Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Jul 12, 2013 12:56 pm  

DaveO wrote:

And if they will then that is an even bigger problem for SL. I had thought maybe once they had taken the relatively few top class players in SL that would be the end of it until the next Sam turned up but if they are after taking Bailey no one half decent is safe!

With the NRL salary cap going up so much it was always going to be the case IMO. Player's can earn more now even by playing reserve grade over there than they can in SL, live the "Aussie lifestyle" and from the NRL club's POV they've got enough cash to take a chance on signing a couple of British players. I think there will be a lot more young players doing what Matty Russell have done also, particularly while the current academy structure is in place. For every Sam Burgess/Graham/Tomkins that goes there'll be a Flanagan/Moore/Worrincy also.

[DaveO]

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Jul 12, 2013 1:14 pm  

WARRIORCRAIG wrote:

With the NRL salary cap going up so much it was always going to be the case IMO. Player's can earn more now even by playing reserve grade over there than they can in SL, live the "Aussie lifestyle" and from the NRL club's POV they've got enough cash to take a chance on signing a couple of British players. I think there will be a lot more young players doing what Matty Russell have done also, particularly while the current academy structure is in place. For every Sam Burgess/Graham/Tomkins that goes there'll be a Flanagan/Moore/Worrincy also.

But where are their own players? They have the Toyota cup and their own production lines. Why do they need average players from the UK? I am sure some of our average players and young players would take the opportunities offered for the reasons you say but I don't understand why they would be approached in the first place.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Jul 12, 2013 1:43 pm  

Dan Sarginson to Wigan anyone?

[DaveO]

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Jul 12, 2013 1:45 pm  

SFW wrote:

Dan Sarginson to Wigan anyone?

That is old news isn't it?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Jul 12, 2013 1:56 pm  

CBA trawling through this thread to find out to be honest. I'd heard it in the past too but didn't think anything had been done about it until now.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Jul 12, 2013 3:19 pm  

Cruncher wrote:

Suddenly the status of players 'sought by the NRL' is reduced exponentially.

Clearly they'll have anyone.

I actually really rate Bailey. I think he is also perfect for the NRL.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Jul 12, 2013 6:52 pm  

This must be wrong about Bailey. Gary H said they'd be able to fight off any proposed move for any one of their players and no one from Leeds would leave for the NRL. Gary has to be right so all these rumours are plainly wrong.
How's Luke Burgess going on at Leeds these days btw?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Jul 13, 2013 10:32 am  

Melbourne rebels ru had a clean out over the weekend and released kurtley beale, James O'connor and cooper vuna. Beale has all the skills to be a top rl full back but has well publicised discipline problems. Plus beale and O'connor are full internationals and will have no shortage of offers.

The interesting one for me is vuna. A complete beast when he broke into the Newcastle team earlier in his career, but took the quick buck to ru before realising his potential. I reckon he would definitely be worth a punt to replace pat if he fancied a change.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Jul 13, 2013 12:23 pm  

Rugby League News
NZ Warriors announce the signings of Leeds forwards Jordan Baldwinson & Mason Tonks to their NYC side for 2014 and beyond

Good to see Hetherington "Making a stand"

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Jul 13, 2013 12:57 pm  

Heth can say what he likes but if someone says to you as a young man, hey do you fancy a good beach and sport lifestyle, playing in a lower grade competition with less responsibility in which you'll probably improve your game and be on more money?
What you going to say, nah i spoke to Gary and he persuaded me that Yorkshire is the centre of the earth and that McDermott wasn't going to fill the side with a team of second rows.