Because the reserve comp is a joke.

Look at the link I posted above.

Wigan and Saints probably had six hard games at academy and reserve level last season. How are we ever to find out if a player is ready in competitions like that.

I applaud Saints for sending their kids out on loan, it's something we need to do more of at Wigan, and I also think that our top academy players should be sent on one year scholarships to Australia.

We are light years behind the Aussies, as was illustrated again last night.

That's the most intelligent thing I've seen you write. Totally agree.

The only issue with Rogues' suggestion, will the Ockers be willing to take in the cream of our crop for OUR benefit?

Knowing what they do with Kiwi youngsters they would repatriate them instead of sending them back.

maybe each super league club should link up with one aussie club? it will impove the quality of our youngsters and give their youngsters a chance to sample a different style of rugby

It was a suggestion I made last year at the Wigan fans forum to Ian Lenagan.

I asked him again in Australia and again at the pre-season fans forum.
Yes, I'm a stubborn old b*gg*r .

Wigan are looking into it.

What do we (British Rugby League) have to lose. Regardless of what Mick and Montmorency on Sky tell us the game over here has gone backwards.

Look at last night, that score flattered Leeds (I wanted Leeds to win).

Something has to be done. There are a FEW good young kids coming through, but nowhere near enough to trouble the Aussies.

A good mate of mine who occasionally posts on here "Jukesays" made a superb point why we were in Aus.

Some people were saying the Superleague has got better because it's more competitive.

Jukesays point was that you can have two amateur teams (St. Pats v Thatto Heath for example) and it can be competitive, but it may not be high quality.

come on the heath

Its a good idea Rogues. In the past younger players really benefitted from this. When Chris Joynt was at Oldham as a young player he spent time playing RL in Australia and he said that he really developed as a player from the opportunity.

Jamie Peacock played down under as well.

For me the best solution is what Saints do, and thats organise tours down under for academy players.

It costs money, but it exposes them to the top class talent down under and gives them highly competitive matches. The club then get a fair idea of who has what it takes and can fast track them.