Rugby League News: Wigan Warriors and St Helens Praised as ‘NRL Standard’ by London Broncos Boss
London Broncos head coach Mike Eccles has paid a classy compliment to both Wigan Warriors and St Helens, describing the two clubs as being of ‘NRL standard‘ following the Broncos’ recent defeats to the powerhouse teams.
Eccles’ side, who have managed just one win since their promotion, were comprehensively beaten 36-0 by Wigan at The Brick Community Stadium, with the hosts scoring six unanswered tries. Last weekend, the Broncos were thumped 52-6 at home by St Helens, with their only points coming late in the game.
In his assessment, Eccles acknowledged the gulf in class between his squad and the league’s leading sides, stating that facing Wigan and St Helens is like a “David vs. Goliath” situation. The London boss praised the phenomenal talent, depth and all-round quality of the two teams, which he believes are on par with NRL standards.
Eccles highlighted St Helens’ impressive victories over NRL clubs St George Illawarra Dragons and Penrith Panthers last year, as well as their World Club Challenge triumph, as evidence of their elite-level credentials. Similarly, the London coach considers Wigan to be “probably the biggest club in rugby really“, making the challenges faced by the Broncos all the more daunting.
Despite the lopsided results, Eccles expressed pride in his team’s efforts, particularly the performance of Australian player Jarred Bassett, who had been rewiring a loft in London just a day before the Wigan match and still managed to be one of the Broncos’ best players on the night.
The London Broncos’ transition to the hybrid model, with some players on full-time contracts and others remaining part-time, has been a significant challenge. Eccles acknowledged that the gulf between his side and the top clubs has likely grown wider since the Broncos’ previous Super League stint in 2019, when they were already a fully professional outfit.
As the Broncos continue to face the daunting task of competing against the league’s elite, Eccles remains proud of his team’s commitment and determination, even in the face of such formidable opposition.
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