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Platt: Irish not there to make up the numbers
7:40am Monday 13th October 2008
Bulls ace Michael Platt today departed for the World Cup with Ireland insisting: “We’re not going to be whipping boys.”
With games against Samoa – many people’s dark horses given the number of Super League stars in their ranks – and Tonga, they face a difficult task progressing past the first stage in Australia.
Gone are the days when you can drink and play rugby league...We are going to do a professional job
Michael Platt
Ireland have also been hit by a number of key withdrawals from their squad, including seasoned NRL campaigners, Wests Tigers winger Shannon McDonnell and Melbourne Storm prop Brett White.
The Australian duo’s late decision to drop out because of injury angered coach Andy Kelly, who was forced to call up front-rower Brendan Guilfoyle from Irish club Treaty City Titans at short notice.
Many expect the tourists just to enjoy the “craic” Down Under but Bradford full back Platt insist they should expect much more.
“Everyone knows the Irish like a good time and I’m sure we will but only in the right manner,” he said.
“Gone are the days when you can drink and play rugby league.
“We’re not just going to make up the numbers and have a holiday. We are going to do a professional job.
“We’ve got a lot of quality players. I’m pretty sure the starting 13 will be relatively strong and we’ve trained really well over here before flying out.
“We’re going to win both games and get into that next stage. We know it will be tough but that’s the aim.
“We’ve players with Super League experience and others who have played in the NRL so we know we have some quality.”
Platt – joined by former Bulls team-mate Simon Finnigan in Ireland’s plans – had made Great Britain’s train-on squad for the Kiwi Tests last year following an excellent debut season at Odsal.
He had hoped to force his way into Tony Smith’s England plans for Australia but endured a mixed campaign this time around and wasn’t selected.
However, the former Castle-ford man featured with Ireland in 2004 – his grandparents are from Londonderry – playing twice against Wales and Cum-bria, and he was delighted to take up their offer.
“I said all along that all I wanted to do was play in a World Cup,” Platt explained.
“That was my goal. It’s a great honour to be representing Ire-land and a great privilege to be going there with them.”
Ireland open their World Cup campaign against Tonga at Parramatta on October 27 and meet Samoa – with Platt’s Bulls team-mate David Solomona in opposition – at the same venue on November 5.
Your Say YourBradford
Brian, Wibsey says...
9:14am Mon 13 Oct 08
Gumshoe, Queensbury says...
9:42am Mon 13 Oct 08
Brian wrote:Needs to lose something Brian!!
Does - Dave Craven - need to - lose the - key-?
Ralphie, Queensbury says...
10:18am Mon 13 Oct 08
Gumshoe wrote:If Sykes moves to full back that would only leave us with Nero plus anyone else who fancies playing centre for next season. Since Macca does n't appear to like Halley all the much I reckon Platt will be a fixture there next season!
Took up the offer of Ireland as he knew no chance with England!!! Hope he manages to do ok and comes in for start of season with more confidence and more brains (hoping), otherwise I can see Sykes making the position his!!!!!
Gumshoe, Queensbury says...
10:28am Mon 13 Oct 08
Ralphie wrote:True Ralphie but Sykes much better full back than Platt will ever be and it needs to be a solid poistion for us next season.
Gumshoe wrote: Took up the offer of Ireland as he knew no chance with England!!! Hope he manages to do ok and comes in for start of season with more confidence and more brains (hoping), otherwise I can see Sykes making the position his!!!!!If Sykes moves to full back that would only leave us with Nero plus anyone else who fancies playing centre for next season. Since Macca does n't appear to like Halley all the much I reckon Platt will be a fixture there next season!
Macca seems to have a great deal of faith in Platt but needs to get him coached by a former FB and get him to stop making very silly and costly errors!
haitch, Lincolnshire says...
11:13am Mon 13 Oct 08
Why not look at his strong running and eye for the try line, his support play and his enthusiasm instead?? He can still make a very good FB (IMO)
Gumshoe, Queensbury says...
11:17am Mon 13 Oct 08
haitch wrote:I agree Haitch but he needs coaching by a FB with experience, he is very naive at present and his errors have cost us dearly. His offensive play, pace and support play have never been questioned by me but his defencive lapses have been!
It's so easy to pick up on his errors. Why not look at his strong running and eye for the try line, his support play and his enthusiasm instead?? He can still make a very good FB (IMO)
I said some time ago that Macca should get Withers or Spruce back in for a spell to help him and to help make him a better all round FB
haitch, Lincolnshire says...
