Willie Talau's importance to St Helens should not be underestimated.
 Talau has played a key role |
He has slotted so quickly into the team that it's as if he'd been part of it for years. The club pulled off a great piece of wheeler dealing by bringing him in on loan for the last few months of the season.
He was going to join us anyway for 2004 and beyond, so we knew he was top class.
But he has played a key role for us at time when injuries and retirements were having an effect.
Such is his talent and versatility, Willie has been playing in the second row when he is more used to being in the centres.
So we can expect to see him firing on all cylinders when he's back where he feels most comfortable.
Great Britain used to be the ones who lost their best players on the eve of an important Test series.
But now it's Australia's turn to worry.
Gorden Tallis is the latest star to pull out of the tour to Britain after admitting his body has taken too much punishment over the years.
 The loss of hardman Tallis will hit Australia hard |
With Andrew Johns and several other top players already missing, the loss of Tallis is a major blow to the Kangaroos. He leads by example and is one of the hardest men ever to have played the game.
Just look at his record for club and country. He is a true winner who gives 110% every time he steps on the field of play.
In my book, he is irreplaceable.
I'd have loved to have played against Gorden again but I'm not sorry he won't be over here.
His absence gives Britain a better chance of coming out on top in the three-Test series, although whoever ends up wearing the green and gold of Australia will be present a very tough challenge.
In contrast, Britain could be at full strength for November's matches.
Kris Radlinski is looking sharp again after a long spell on the sidelines while Sean Long is hitting top form at just the right moment.
And I've finally managed to shake off the hamstring injury that has dogged me for more than two months.
MMIX
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