Archives for June 2011

With all due respect to Luke Burgess, his move from Leeds Rhinos to South Sydney Rabbitohs has raised a few eyebrows.

Back in April I wrote a piece applauding James Graham's move to Australia, while urging more top British players to follow suit. My argument here was for our top international stars to test themselves against the best Down Under, in the hope that this would produce a more battle-hardened England team capable of closing the worrying gap on the southern hemisphere superpowers.

The move was always going to happen with Luke's brothers, George and England international Sam, already warming the Sydney beaches for "Biffa's" arrival, and even more so this year with first-team chances increasingly limited under new Rhinos boss Brian McDermott.

But you always scratch your head a little when a player who can't hold down a regular Super League spot can secure a transfer to the best league in the world.

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England's inaugural International Origin match against the Exiles at Headingley on 10 June should provide the toughest test possible for the home side and their coach Steve McNamara outside of a major competition.

Former New Zealand coach Brian McClennan's Antipodean all-star squad has been specially shaped to comprise the best, most watchable New Zealand and Australian players in Super League.

Supporters have voted for 13 of the squad, with coach McClennan choosing the rest.

Next Friday sees the birth of an annual fixture which I am convinced will be a success, and speaking to the players involved, they are right behind the concept too.

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