Re: Saints sign Laffranchi? : Wed May 04, 2011 11:31 am  

The Guardian reckon Laffranchi is a replacement for TP but I'll believe that rumour when I see it on the Saints site. Since he holds an Italian passport and so won't be counted on the cap, we still have a fair amount of freedom when it comes to choosing staff, especially if TP IS going.

Re: Saints sign Laffranchi? : Wed May 04, 2011 11:31 am  

Sthelens RLFC wrote:

"We may be losing some players for next season but the fans can rest assured that we will be as strong, or stronger, next season as this"

If Eammon is being serious (we're looking at losing Graham, Pryce, Flannery, Eastmond, Puletua) then the Hayne rumour, or another superstar could be a goer. He can't possibly think that signing Hohaia and Laffranchi, as good as the pair of them are, will put us in a position were we could be stronger next year when we are losing such class players. Either that or Pryce and TP are staying and we have our eye on a powerhouse Aussie prop.

He knows we've got to bring a big name in. Either to replace jammer or not he'll pull something out the bag.

He wants to put bums on seats next year in a new stadium.

We can't moan so far with the two signings we've made and the players we've been linked with.

Re: Saints sign Laffranchi? : Wed May 04, 2011 11:31 am  

Tony Stark wrote: Just in case you missed Saint Chris' post, its now official http://www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/809 - Two year contract It's a great signing in every way. 1)He's an Australian international and SOO player, so he's clearly class 2)He's signed 2 yrs so he wont be past it in his last year 3)He's already said he's going home after his two years to take up a coaching job so there is no doubt over his contract in the future and we can plan future recruitment much easier 4)He's not on the quota downsides?

Tony Stark wrote: Just in case you missed Saint Chris' post, its now official http://www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/809 - Two year contract It's a great signing in every way. 1)He's an Australian international and SOO player, so he's clearly class 2)He's signed 2 yrs so he wont be past it in his last year 3)He's already said he's going home after his two years to take up a coaching job so there is no doubt over his contract in the future and we can plan future recruitment much easier 4)He's not on the quota downsides?

Re: Saints sign Laffranchi? : Wed May 04, 2011 11:32 am  

Saddened! wrote:

Let me guess Wello is off to Warrington and we are replacing him with Hayne?

Hadn't you heard? The whole team is off to Warrington.

Re: Saints sign Laffranchi? : Wed May 04, 2011 11:32 am  

Saint Simon wrote:

downsides?

(a) he's Australian (but we don't have much choice at the mo)
(b) what's his injury record like?

Re: Saints sign Laffranchi? : Wed May 04, 2011 11:33 am  

Saddened! wrote:

What Haynes rumour? Why am always left out of these rumours?

Let me guess Wello is off to Warrington and we are replacing him with Hayne?

It's in the Mirror link at the top of the last page big boy.

Re: Saints sign Laffranchi? : Wed May 04, 2011 11:34 am  

Saddened! wrote:

What Haynes rumour? Why am always left out of these rumours?

Let me guess Wello is off to Warrington and we are replacing him with Hayne?

The daily mirror linked us with hayne, Gibbs and waterhouse

Re: Saints sign Laffranchi? : Wed May 04, 2011 11:34 am  

A two year deal is better than three. But I wouldn't like to bet on how many games he plays.

Top players are such because they push themselves to limits other players aren't comfortable with. Which is the reason so many of the best forwards begin to break down once they hit 30 (think Sculthorpe, Hanley and Bradley Clyde).

Re: Saints sign Laffranchi? : Wed May 04, 2011 11:35 am  

Saint Simon wrote:

It's a great signing in every way.

1)He's an Australian international and SOO player, so he's clearly class
2)He's signed 2 yrs so he wont be past it in his last year
3)He's already said he's going home after his two years to take up a coaching job so there is no doubt over his contract in the future and we can plan future recruitment much easier
4)He's not on the quota

downsides?

Does he enjoy biff? Still waiting to see Perry get riled and if him and the stallion can combine forces to BBTB on Wigan then that would go to no.1 in the list of positives.

Re: Saints sign Laffranchi? : Wed May 04, 2011 11:39 am  

Sthelens RLFC wrote:

Does he enjoy biff? Still waiting to see Perry get riled and if him and the stallion can combine forces to BBTB on Wigan then that would go to no.1 in the list of positives.

he's part Italian, he'll run away at the first sign of a fight