you would need big money to bring in a top half back to go with brough

but would it work... what a combo we had in brough and brown!!!! didnt pay off.

long term i think we should be giving jake connor a chance to partner brough. he has played in the role before and played well.

right now though we are on form so have to stick with ellis.

Ryan Hampshire at Wigan OOC and wants to leave. Would be immsuarably better than any other half we have to go with Brough.

Does not want to play second fiddle to Tompkins.

I would give ellis, patrick, robbo and wood to wigan to have him partnering brough.

Their salaries combined would allow us to go for another half back.

People who want "a top halfback" I ask you this

Name who you want, that's available to sign - go on

Wood is very good, attacks the line and links well but maybe lacks a good kicking game but is a good passer

Ellis has a decent kicking game and also attacks the line, bit more nuggety than Wood and adds a different dimention

Robbo - at the end of a very good career, tough as teak and still got an eye for the line, organises well to take that job of Brough

Would losing Brough effect us? Of course - he's the best halfback in the country, genuine international class

Can the cowboys be the same without Thurston or Storm without Cronk? A player like that isn't replaced in a hurry

I haven't seen reference to him wanting to leave Wigan but IIRC he is from Wakefield. Fits the Giants mould of being young and British. Stand off, quick. Haven't seen enough of him to say if he would complement Brough. But I would certainly want to know more if he was available.

Well we have done very well out of Wigan in the past, Why not as DG say have a go for Hampshire, Also there will be lots of players playing second grade in Os. Do we have a spotter of any Ilk over there.
All the players mentioned can do a job on their day with wood being the one to keep out of them for me. But being brutally honest, you tell me if wood is the man Why did we move him on to Wakey. and at Cas there was no Sam Tomkins keeping Ellis out of the side.
I grew up watching really classy halves, so I dare say I expect too much.

He is another victim of the Wigan production line , Too many quality players to keep.

I don't know if he is available, but I wouldn't be surprised with Tomkins returning.

Hampshire is from west yorkshire and rarely gets a run in his best position at Wigan is soon OOC and a lot of clubs are interested in his services if Wigan decide to move him on us included,think Anderson is more of a Sam Powell fan another who is being wasted out of position at Wigan.Rumours on the Warrington board that they have signed Hughes as we failed to agree terms would be a shame as i think he has made a big differance to our defence this year and seemed to be clicking in attack more in recent weeks

Maybe because Wood wasn't right for us at the time

Might as well ask why hull and wakey let Brough go

I'm sure there are some decent halfbacks playing lower grade in Aus but we have a few decent halfbacks already - why as a top 4 team do we want a player not good enough for Aussie first grade?

Name me a top halfback available anywhere we might sign?

I've seen my share of quality halves in my time too and Wood and Ellis are as useful as any subordinate halfback in the league

As far as I know every club who have let brough go has been because of off field problems, but there have been none at the Giants I don't think.

As far as second grade in Oz is concerned, you and me both know the game is at a far higher level over there, I might as well just say to you, why would we want to sign a second grade coach ( who paid his own fare ) and turned out to be arguably the best we have had.

Best we just agree to disagree on this, because we both obviously have our opinions, and I may just be expecting too much.

Just as a matter of interest who are the classy halfbacks you have watched in your time, It's interesting to get other peoples views on players you have Rated yourself.

i remember us signing that ben kusto , an aussie for half back...shocking

gene ngamu didnt pay off either. NZ international.

Fwiw I watch pretty much every NRL game every week


It is not a higher standard than SL and the only halfbacks I'd want us to sign we cant afford

I'd be interested to know the availability of Wire halves next year.

As I understand it they have Ratchford, Mylor, Patton, O'Brien, Russell, Gidley and Bridge for next year that can play in the FB/Half back role, I don't know how they are thinking of appeasing everyone, but I would guess that one or two will leave.

If Ratchford was available for example, i think he would be a great fit, although id imagine they would want to keep him.

I like Wood and Ellis, they both have spells where they are really strong. But lack the consistency to really make a position their own.

Well we are definitely going to have to agree to disagree if that's what you think, How many games have we taken off them since 1973, 4 / 5 is it. something doesn't seem to add up to the game here being on a par.

Yes like I have said they are all capable of having a good game, but none of them have the game on a regular basis to make a position theirs, Robbo has been an excellent player in his time.

I would say either Mylor or O'Brian are the type of player who would fit with Brough, Both seem to me to play a more Backing up /Poacher type of game ,rather than a controlling one .

I think Kusto was signed on the strength of him being Western's mate, and I agree he was awful

There have been a lot of shockers shipped over here, and Huddersfield have had their share, Problem is when we get a good one we get rid.

All that said we continue to bring em over.

40 years ago it wasn't, and hadn't been until maybe the last decade really

But there's a lot of complication in between

Fair enough, Are you going to tell me who are the best halves you have watched.

Kusto was world class compared to his predecessor Chris Orr.

Yes I think that is who I was thinking of, Wasn't he supposed to be a former playing partner of Craig Western, Anyway you are right he was dreadful.

I've not read all of this but didn't Hansen allegedly move into a fully paid up 4 bedroom detached house when he signed for Salford?

...in Salford.

We aren't even close to the Australians.

If we look at the results since the Tri-Nations humiliation at Elland Road in 2004, which should have been a huge wake up call to the British game then the 'Roos results against England/GB looks like

P12 W11 D0 L1 For 365 Against 169


I don't tend to take international RL seriously these days, because it's very apparent that the Australians consider England a laughing stock so I don't see why I shouldn't.

I don't mind the mediocrity. If that's where we are, that's where we are. But I really get annoyed at the acceptance of mediocrity, and worse, the portrayal of mediocrity as something to be proud of.


[urlhttp://www.leaguefreak.com/self-serving-rfl-statement-a-horror-show-for-those-looking-for-change-8083/[/url

anything about Harrison Hansen ?

Couldn't agree more. I wouldn't know any numbers but I bet a big percentage of fans don't give a S*** about international rugby, What they care about is their team, which is fine in it's way. But thinking we are up with the Aussies , Dream on.

whos bothered about the aussies.... NZ are the number 1 team now

looking forward to us taking them on in the series later this year!

England are def getting closer now, if they dont win this series though i think macnamara has to go.... Anderson in?!