11:33am Mon 13 Oct 08
Whilst I can see the logic in your point,... we can't afford to bring in specialist players to teach someone how to play. He was brought in as a FB and Macca is the coach. They should be able to sort out how he needs to play, between them.
Gumshoe, Queensbury says...
2:42pm Mon 13 Oct 08
haitch wrote:Fair comment Haitch but it is quite obvious Macca could not teach him this season so how that will change for next year we will have to wait and see.
Hi Gumshoe. His errors cost us dearly on a couple of occasions but he was pretty sound towards the end and does appear to be learning. Whilst I can see the logic in your point,... we can't afford to bring in specialist players to teach someone how to play. He was brought in as a FB and Macca is the coach. They should be able to sort out how he needs to play, between them.
If he cuts out his errors which IMO were on more than a couple of occasions, he will be a good player, suppose experience will help and pretty sure the likes of Morro and Menzies will direct him accordingly should he cost us trys and games next season!
We lost numerous games by one score this year and if that one score comes from a bad error either handling or judgment then we will regret it come end of season. I am not saying the games we lost by one score this year were all his fault by any means.
BBARL6, Bradford says...
2:58pm Mon 13 Oct 08
Gumshoe wrote:Gumshoe, i agree Platt does come up with some basic errors but he isnt alone. The whole team need to lift their game and cut out silly school boy errors next season you cannot just point the finger at Platt. Am sure Macca is working on drills to try and improve the errors that Platt makes.
haitch wrote: Hi Gumshoe. His errors cost us dearly on a couple of occasions but he was pretty sound towards the end and does appear to be learning. Whilst I can see the logic in your point,... we can't afford to bring in specialist players to teach someone how to play. He was brought in as a FB and Macca is the coach. They should be able to sort out how he needs to play, between them.Fair comment Haitch but it is quite obvious Macca could not teach him this season so how that will change for next year we will have to wait and see. If he cuts out his errors which IMO were on more than a couple of occasions, he will be a good player, suppose experience will help and pretty sure the likes of Morro and Menzies will direct him accordingly should he cost us trys and games next season! We lost numerous games by one score this year and if that one score comes from a bad error either handling or judgment then we will regret it come end of season. I am not saying the games we lost by one score this year were all his fault by any means.
Gumshoe, Queensbury says...
5:37pm Mon 13 Oct 08
BBARL6 wrote:Agree entirely BBarl6, the whole team has made far too many simple mistakes this year which have cost us valuable possession and points and we certainly need to stop dropping the ball next season.
Gumshoe wrote:Gumshoe, i agree Platt does come up with some basic errors but he isnt alone. The whole team need to lift their game and cut out silly school boy errors next season you cannot just point the finger at Platt. Am sure Macca is working on drills to try and improve the errors that Platt makes.haitch wrote: Hi Gumshoe. His errors cost us dearly on a couple of occasions but he was pretty sound towards the end and does appear to be learning. Whilst I can see the logic in your point,... we can't afford to bring in specialist players to teach someone how to play. He was brought in as a FB and Macca is the coach. They should be able to sort out how he needs to play, between them.Fair comment Haitch but it is quite obvious Macca could not teach him this season so how that will change for next year we will have to wait and see. If he cuts out his errors which IMO were on more than a couple of occasions, he will be a good player, suppose experience will help and pretty sure the likes of Morro and Menzies will direct him accordingly should he cost us trys and games next season! We lost numerous games by one score this year and if that one score comes from a bad error either handling or judgment then we will regret it come end of season. I am not saying the games we lost by one score this year were all his fault by any means.
The main issues I have with Platt is his shocking decsions on when to offload or throw out a pass when on his own line and also when he is chasing back a kick/grubber he does not pick quick enough, lets the ball roll totally still more or less before picking up, by then players all over him. halley better at this than him.
Suppose its a confidence thing and maybe the world cup will help him?
oddshapedballs, eccleshill says...
6:12pm Mon 13 Oct 08
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Michael Platt says he and his Ireland team-mates are confident of making it through the first group phase
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Gumshoe, Queensbury says...
8:28am Mon 13 Oct 08
Hope he manages to do ok and comes in for start of season with more confidence and more brains (hoping), otherwise I can see Sykes making the position his!!!!!