Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Aug 03, 2023 3:23 pm  

There is a couple of loop holes, not sure 100%, but one is having an EU passport such as Schinder, the other is to do with international appearances, that's how we got Lovodua a visa.

There is also an appearance criteria, not sure how many games that is though.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Aug 03, 2023 3:26 pm  

Chris71 wrote:

Think a player had to have played games in the QLD Cup, NSW Cup to be adjudged a good enough standard if its what I seem to remember I read.

Think it has to he first team, Hola has played plenty of NSW games and still couldn't get a visa.

[Mild Rover]

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Aug 03, 2023 3:43 pm  

Most of Hola’s NRL games were in 2019 and 2020. If Wikipedia is correct - and something is definitely slightly out because the numbers don’t quite tally in different bits of his page, even aside from it saying he plays for Hull KR.

At least Pele looks to have played half a dozen NRL games this year.

Does an EU passport count for anything now? Zenon and Yaha were very limited in how long they could spend on loan with us and, completely different industry admittedly, but a lad where I work is having to quit to go and live in Italy with his Italian wife even though he could do the job remotely.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Aug 03, 2023 4:30 pm  

I've scanned through the visa requirements and it seems like under 25s can get a visa if they've played 25% of games in the NRL in the current season. Unless I've misread it which is entirely possible.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Aug 03, 2023 4:39 pm  

mwindass wrote:

New half signed. SR signing Tuesday (not sure if this will be announced then)

the chap who told me is usually on the money.

No names...... yet

Tuesday 6pm?

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Aug 03, 2023 5:02 pm  

It's like the club are just teasing us, sending out emails are 6pm.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Aug 03, 2023 5:25 pm  

Bagging Flanagan or even Wakeham is typical of this forum, they’re probably average Aussie scrum halves but just like Clifford, who is regarded as an understudy there, would tear it up in Super League. My major concern is that with all the investment in academies and recently, reserves, where are all the English talented half backs. Leeds was a conveyer belt for halves, have up to today 2 Aussie halves. Saints have Cust who appears to have moved to hooker. Can’t be bothered to go through all the other Super League teams but I read a Total RL story last week that Lam, Croft and obviously Clifford were being tracked by NRL. It’s bonkers, understudy Aussie halves come to Super League and after tearing it up here go back and end up being understudies again but they’re on better deals and at home. For the life of me I just cannot understand Clifford’s reasoning, he was offered 3 times his original contract to stay at FC, signs for NQC for 1 year contract as an understudy and will end up back in Super League in 2025.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Aug 03, 2023 5:33 pm  

Armavinit wrote:

Bagging Flanagan or even Wakeham is typical of this forum, they’re probably average Aussie scrum halves but just like Clifford, who is regarded as an understudy there, would tear it up in Super League. My major concern is that with all the investment in academies and recently, reserves, where are all the English talented half backs. Leeds was a conveyer belt for halves, have up to today 2 Aussie halves. Saints have Cust who appears to have moved to hooker. Can’t be bothered to go through all the other Super League teams but I read a Total RL story last week that Lam, Croft and obviously Clifford were being tracked by NRL. It’s bonkers, understudy Aussie halves come to Super League and after tearing it up here go back and end up being understudies again but they’re on better deals and at home. For the life of me I just cannot understand Clifford’s reasoning, he was offered 3 times his original contract to stay at FC, signs for NQC for 1 year contract as an understudy and will end up back in Super League in 2025.

Wouldn't surprise me if he'll be back in SL next year if he doesn't get a look in.

A club who needs a half over here will be willing to pay marquee money.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Aug 03, 2023 5:40 pm  

Armavinit wrote:

Bagging Flanagan or even Wakeham is typical of this forum, they’re probably average Aussie scrum halves but just like Clifford, who is regarded as an understudy there, would tear it up in Super League. My major concern is that with all the investment in academies and recently, reserves, where are all the English talented half backs. Leeds was a conveyer belt for halves, have up to today 2 Aussie halves. Saints have Cust who appears to have moved to hooker. Can’t be bothered to go through all the other Super League teams but I read a Total RL story last week that Lam, Croft and obviously Clifford were being tracked by NRL. It’s bonkers, understudy Aussie halves come to Super League and after tearing it up here go back and end up being understudies again but they’re on better deals and at home. For the life of me I just cannot understand Clifford’s reasoning, he was offered 3 times his original contract to stay at FC, signs for NQC for 1 year contract as an understudy and will end up back in Super League in 2025.

Not all of these reserve grade halfbacks tear up SL. There are plenty of examples the last few years. We have to be careful who we sign as we can't afford to this wrong.

Agree with most, Wakeman would be poor, Flanagan would do well from what I've seen of both.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Aug 03, 2023 5:56 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

Not all of these reserve grade halfbacks tear up SL. There are plenty of examples the last few years. We have to be careful who we sign as we can't afford to this wrong.

Agree with most, Wakeman would be poor, Flanagan would do well from what I've seen of both.

Flanagan is a goal kicker as well with a 78% success rate according to RL Project.