How are the SH players in Europe doing?

[KZNSharksFan]

How are all the SH players who crossed over recently doing in Europe?

 

[Bullitt]

Spencer is a God, Mauger is a useless gimp, McAlister is average, James is running riot, the rest are, ummm, yeah.

 

[RC]

Justin Marshal, Filo Tiatia, and Marty Hollah are like the corner stone of the Ospreys.

 

[Sir Speedy]

I watch the Sale Sharks, so I'm only gonna talk about Luke Mcalister. He has had his ups and downs since coming over.
He won man of the match in one game, and was dreadful in the EDF Cup against Leicester. Although he breaks the gainline regularly with his pace and strength, and has really given the Sale midfield a pointy edge, not to mention he's been used as another kicking option when Hodgson isn't playing.
Mcalister = Boiling (as the BBC rate players ;P); although I didn't see him play for the Blues down South, ever, so I don't know what I should be comparing him to.

 

[Bullitt]

Mcalister = Boiling (as the BBC rate players ;P); although I didn't see him play for the Blues down South, ever, so I don't know what I should be comparing him to. [/b]

Compared to how he played for the Blues, McAlister has been seven different shades of shite in the Premiership.

 

[C A Iversen]

This is an interesting thread. Why it hasn't been done before is beyond me. Plus rep to the original poster. It's great getting informed, because we all just lose track down here.

 

[Prestwick]

<div class='quotemain'>Mcalister = Boiling (as the BBC rate players ;P); although I didn't see him play for the Blues down South, ever, so I don't know what I should be comparing him to. [/b]

Compared to how he played for the Blues, McAlister has been seven different shades of shite in the Premiership.
[/b][/quote]

Because he's had to actually work for a living instead of being told to go play golf by herr Henry?

Spencer is another thats actually having to earn his wage after being blatantly bone idle in Northampton's last season before being expelled to the Rugby creche with the special needs kids. Still doesn't take away from the fact that he's a smarmy little swine though.

Chris Jack however has been a revelation for Saracens. Absolutely awesome in giving impetus to a previously lethargic Saracens pack, he's powered through to score quite a few tries of his own for his new team. Absolutely fantastic, worth every penny and has taken to NH rugby like a duck to water.

 

[Incredible Schalk]

I think out of the lot the best consistently has been Butch James, the guy is a brilliant all round players. McAlistar has scored quite a few nice tries, but his handling and rugby brain have at times come into question. Having said that he hasnt played half a season yet, he has the potential to do much better.

 

[getofmeland]

Butch James has been a revelation for Bath, he is powerful, he is skilful, he links up very well with Olly Barkley (who has been on fire most of the season, bar the Saracens game where he was a bit under par...), all in all a superb all round player who has settled fantastically into the English Game, such a shame to see him injured at the weekend in the process of scoring his first Premiership Try, as for the others they really haven't had a chance to shine with the "World Cup Hangover"... or not from what I have seen

 

[Dozzy_X]

Rico Gear and Tuitupou have settled nicely at Worcester, start every game when fit, pretty decent acquisitions, and Worcester should stay up if they keep these guys fit. Mauger hasn't been a massive disappointment but overshadowed by the likes of Hipkiss, Rambeni and even a resurgent Ollie Smith. Think he probably still needs some time to alter his game, unlike Butch James, who's massive defence is getting him far with Bath. The stand out man for me though would be Chris Jack, seen him play alot in Super 14/All Blacks and he hasnt let anything slip. Its amazing that he plays 2nd row cuz his workrate at Saracens is unbelievable and more like that of a 6/7.

 

[shazbooger]

Dougie Howlett has made a real impression with Munster. Fans are impressed anyway.

 

[C A Iversen]

Gee, a World XV made out of SH players up there would do pretty well in a tour of the UK and France wouldn't they?

Not that it would happen, just imagining that talent collected.

 

[187]

I think out of the lot the best consistently has been Butch James, the guy is a brilliant all round players. McAlistar has scored quite a few nice tries, but his handling and rugby brain have at times come into question. Having said that he hasnt played half a season yet, he has the potential to do much better. [/b]

and that is exactly why henry told him to stay a couple more years in NZ so he could mature and develop his game in the all black circle.

still an outstanding player i reckon with or without that extra few years in the all blacks.

 

[Prestwick]

He'll mature so much faster when he gets some high risk Heineken Cup rugby under his belt. He'll learn so much more about World Rugby than being cooped up in that little corner of the South Sea with occasional internationals to pique his fancy.

I think this is why Chris Jack is loving the Guinness Premiership and HEC so much. He's getting so much game time now with tough and demanding rugby week in week out all the way from September to May the next year.

 

[sesenta y cuatro]

1.-Howlett's game for Munster has been as we knew it: outstanding. (http://myhaka.blogspot.com/2008/01/missing-howlett.html)

2.-McAlister has been playing quite well, IMHO.

3.-Cardiff Blues and Ospreys coaches are really fond of the New Zealanders in their sides. (http://www.scrum.com/39_50412.php)

4.-I don't kow much about Hayman at NewCastle

5.- Saracens are impressive since Chris Jack joined, and he was impressive against Biarritz at the Heineken Cup

6.- Aron Mauger seems to have a lot of trouble adjusting to his new role.

7.- I don't know much about Byron Kelleher, either.


I would risk saying that, as expected, the most experienced players (Marshall, Howlett, Jack) are performing better while others need a little bit more time.

 

[Ripper]

He'll mature so much faster when he gets some high risk Heineken Cup rugby under his belt. He'll learn so much more about World Rugby than being cooped up in that little corner of the South Sea with occasional internationals to pique his fancy.
[/b]

Or it could be he really just doesn't give a flying hoot and is only there to collect his paycheck for two years?



Unless you actually believe that the playing well in the HC is better than playing well against the Springboks and Wallabies.

 

[187]

<div class='quotemain'> He'll mature so much faster when he gets some high risk Heineken Cup rugby under his belt. He'll learn so much more about World Rugby than being cooped up in that little corner of the South Sea with occasional internationals to pique his fancy.
[/b]

Or it could be he really just doesn't give a flying hoot and is only there to collect his paycheck for two years?



Unless you actually believe that the playing well in the HC is better than playing well against the Springboks and Wallabies.

[/b][/quote] yeah, what a stupid comment prestwick. you almost deserved to be deducted a rep point for that.

 

[Brodizzle]

I don't kow much about Hayman at NewCastle
[/b]

I am pretty sure he will be crunching it over there....it's Carl 'Killer' Hayman we are talking about here...best player in the damn world!

 

[Steve-o]

I just realised how many SH have actually gone away now.
You hear this guy has gone and that guy has gone, but when they put together in one thread like this...

Oh well, I'm even more excited for the Tri Nations and S14 now! Players in NZ are gonna be playing out their skins to get the AB jersey.

BTW how's Ollie le Roux doing? He had a cracker of a Currie Cup last year.

 

[nam97]

I saw Sale vs 'Quins last weekend and I must say McAlister was below par, although the commentators had been throwing praise on him for some of his previous outings. His ball handling was average and didn't really do heaps around the park.