Interesting comments about Saints style of play, quality of players and performance of the coach on the Wakefield game thread. Let's extend the discussion and look at the wider picture.
I am not at all impressed by the style of play in many games by the Saints, culminating in the Wakefield game. However, I am unimpressed by the style of play and standard of ANY SL teams at this time.
I am sure lots of Saints fans have been watching NRL games in recent months - it has been an interesting view to say the least. In my view, there is a massive difference between the 2 Leagues on ALL LEVELS.
NRL players are bigger, faster, tougher, stronger and fitter. These are all physical factors so I should add that the skill levels of SL players bear no comparison with their counterparts in the
NRL.
The result of these differences is that the NRL is a top quality product which makes it a much more attractive game, highly successful in competition with other sports (including Aussie RU) and brings much exposure and finance into the game.
In addition, to mention the standard of TV presentation and refereeing in SL (both absolutely appalling for a professional sport) in the same sentence as the NRL equivalent is an embarrassment I have just committed.
It hurts me to say that the game we are seeing in SL (and I include Saints) will not move forward in any meaningful way unless things change. It will slowly decline.
How to bring the improvements needed and where to start this process is a whole new discussion.