: Fri Jan 16, 2009 5:39 pm  

Not sure that's actually true as Carney had a number of convictions which scuppered his WP.

Crocker is still waiting but is thought likely to get the WP despite his single conviction for affray.

: Fri Jan 16, 2009 5:40 pm  

mat wrote:

was thinking more in terms of injury cover as opposed to every week.

I'd be extremely disappointed if we were playing Jeffries out of position in the centres if Nero got injured rather than give Crookes a chance.

: Fri Jan 16, 2009 5:43 pm  

Beechwood Bull wrote:

Not sure that's actually true as Carney had a number of convictions which scuppered his WP.

Crocker is still waiting but is thought likely to get the WP despite his single conviction for affray.

It wasn't his work permit it was his visa which wasn't approved. A WP and visa are two entirley different things but you need both to play in the UK.

: Fri Jan 16, 2009 5:46 pm  

redeverready wrote:

Yes he did IMO he's a quality 13 who can play stand off fairly well.

If he signs, I would expect to mainly see him play stand off for us though.. simply due to the fact it is an area where we are weaker. I would agree that 13 probably suits his game better, but he is also a very competent stand off and has played it at both State of Origin and for Australia.

I'm still wary until it is confirmed and he is actually in a Bulls shirt though! I wonder when he applied for a Visa, is it conceivable that a visa was applied for several weeks ago?

: Fri Jan 16, 2009 5:47 pm  

Bully_Boxer wrote:

If he signs, I would expect to mainly see him play stand off for us though.. simply due to the fact it is an area where we are weaker.

Precisely. At the moment we have Jeffries as the only real 6 in the squad. After that you're looking at people who've "played it a bit" to cover for him, in the likes of Menzies, Solomona or Morrison.

As far as Loose Forward goes, you've got loads of players who would consider that their best or favourite position already, in Langley, Morrison, Menzies and probably Burgess.

: Fri Jan 16, 2009 5:50 pm  

Sorry, I was speaking generically and combining the two. The WP is issued by the Home Office and the visa by the British Consulate in Canberra. Still, it was number of convictions and whether any fines, penalties were outstanding that scuppered Carney

: Fri Jan 16, 2009 6:04 pm  

He got a visa to go to USA on holiday and they are allegedly stricter with visa's than the UK

: Fri Jan 16, 2009 7:04 pm  

chpntpsr wrote:

He got a visa to go to USA on holiday and they are allegedly stricter with visa's than the UK

You try getting the paperwork that allows you to work!! (as opposed to spending your money there)

[Bullseye]

: Fri Jan 16, 2009 7:34 pm  

Quite surprised at this news. His off field troubles are well known and it doesn't sit well with the Bulls family image. Of course he's innocent until proven guilty but I hope the club have covered themselves if he's suddenly absent for a while.

He's obviously a good player, for the team's sake I hope his head's in the right place and we get the test player and not someone who'd rather be back in Oz.

It's a bit of a gamble in my view, I hope there are plenty of clauses in the contract should things not work out.

IMO he'll go straight in at stand off.

: Fri Jan 16, 2009 7:38 pm  

Durham Giant wrote:

.


I think the stitches in his girlfriends face make me less inclined to give him benfit of the doubt.


From a playing point of view he is a good player who certainly will improve your team and is a good signing.


I am glad however we did not sign him because i have no time for people like him.

I would expect that you are unlikely to see him for a good few weeks as even in straightforward cases it take as while to get a visa. By then he will be due to go back to OZ.

I cannot help feeling that it is a bit of a PR stunt because after the Carney debacle and the problems Hull are having with Crocker this has to be one of the riskiest signings this season. there has to be some planning around the fact he will not ever even get here.

Easy to be all holier than thou when Immigration wouldn't give Todd Carney a Visa and you didn't have the money left to offer Bird (if the report is to be believed). In fact wasn't Todd Carney one of the players that meant your squad was better than ours? Definately aint now.