barham red wrote:I am no way a sychophant to all thing HKR, I can see our faults and will comment when I do. But what annoys me is the perception HKR are the only club persuing all things aussie. Look at Wigan, IIRC they are running with 8 aussies, this is the champions, the team heralded for their youth development. Yes they produce players other teams take but if they were so righteous they would have these players playing before the likes of Finch, Lima, Hoffman, Leului, Richards, Carmont, Hansen and Roberts.
Whilst I won't for a second try and say we're completely clean of overseas players, there are a few issues with what you've said. Firstly, Finch hasn't yet played a game for us, Harrison Hansen came through our academy, Josh Charnley is currently keeping EDIT: (a fully fit) Roberts out of the squad (although he may be brought in at Full Back next week because of Sam Tomkins' absence) and Pat Richards was last year's top try scorer, points scorer, goal kicker AND Man of Steel - of course an academy lad stands little chance of getting into the squad ahead of him when he's fit, he's world class.
The reason we're currently "heralded for our youth development" is that if you look at the squad for Sunday's game against your hateful little neighbours, you'd find: Sam Tomkins, Darrell Goulding, Stefan Marsh, Josh Charnley, Paul Deacon, Andy Coley, Michael McIllorum, Joel Tomkins, Sean O'Loughlin, Lee Mossop, Liam Farrell and Chris Tuson. All English players, and all except Deacon and Coley came through our own youth system before being promoted to the first team. There's also bags more players littered around Superleague who came through our academy but I shan't bore you with them unless you ask.
