You clearly haven't seen him play much! On the speed tests he's done on the international squads he's been the fastest, he's also one of the fastest at Saints now.

Oh, and Murph thinks he's a fantastic player, who will be an international.

I agree. Watching the Aus vs NZ test from the week past the one thing that stood out is the sheer athleticism and intensity of their players. Bar Lockyer, every one of their squad looked massive but extremely quick with it, and even Lockyer at what... 32? looked as fit as a fiddle and threw himself into everything.

The intensity and determination shown by the aussies (and kiwis too) for 80 minutes was a joy to watch and for me is where we are so behind on the international stage. That and the fact that the majority of their attacking/creative players would probably cope well in each others positions.

Got to agree with this too, and have said as much since i saw the first NRL game this year. Even though the test last week was played 'to international rules' i.e. one ref, the play of the ball was a hell of a lot faster than during the world cup.

Only thing that doesn't indicate is minutes on the pitch. I'd like to see the difference, but it does clearly show how much work Graham gets through!

But what is the reason? Why cant we produce the same calibre of atheletes? Was watching that four corners docu on the scandals in the NRL and it had the newcastle under 20 squad on it and they looked far older and bigger than their english counterparts. Obviously there are exceptions like Sam Burgess but in the main, we are just light years behind.

They are few and far between in the key positions that matter though.