should make him more slippery and harder to tackle.

But if it is a myth why are there so many ex NRL assistant Coaches or failed NRL Coaches in SL that are currently considered the best in England?

As far as conditioning I am not sure but the Aussies looked at least as fit as the English players in the recent series.

There has been a history of Australia thrashing England in the last quarter, is this conditioning? Australia moving up two gears when they want to? or Shenton going off?

I hope Graham does well, the Dogs are a good option for him.
The intensity or the NRL may make him a different player if used properly, he will not be the standout that has to carry the pack and that will be good for him.

Because people believe the myth.





As fit as?




It could be, but very unlikely. More to do with things like tackle counts, missed tackles, metres made by the aussies in the game. How many in a tackle. etc. etc. Many, many variables. Aussies get on a roll, and we let our heads fall. Generally, fück all to do with fitness.





I hope so too. How often have you seen this bloke play then Jonesy, to pass such a comment on him?

I should add that the reason I say it's a myth is that I have spoken to several players who have played in both comps as well as a fitness conditioner friend who was in SL and have said there is no real difference in strength and conditioning. I can only go by what the players who actually experience it rather than us fans opinions on what we choose to believe.

They love their stats over there. He will undoubtedly impress with his metre making and willingness to take the ball up twice in a set for as long as he is on. They also like a forward who has ball skills and Graham has brilliant hands. I think they'll really rate him.

I hope he does really well, he has an amazing skillset. My only concern is his injuries but I have a feeling after a while they'll cease to be a problem.

The myth is a strong one then, the fans believe it, the Clubs in England believe it.
Who else is there to convince?

I said as least as fit as England I was being sarcastic, have you ever heard anyone say the England players are fitter than the Kangaroo's or the Kiwis and we will grind them down in the last quarter of the game?

I have never heard or seen any suggestion that if it came down to fitness or conditioning England/GB had the edge. I don't have a friend that knows these things. Which players did you talk too?

Fitness has lots to do with metres gained, tackles, fatigue, out of position etc.
Classic example in the final where Peacock was wandering around taking a breather as Gallen ran straight passed him for JT's try.

I have seen Graham play many times both at Test level and for Saints, I think he is a good player. We have TV's here nowadays and recorders, not to mention computers.

Its all good Rooster we all have our opinions.

Can I ask why you keep swearing in your posts?

Young kids frequent this forums I am told, the swear filter is there for that reason, you seem to be intentionally bypassing it.

Lesser players than Graham have succeeded in the NRL including Australians.

Ryan Tandy won Grand Finals in the NRL. It's safe to say Ricky Bibey could cope with it.

I think plenty of people have said that about Great Britain/England over the Kiwi’s. Even as recently as the 2007 series that GB won, the British had the edge in fitness going into the last quarter

In my history of watching Great Britain/England play its a pretty straight forward formulae

If it was close going into last quarter against Australia, I would expect us to lose

If it was close going into last quarter against New Zealand, I would expect us to win

Whether this is confidence, concentration, professionalism or fitness is debatable but the latter would have helped

Jonesy, I had this debate on here a few years ago and I still stand by my word that there is next to no difference between the two countries in terms of conditioning ability (I disagree a bit with RB with regards to coaching methods), the simple fact is that the athletes that australia has to choose from are simply better. Thats it. I fail to see where all these smoke and mirrors comes from. Far bigger pool = better players: end of conversation.