Has anyone got an opinion on this youngster Russell.
MATTHEW RUSSELL (Titans)
Age: 19
Russell made a two-try debut for hometown club Wigan in 2012 and had a successful loan spell at Hull FC, making eight Super League appearances.
Matthew Russell hails from the north of England but has come to Australia at just 19 in search of his rugby league future.
Stuck behind Test fullback Sam Tomkins at Wigan, Russell has signed a two-year deal with the Titans and has done everything to impress the club since his arrival.
With William Zillman ahead of him, Russell will have to bide his time but he is still eligible for under-20s next year.
You have got to give credit to this young bloke for having a go, it's not every day you see a young man pack his bags and travel across the other side of the world to compete in one of the toughest competitions....good on you Mathew I wish you luck.
Mathew Russell...????
posted on 9/12/12
It seems he was highly rated at Wigan and had a good loan spell at Hull FC. for 6 games.
I wish him the very best at the Titans.
posted on 9/12/12
He was and still is very highly rated in Wigan,very quick,elusive and strong.
He was brilliant in all age groups at Wigan but wanted an extended run in his favourite posistion of fullback,but getting into the team in front of tomkins was a job to far.
Wigan did not want to lose him but his contract was up and he declined a new one and decided to try his hand in Aus.
One slight drawback I could see was that he was no taller than Tomkins which could be a drawback under the high ball in first grade rugby.
posted on 9/12/12
there's a lot of English players plying their trade in the NRL now should make us stronger as an international side, long may it continue rather than lose these players to Union.
posted on 9/12/12
A couple of good points made above....
Theo--- in regards to height at fullback.
The game has changed a hell of a lot over the years with the high ball playing a huge part of a teams attack.
I wonder how the likes of Clive Churchill or Daly Messenger would of went being so short...
Barra speaks of the amount of English lads that are applying their trade in OZ.
Apparently the numbers are huge, but mainly no-names, which is a good thing I believe because the old saying of (you can't teach old dog's new tricks) comes to mind.
When these lads return to England they will be taking back part of the NRL with them....I'm not suggesting it's better, but different, and this could be the make or break of getting into the S/League comp alongside the best of them.
posted on 9/12/12
Just to add to English lads playing in OZ.....Take Winthrop for an example, he came through the junior ranks.
Winthrop was always a good player, after playing alongside Cronk, Slater and Co. he has developed into a very smart player, he knows when to kick and when to swing it wide in the No.6....I actually prefer to see him play at No.1 but with Billy Slater in front of him, No.6 it is.