Quote ="rollin thunder"offiah was a rep player in Union and on the verge of England selection. so it was not the gamble you make out. Dough laughton did not gamble on signing talent. the previous poster made out that Offiah may have stuggled and not got a cjance without reserves, but he was straight into first team any never looked back. Jonathan davies at Widnes only played about 3-4 reserv games before going into first team, i used Schofield as he was an example of a great player who were ready made super star players like Offiah. but i can use Hanley who compared to Schofield was a late developer, schofield was a Gb international at 18 and Hanly who was a couple years older was only just breaking through into Bradford side.
Brough Steadman Lowes were all playing in what was then division 2 (or 3 with brough) they developed in the first team at lower division clubs not A team rugby, so you have confirmed my argument to be correct, late bloomers still have a pathway to the top without a reserve team. so go on name all these hidden trialists and gems that went to the top via the reserves.
once again you cannot come back with debate you simply resort to name calling and try to belittle people.'"
Hanley got into the Bradford side at 18, he also got into other things that restricted his development like other peoples houses!
