Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Sep 24, 2023 11:26 am  

Luke Thompson has a 4 year deal on the table from Wigan and is seriously considering taking it according to Matthew Shaw just now.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Sep 24, 2023 11:33 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

Luke Thompson has a 4 year deal on the table from Wigan and is seriously considering taking it according to Matthew Shaw just now.

Luke Thompson is a great player, one of the best couple of props in Superleague when he was here and he’s gone well in the NRL when he’s been on the pitch but I feel this is a massive risk that when looking at our current squad we don’t need to make, our props already look pretty strong and should only improve, maybe you could say we are well set to cope with his almost certain absences but I think we would have been better going for a good Ozzie second rower (although that’s obviously gone with Mago and Isa extending and this possibly explains why).
I have also seen Shaw has said Thornley is joining Wakey along with Matautia.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Sep 24, 2023 11:34 am  

We've gone from having 2.5 props to now about 15 of them. Unless there's an unexpected departure coming then our squad balance is going to be a bit odd next year.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Sep 24, 2023 11:36 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

Luke Thompson has a 4 year deal on the table from Wigan and is seriously considering taking it according to Matthew Shaw just now.

Controversial opinion, but assuming he'd be on a big big wage, he's not an automatic starter. Prop - he certainly doesn't get in in front of Ellis and Havard. Likewise, he's not in ahead of Smithies at 13. Dupree, Byrne, Cooper probably all offer more value Vs the cap too.

I'd rather have Elliot Whitehead for 12 months.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Sep 24, 2023 11:38 am  

It's a no from me. Have we not learned from George Burgess?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Sep 24, 2023 11:52 am  

Someone commentated it’s a done deal. Is Smithies off to the NRL at the end of the year?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Sep 24, 2023 12:07 pm  

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/reports- ... ors-82507/

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/reports- ... ors-82507/

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Sep 24, 2023 12:29 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

Controversial opinion, but assuming he'd be on a big big wage, he's not an automatic starter. Prop - he certainly doesn't get in in front of Ellis and Havard. Likewise, he's not in ahead of Smithies at 13. Dupree, Byrne, Cooper probably all offer more value Vs the cap too.

I'd rather have Elliot Whitehead for 12 months.

Totally agree with this.
Whitehead for a 1 or 2 year contract would be perfect for me.
Still a decent player and will add some more experience to the squad.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Sep 24, 2023 12:32 pm  

CobraCraig wrote:

Luke Thompson is a great player, one of the best couple of props in Superleague when he was here and he’s gone well in the NRL when he’s been on the pitch but I feel this is a massive risk that when looking at our current squad we don’t need to make, our props already look pretty strong and should only improve, maybe you could say we are well set to cope with his almost certain absences but I think we would have been better going for a good Ozzie second rower (although that’s obviously gone with Mago and Isa extending and this possibly explains why).
I have also seen Shaw has said Thornley is joining Wakey along with Matautia.

I agree with all of that. You can’t help wonder if somebody is unexpectedly leaving (Smithies maybe) because there are lots of middle forward options if he does come in.

I wouldn’t mind seeing a meltdown about cap spend if him and Owen Farrell came in, I’ve got to be honest

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Sep 24, 2023 12:32 pm  

WWste wrote:

Someone commentated it’s a done deal. Is Smithies off to the NRL at the end of the year?

Yeah, It kind of makes sense now with Isa and Mago surprisingly extending deals. Long term if Smithies goes to the NRL which most think he will Thompson can play at 13.
If this was 2 years ago I would have been over the moon but I also think even if he is injured and we maybe have to give him the SOL treatment we can cope fine without him.