Exactly, specialist positions have been removed and a generic back, half back and forward are the norm now. They all pretty much play the same game, just change the name. There's no personalities anymore, no real flair.



I used to love Dermot, he was like an extra half back on the field. He made Edwards and Gregs job easier by either causing confusion from dummy half, or his ability to pass the ball direct from the floor, something most modern hookers fail to do.

No that is wrong on all counts. Riddell not only looks unfit he is unfit as MM has come out and said. It's also wrong because if you think Riddell is a craftsmen you must be going senile

He isn't a scooter that's for sure but neither has he the sublime distribution skills of a player like Dermott. Far to too many times last season his passing was wayward.



Bottom line is that it ought to be time by now for the novelty that he isn't Higham to have worn off and that you judge him for the payer he is, not that he isn't Higham. If you did that then you wouldn't be using words like craftsmen and his name in the same sentence!



Dave

Interesting how you become a critic of distribution now Higham is gone.



Riddell is a craftsman and a very intelligent player, he did not hit the straps last year but was still an improvement on what we had.



MM has said he needs to work on his fitness, but the bit you have missed out is he has also praised him as a player.

I like piggy and I hope he comes good but it's also fair to see why people shoot him down so much.

IF the two teams met tomorrow and the 1985 side was the same age as they was when they won it the 1985 would win anybody agree/disagree ?

Completely disagree. They are nowhere near as fit as the lads are today. The defence would really punish the 85 team and they'd struggle with the physicality of the modern game.



I know weight isn't everything but Brian Case (prop) wasn't as heavy as Lockers. The size of the modern player is a million miles away from where it was 25 years ago.

What about the numbers 1-7 it was a better back line back in 85 u must agree.

Totally disagree, the current team would put a cricket score on them. It would be frightening to see someone like Feka against them even in his spells he would destroy them.



All things being equal training etc you would back the 85 team but put them on a field as they were against a modern SL team they would get smashed.

How about giving the 85 team the same training methods, diets of current SL standards..etc from an early age then putting them on the field together.



For example, would Shaun Edwards, Henderson Gill have been better RL players if they were only mid twenties today? (Forget about their medal wins), just their performances!



Lets not forget 99% of those players in 85 had other full time jobs, smoke, drank, ate the food we (non athletes) do and trained for a few hours a week.

See the second paragraph of the post you quote.

the 85 team had more skill and flair and pace ...no contest they would romp home against the team of now , the team of now are too predictable and lack ideas when in the oppositions 20 yard area.

the 85 team could tire out todays team because they knew how to move the ball around and create chances.

size is not always priority it is your tackling tequnique brian case could knock anyone down.