Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Oct 12, 2020 9:13 pm  

I’m guessing Field will be brought in to replace French.

Looks a very similar player. Played most of his rugby at 1 but can also play 6 however I just can’t see us using him in that role due to the requirements we will hand assuming Hastings is going too.

We need an experienced controlling 6 and that isn’t Field.

I appreciate Smith is a controlling half but he is still learning and if we hope to compete for trophies he needs a bit of quality alongside him.

The obvious one is Benji Marshall but not sure what his status is after his injury in West’s last game.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Oct 13, 2020 1:35 am  

FIOS wrote:

Poor lad not even signed for us yet and already getting bagged lol

I'm not writing him off (and of course, he's not here yet), but he has French's pace, but he looks a bit, well, delicate. Every time I've seen him play, one hard hit, and you;re worried it will break him in half! I remember when he was at the Dragons, their fans were talking about him being the next big thing. But he never broke through there (in a poor side, let's be right), and didn't at Parra either, other than filling because of injury. He might well be a success in SL, but I would have French over him every day of the week.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Oct 13, 2020 8:01 am  

jonh wrote:

I’m guessing Field will be brought in to replace French.

Looks a very similar player. Played most of his rugby at 1 but can also play 6 however I just can’t see us using him in that role due to the requirements we will hand assuming Hastings is going too.

We need an experienced controlling 6 and that isn’t Field.

I appreciate Smith is a controlling half but he is still learning and if we hope to compete for trophies he needs a bit of quality alongside him.

The obvious one is Benji Marshall but not sure what his status is after his injury in West’s last game.

Benji’s injury was an MCL sprain (which dependant on the grade is 8wks) and some cracked ribs. I’d be cautious about signing him but I wouldn’t see a reason not to purely based on a quick google search. I’d hope the club would go far more in depth than I!

Smith could do with an experienced half to lean from which I’m getting the feeling could be Hastings. It’s all gone quiet on that front and we’re not being linked with other halves to replace him. I’m of the opinion now that he will be here in 2021.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Oct 14, 2020 2:18 pm  

Field has apparently confirmed in the aussie press that he has signed according to Wigan Today

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Oct 14, 2020 2:33 pm  

[Gareth] wrote:

Field has apparently confirmed in the aussie press that he has signed according to Wigan Today

Yep all over social media and the Aussie press.

He may not be a superstar but I think he will fit in well. Very much a like for like for French, similar traits, meaning we won’t have to adapt our style of play to accommodate him.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Oct 14, 2020 11:13 pm  

jonh wrote:

Yep all over social media and the Aussie press.

He may not be a superstar but I think he will fit in well. Very much a like for like for French, similar traits, meaning we won’t have to adapt our style of play to accommodate him.

If French goes, you mean?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Oct 15, 2020 5:09 am  

moto748 wrote:

If French goes, you mean?

I think it’s nailed on French will be going and the Field signing pretty much confirms it.

I also find it interesting that a number of NRL clubs are looking at half options with the Bulldogs once strongly linked with Hastings now making a play for Kyle Flannigan.

It looks like the Hastings to union rumour is now maybe more viable than a return to the NRL.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Oct 15, 2020 6:23 am  

French and Hastings are both staying, Field is a replacement for Tommy

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Oct 15, 2020 7:32 am  

The Whiffy Kipper wrote:

French and Hastings are both staying, Field is a replacement for Tommy

Could this be number 5?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Oct 15, 2020 11:55 am  

Well I've just been posting on a social media forum about the Moles post on twitter that French was going home and Hastings to rugby union. I didn't twig at first who the reply came from but a female poster wrote that French was homesick and wanted to go home but the Hastings leaving rumours are nonsense. After a short discussion turns out this poster was Jackson's mum. I'm not sure how more reliable source there can be than the players mum but it certainly looks like he's staying