i will have to consult my lawyer about that libel. then again maybe it is Ponner who is the most insulted

True.

People have moaned for years about over the hill Aussies etc coming over to top their pension up, denying young British lads a go in the game.

Now we have people moaning about young British lads being give a go in the game.

It's make your mind up time. The Giants coaching staff obviously thought they would hold their own and not be disgraced.

The way the game started it could easily have been an avalanche but the young Giants defended well and will have gained valuable confidence from the 80 mins.

We should be praising our youth development policy. It seems Karl Harrison is.

I'm not so sure these games do give our kids any confidence. If anything it will have been knocked. The bottom line is that we've 5 games to get our squad ready for the start of SL. That's now 4 with last weekends gone. I'm not saying playing our strongest squad in the friendlies but playing a few will blow away the cobwebs in preperation for the Bulls game. If Eorl's testimonial game is pretty much a full strength team then I can understand NB playing a weak team against Batley but i'm sure there could have been a few experienced players who won't play this weekend that could have been given a run out.
It depends how you want to look at it because it's a catch 22 really. Do you play your best players to get them ready to hit the ground running and risk injuries. Or do you wrap them in cotton wool then when the season starts and they're rusty and losing games(which can become a habit and knocks confidence)

That's a fair view - here's mine.

I think the kids will be on cloud nine with Paul Anderson's and Karl Harrison's praises ringing in their ears. These two coaches did everything in the game and praise from them is praise indeed.

We have now four tough games with quality sides to prepare the 1st team squad who have now had a good extra week to prepare. That's plenty of game time to put everyone through their paces. We may have injuries but they will not be risked if they aren't fit enough to compete. If they are they'll get a run out and should give it 100% as any less will result in possible injury. If they are unlucky enough to get injured so be it - that's the nauture of RL.

Bring on Fax - should be a great hit out.

The weather may well put pay to some of these.