Ryan Hall interview on Roosters Website

[ism22]

Whatever happened to the 5th Bourgearse?

As he said himself, he just never got a good run of games with us. This is despite him scoring a double on debut in an otherwise pathetic game from our entire team. Say what you like, the guy was fit and capable of finding the white line.

My guess is that Burgess just didn't click with the team or the coaches (Johns called him the 'baby giraffe' - I dunno if that's a respectful branding). A bit like Remy Casty (who also bagge a meat pie on debut + did okay), I think a lot of foreign players come from a different world and the NRL's THE standard for rugby league so maybe it's tough for them to go from getting a heap of respect to players bagging their French accent (Friend attacked Remy's English in a big way during an interview and called him a 'strange guy') or calling them a 'baby giraffe'. IMO it's unfortunate that our culture did not enable these guys to feel comfortable and thrive. Joe now plays for Wigan and has scored 34 tries in 35 games. I suspect we'll see him in the NRL again...

As HBK says though, Hall's a different kettle of fish. Listening to the interview he seems to understand our expectations (and that he's probably come here to play for Norths). I mean despite having 38 caps and 36 international tries (a ridiculous stat) he's come in, shadowed Bernard Lewis in training and when asked 'are you here to be a leader?' he's been like 'well I'm here to learn... I'll share the odd opinion but I also know that things are different so I need to respect that'. I suspect Hall's gonna be a bit more patient than Joe Burgess because he's got that sense of maturity about him.

Pure speculation but the Morris brothers have been two of the best defensive backs over the past decade. I reckon if Hall has the staying power to shadow Morris for the season (knowing he'll never play 1st grade this season but for injuries) and the respect to gel with guys like Lewis/Ikuvalu (rather than assuming he's always gonna get picked ahead of them) then IMO he could be pretty darn special in 2020.

PS - anybody know Hall's cultural/ethnic background? He looks like a big@rse mixed European dude (bit of Greek/Italian/Czech or something in there) who will probably toil pretty hard in defence and sit some big boppers on their @rses if they play silly buggers with him. Whereas Joe Burgess had that pure white, private school boy kinda look about him. Maybe just me but my first impression is that Hall's a lot more patient/mature/willing to learn.

[Kelby]

My sense is he wont play much first grade - smells a bit like Joe Burgess to me. Watching his highlight reels, many of his tries would not have been scored in the NRL. Plus coming off an ACL.

I think you will be proven wrong big time.

[ism22]

I just cycled few a few YouTube clips of him. Interesting notes:
- He got scouted aged 18... nothing much happened with his career then suddenly a scout rocked up and he developed from there (he views this as being a bit later than others who were scouted).
- He's naturally good at maths and can do a Rubiks cube in less than 80 seconds. Seems to be a really witty, quick thinker and also quite humble. In all the vids where he's being praised his focus is on staying grounded and working on stuff that needs improvement. FWIW his face/smile/personality remind me of one of the ridiculously intelligent actuaries I work with. He's got a certain presence and charm about him that I like...
- He's coming here because he reckons he's achieved everything he can in England and wants a challenge (not a holiday).
- The ACL injury is his first major injury ever and the Roosters' physios say he's progressing really well. He's laced up and running. I predict he'll return to full training sooner rather than later (and won't be injury prone).
- He's known as a bit of a character within the English squad. One roomie says he goes to bed listening to Poverotti and has his habits but is a really likable character.
- The Roosters chased him. He woulda left earlier but has always committed to long, stable contracts and didn't wanna let down his previous club by breaking one. Again... demonstrates patience, maturity and loyalty.

IMO this guy could be a bit of a surprise package. My reading of him is that he's marture, patient and legitimately committed to pushing the upper limits of performance during his time here.

It's a two year contract now. I'm gonna make two guesses/predictions now:
1. The plan is for him to shadow Morris, learn how he defends and insert Morris' defensive decision making process into his game so that he's ready for 2020. IMO he'll instead do this pretty quickly but have the patience to take it one step further before he becomes a regular 1st grader. He won't score as many tries but he'll become a ruthless, SMART defender, which is something (no offence), Fergo had the body but lacked the brains to ever become.
2. He'll end up playing for 3 or 4 years and cement himself as a regular before retiring with a Roosters premiership (possibly his second with the club).

[QWERTY]

I just cycled few a few YouTube clips of him. Interesting notes:
- He got scouted aged 18... nothing much happened with his career then suddenly a scout rocked up and he developed from there (he views this as being a bit later than others who were scouted).
- He's naturally good at maths and can do a Rubiks cube in less than 80 seconds. Seems to be a really witty, quick thinker and also quite humble. In all the vids where he's being praised his focus is on staying grounded and working on stuff that needs improvement. FWIW his face/smile/personality remind me of one of the ridiculously intelligent actuaries I work with. He's got a certain presence and charm about him that I like...
- He's coming here because he reckons he's achieved everything he can in England and wants a challenge (not a holiday).
- The ACL injury is his first major injury ever and the Roosters' physios say he's progressing really well. He's laced up and running. I predict he'll return to full training sooner rather than later (and won't be injury prone).
- He's known as a bit of a character within the English squad. One roomie says he goes to bed listening to Poverotti and has his habits but is a really likable character.
- The Roosters chased him. He woulda left earlier but has always committed to long, stable contracts and didn't wanna let down his previous club by breaking one. Again... demonstrates patience, maturity and loyalty.

IMO this guy could be a bit of a surprise package. My reading of him is that he's marture, patient and legitimately committed to pushing the upper limits of performance during his time here.

It's a two year contract now. I'm gonna make two guesses/predictions now:
1. The plan is for him to shadow Morris, learn how he defends and insert Morris' defensive decision making process into his game so that he's ready for 2020. IMO he'll instead do this pretty quickly but have the patience to take it one step further before he becomes a regular 1st grader. He won't score as many tries but he'll become a ruthless, SMART defender, which is something (no offence), Fergo had the body but lacked the brains to ever become.
2. He'll end up playing for 3 or 4 years and cement himself as a regular before retiring with a Roosters premiership (possibly his second with the club).

You’ve certainly done your homework on Hall haven’t you?

[Darkone]

Ryan sounds impressive.

We have eight international backs on our books. Doubt there's a team in NRL history that has been so well served.

wow didn't realise how rich,

nevertheless I can't see any of them emulating Fergo's mighty effort

I hope i'm wrong but hell he was the best

[Mickie Lane]

wow didn't realise how rich,

nevertheless I can't see any of them emulating Fergo's mighty effort

I hope i'm wrong but hell he was the best

I have to agree with that.
Fergo was a beast.

[Mickie Lane]

I tell you what the Roosters will be in trouble next year if Mitchell & Manu go down at the same time. Billy Smith is the only other centre in the current 26 man squad. Aubo is a backrower who fills in at centre.

[Intercept]

I tell you what the Roosters will be in trouble next year if Mitchell & Manu go down at the same time. Billy Smith is the only other centre in the current 26 man squad. Aubo is a backrower who fills in at centre.

Not to mention the risk of a nasty head clash Mickie!

[stephenj]

mickie morris is also a centre so i think weve got that option covered?

[The ticket]

I think you will be proven wrong big time.

Maybe but out of all these types of outside backs we’ve brought in to the club in recent years they have all failed.

time will tell

[Kelby]

Maybe but out of all these types of outside backs we’ve brought in to the club in recent years they have all failed.

time will tell

Dude, I'm trying to be POSITIVE!!!

[Woodsta]

Gee he's only been here 5 minutes and gets asked whats the transition been like from UK Superleague to the NRL?