Re: Saints sign 2 Irish players : Tue Aug 09, 2011 3:46 pm  

Offside Monkey wrote:

This seems really random
Still, if the lads train with the squad through the off season, they'll soon sink or swin at Swinton. I assume they'll be on dual reg, there, so could be called back at any time?

That prop's certainly big enough and reportedly weighs 19 stone. he doesn't look like he's carrying much fat so a full time strrength regeime could knock him up to 20 stone!? That's Baloo territory.

The standoff is a 6ft monster as well looking at him. I'd play him fullback. Even without seeing him play. He looks the part.

Re: Saints sign 2 Irish players : Tue Aug 09, 2011 3:54 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

The standoff is a 6ft monster as well looking at him. I'd play him fullback. Even without seeing him play. He looks the part.

Signing mediocre overseas players to stand in the way of young Paul Wellens? It will never work.

Are they going to enjoy the craic in 'tellins? I'm sure the accent will go down well with the local sl.....ladies.

Re: Saints sign 2 Irish players : Tue Aug 09, 2011 5:11 pm  

Having watched the big prop play on saturday you can tell he is relatively new to the game, in terms of his positioning and seemed at times to be a little unsure whether he was running for the ball or was acting as a dummy runner, but that will come with time. Again his tackling technique was fine, but it will take time getting him used to some of the tactics surrounding defence. From what I have heard the other guy, who played at centre the week before is very useful and has already asked to be moved more infield so to get his hands on the ball more. Both are a work in progress but have the potential to become first team players

Re: Saints sign 2 Irish players : Tue Aug 09, 2011 5:21 pm  

Offside Monkey wrote:

This seems really random
Still, if the lads train with the squad through the off season, they'll soon sink or swin at Swinton. I assume they'll be on dual reg, there, so could be called back at any time?

Thought you could only dual reg if you were under 21?

Re: Saints sign 2 Irish players : Tue Aug 09, 2011 6:31 pm  

I am still being told the idea is to give them experience to take back to Ireland??

Re: Saints sign 2 Irish players : Tue Aug 09, 2011 8:57 pm  

Sorry did someone say 6'7 19st?

No way he signed for Saints, a cross between to Baloo and Crabtree. Blimey!

Re: Saints sign 2 Irish players : Wed Aug 10, 2011 7:13 am  

ashy_06 wrote:

Having watched the big prop play on saturday you can tell he is relatively new to the game, in terms of his positioning and seemed at times to be a little unsure whether he was running for the ball or was acting as a dummy runner, but that will come with time. Again his tackling technique was fine, but it will take time getting him used to some of the tactics surrounding defence. From what I have heard the other guy, who played at centre the week before is very useful and has already asked to be moved more infield so to get his hands on the ball more. Both are a work in progress but have the potential to become first team players

And who have they played for!? When will they play next!?
Everything seems very surreal with this. It quite excites me.
Without seeing the back I won't pass comment, but when your 6'7" and 19 stone, you're certainly on the way to being a half decent prop!

Re: Saints sign 2 Irish players : Wed Aug 10, 2011 10:00 am  

well i suppose next year we cant complain about having no meat in the pack with that gripper

Re: Saints sign 2 Irish players : Wed Aug 10, 2011 10:03 am  

Offside Monkey wrote:

And who have they played for!? When will they play next!?
Everything seems very surreal with this. It quite excites me.
Without seeing the back I won't pass comment, but when your 6'7" and 19 stone, you're certainly on the way to being a half decent prop!

Sounds to me like the back is the Dom Feunati in all this. He apparently lacks pace.

It's the prop we're really after IMO. He's apparently good enough to play Union for Ireland, but hasn't made it because he's unprofessional, lazy and has a poor work ethic.

Just some opinions I picked up on the tinterweb. Anyone who knows the truth feel free to correct as necessary.

Re: Saints sign 2 Irish players : Wed Aug 10, 2011 10:19 am  

"Sounds to me like the back is the Dom Feunati in all this. He apparently lacks pace.

It's the prop we're really after IMO. He's apparently good enough to play Union for Ireland, but hasn't made it because he's unprofessional, lazy and has a poor work ethic.

Just some opinions I picked up on the tinterweb. Anyone who knows the truth feel free to correct as necessary."


From what I've been told both lads could have made it at union but came a bit disillusioned at the lack of first team opportunities, so decided to give rugby league a go. I think if he'd had a poor work ethic played in the back row in union it would have certainly shown up already in training etc