like Miller. He is a right chunkster though and has obviously worked really hard at his strength.
All views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the RLFANS.COM or its subsites.
Whilst every effort is made to ensure that news stories, articles and images are correct, we cannot be held responsible for errors. However, if you feel any material on this website is copyrighted or incorrect in any way please contact us using the link at the top of the page so we can remove it or negotiate copyright permission.
RLFANS.COM, the owners of this website, is not responsible for the content of its sub-sites or posts, please email the author of this sub-site or post if you feel you find an article offensive or of a choice nature that you disagree with.
