Re: Landed a new half back? : Wed Dec 16, 2015 4:35 pm  

Lets hope this Jacks turns out to be a shining star - think we're due some luck on our "punts"

Re: Landed a new half back? : Wed Dec 16, 2015 4:45 pm  

Have to say I had to look him up and I still cannot find much footage of him other than playing for Canada in a 9's comp. There is an interview with him about how he's proud to be representing Canada here... http://www.qrl.com.au/news/2015/11/13/world_cup_dreams.html For me the response to the question asked on 30 seconds is a classic.... "My grandad who I get the heritage through isn't alive at the moment"??? Lets hope that changes and he become alive again as it is just "at the moment" apparently!!! Looks like we have a bright spark there!!!

Have to say I had to look him up and I still cannot find much footage of him other than playing for Canada in a 9's comp. There is an interview with him about how he's proud to be representing Canada here... http://www.qrl.com.au/news/2015/11/13/world_cup_dreams.html For me the response to the question asked on 30 seconds is a classic.... "My grandad who I get the heritage through isn't alive at the moment"??? Lets hope that changes and he become alive again as it is just "at the moment" apparently!!! Looks like we have a bright spark there!!!

Re: Landed a new half back? : Wed Dec 16, 2015 8:37 pm  

May just be a good bit of business this by Bradford. He's on trial,so if it doesn't work out we have plenty of time to get the right player in.

Reading some comments about him from those who have seen him play, they think it could be a good signing for us. He's a natural 7 who can fill in at hooker which is what we were crying out for! Not a centre/LF/hooker who can player 7.

From reading his interview he sees his main strengths as his kicking game (which we needed) and his organisation. So sounds promising.does anyone know if he can kick goals too?

He could turn out to be another Siejka/Herbert but difference is we've not given him a 2 year deal.

Looking forward to seeing how he goes. And if it doesn't work out, we have until July to get the right man!

Re: Landed a new half back? : Wed Dec 16, 2015 9:00 pm  

Bull Mania wrote:

May just be a good bit of business this by Bradford. He's on trial,so if it doesn't work out we have plenty of time to get the right player in.

Reading some comments about him from those who have seen him play, they think it could be a good signing for us. He's a natural 7 who can fill in at hooker which is what we were crying out for! Not a centre/LF/hooker who can player 7.

From reading his interview he sees his main strengths as his kicking game (which we needed) and his organisation. So sounds promising.does anyone know if he can kick goals too?

He could turn out to be another Siejka/Herbert but difference is we've not given him a 2 year deal.

Looking forward to seeing how he goes. And if it doesn't work out, we have until July to get the right man!

Couldn't have put it better

Re: Landed a new half back? : Wed Dec 16, 2015 10:54 pm  

We've been looking for a decent 7 since we let O'Brien go back on his deal with us, can't help feel disappointed that we still haven't properly rectified this weakness. I love the optimism but Ferres hasn't exactly impressed with his recruitment of Aussie unknowns so far.

The biggest positive is we haven't handed out another 2 year deal but if he isn't good enough or his visa isn't granted then I fully expect to see Addy back at 7 whilst we hope that a better option becomes available.

Or were we that desperate to sign a scrum half that the fans are just happy that we've signed somebody?

Re: Landed a new half back? : Wed Dec 16, 2015 11:08 pm  

Bully_Boxer wrote:

We've been looking for a decent 7 since we let O'Brien go back on his deal with us, can't help feel disappointed that we still haven't properly rectified this weakness. I love the optimism but Ferres hasn't exactly impressed with his recruitment of Aussie unknowns so far.

The biggest positive is we haven't handed out another 2 year deal but if he isn't good enough or his visa isn't granted then I fully expect to see Addy back at 7 whilst we hope that a better option becomes available.

Or were we that desperate to sign a scrum half that the fans are just happy that we've signed somebody?

Considering we already have Thomas, Addy and Purtell to cover the position. I'm inclined to believe that we're hoping Ferres strikes gold on this one.

Re: Landed a new half back? : Thu Dec 17, 2015 9:49 am  

To me, the good thing about this signing is that I can't imagine Jimmy signing him without talking to Brian Mac as he chose him for the test side. Mac must have given him a decent report on the lad. This gives me some confidence that we have had a good second opinion about him. Can you imagine Mac telling Jimmy to sign him if he thought he was poor?
I think what we need at the moment is a decent organiser not necessarily a world star. I think Deacs was one of our best halves but the kicking helped him make a big name for himself. I thought his general scrum half play was good but not great but that was what we needed as we had Robbie to be the twinkle toes of the team - a little like Gaskell. So if he turns out to be a hard working organiser he might just do a good job for us.

Re: Landed a new half back? : Thu Dec 17, 2015 10:08 am  

woolly07 wrote:

To me, the good thing about this signing is that I can't imagine Jimmy signing him without talking to Brian Mac as he chose him for the test side. Mac must have given him a decent report on the lad. This gives me some confidence that we have had a good second opinion about him. Can you imagine Mac telling Jimmy to sign him if he thought he was poor?

Brian Mac didnt choose him for the test side unless he was picking opposition team too. Brian Mac coached USA, Jacks played for Canada

That said I'd guess we'll have asked BC his opinion of him having seen him play live.

Re: Landed a new half back? : Fri Dec 18, 2015 9:11 am  

Well the Kyle Wood rumour can pretty much go away now. He's been given squad number 15 by Huddersfield, so they clearly think he's going nowhere.


(Admittedly Ferres has been given 11 despite being transfer listed, but the point remains)

Re: Landed a new half back? : Fri Dec 18, 2015 9:26 am  

bullinenemyland wrote:

For me the response to the question asked on 30 seconds is a classic.... "My grandad who I get the heritage through isn't alive at the moment"???

Lets hope that changes and he become alive again as it is just "at the moment" apparently!!!

Looks like we have a bright spark there!!!

Luckily the guy is here to play rugby, not appear on Eggheads.