: Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:32 pm  

- Neil - wrote:

England international centre replaced by average Aussie journeyman.

I would have expected better from the Rhino's who are probably one of the better clubs at bringing through young british talent.

You mean the england international who's switching codes being replaced by a 23yr old aussie centre who was selected for city v country,is a starter for the 3rd placed NRL club and was offered a 4yr deal to stay.
You worry about yer own club we'll continue to bring through our youngsters and make signings to add to the depth and quality we have.

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 8:04 pm  

Loop wrote:

As we keep being told how sub standard SL is this guy will probably look a world beater over here ........... If he gets a work permit. What's the latest on Eastwood BTW?

I think the last release from the PR machine was that the deadline for the appeal decision was 12th or 13th August so hopefully we'll know if we're ever going to see him in a Rhinos shirt very soon

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 8:09 pm  

- Neil - wrote:

England international centre replaced by average Aussie journeyman.

I would have expected better from the Rhino's who are probably one of the better clubs at bringing through young british talent.

Not the first and probably not the last to come to the end of his long term junior contract, have an incredible sum of money put to him from RU and thought: I'll have some of that.

See Chev Walker for reference.

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 8:13 pm  

HyperbolicRhino wrote:

If I remember rightly, Toopi was outstanding in the 2007 Grand Final - some awesome hits in defence. I always thought he was a lot better than he was given credit for - he had one bad patch, and rather than getting behind the bloke as a true fan should do, the boo boys were all over him like a rash - some people really need to look up the definition of the word "supporter"!

I never booed him once, but as a paying supporter I can be annoyed when a player just doesn't fit the bill!

Don't get me wrong I don't doubt his commitment and attitude (he did always try hard) but he was rubbish. U talk about the "big hits" he put in, but how many tries were leaked in his centre?! He did fill in at loose forward, ansd he had a few good drives there but that really was it!

If Delaney is anything like him, this is a step in the wrong direction. I wud much rather see Shenton or Atkins, or maybe even Ratu on the last couple of outings to anyone that resembles Toopi!

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 9:44 pm  

Jesus christ people.....some are writing Delaney off before he's even played a game for us (he might not even get a visa yet )

I bet most haven't even seem him play?

As some have said he cannot be that bad.He's a regular starter for a team that are 3rd in the NRL.He's been picked for the City versus Country which is basically a reserve/trial match for State of Origin and he's only 23!

The club can do no right.

Sign a 30 plus year old Aussie veteran and he's past it,here for his pension.

Sign 23 year old whose a regular NRL starter and because hardly anyone has heard of him he cannot be upto much.

Lets hope he doesn't read this forum as otherwise he might be tempted to jump in his car and get a couple of speeding tickets

Lets trust the clubs judgement.They've obviously seen something in him that they think will improve the team.

And lastly lets give the kid a warm welcome and a chance to show the doubters wrong (not just 1 or 2 games).

Anyone remember an Aussie by the name of Donald? He hasn't turned out too bad despite loads of negativity after his first few months here.

If you are reading Brett,welcome to Leeds.Lets hope you have a long,enjoyable and succesful stay with the Rhinos and eventually return home with a few winners medals

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 9:55 pm  

Bluey's reaction to the signing.... http://www.therhinos.co.uk/news/7691.php

Bluey's reaction to the signing.... http://www.therhinos.co.uk/news/7691.php

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 10:45 pm  

Sibbs Rhinos wrote: Bluey's reaction to the signing.... http://www.therhinos.co.uk/news/7691.php "specialist right centre" is what Bluey says, and he uses the phrase right centre several times.

Sibbs Rhinos wrote: Bluey's reaction to the signing.... http://www.therhinos.co.uk/news/7691.php "specialist right centre" is what Bluey says, and he uses the phrase right centre several times.

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 11:50 pm  

I'm not really slagging the guy off himself. He's OK. Yes, he plays for a top-eight team in the NRL. Whoopee. Ask any Titans fan who their key players are and the answer will always be the same - Prince, Campbell and Bailey. Delaney wouldn't get mentioned in the same breath.

My issue with signing any overseas player is simply that I think that if we do, either they should be here to be a star player or to help bring on a highly rated junior. In that respect had Leeds signed a 30-year old it would have made more sense to me.

I've said several times on here that in an ideal world someone like Kylie shouldn't be in the Leeds squad. I do accept that you can't play against the likes of Sts with one hand tied behind your back WRT overseas players, but I really see nothing hugely positive about this sort of signing.

TBH it really does speak volumes about the gap in standards in the backs between NRKL and SL - Leeds and Sts have signed two centres neither of whom would get a mention as either current or future stars of the game in Aus and yet the chances are one or both will end up part of a championship-winning side in SL.

Re Toopi - he was a gamble by the club on the basis that he could possibly have recaptured his best form. That included two hat-tricks against Australia, so at his best Toopi was very, very good. He'd been dumped to reserve grade by the Warriors for dropping huge clangers virtually every game, but I still think the club were right to take a punt with him. It never panned out that way, as for some reason any semblence of attacking capability had gone, but that's life.

My attitude is nothing to do with Delaney himself. He's now a Leeds player and I'll back him as a result. But just the whole ethos of the signing leaves me very confused. And I'm sure Ratu and Watkins for example are equally unsure as to where they now fit in for next year.

Slightly OT - how any Wigan fan can come on here and have the nerve to slag Leeds off for signing an overseas player is beyond me. Against Sts they played with FIVE very average overseas backs, plus Gleeson, with only one homegrown back in Tomkins. Now that is depressing for what was once the powerhouse of league in England.

: Tue Aug 04, 2009 12:13 am  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

And I'm sure Ratu and Watkins for example are equally unsure as to where they now fit in for next year.

You'll know this, which centre position does Delaney play at the Titans?

_____________

Delaney is Smith's replacement.

Watkins should be nurtured to replace Senior gradually over the 2010 season, if he continues to mature and improves his concentration.

Ratu has shown himself to be a solid back up at 1st grade level with his limited opportunities. Whether that's enough to earn himself a berth in the squad next season with Coady's arrival is an interesting question.

: Tue Aug 04, 2009 2:16 am  

G1 wrote:

"specialist right centre" is what Bluey says, and he uses the phrase right centre several times.

Well 'Bluey' obviously doesn't watch much NRL or know much about his new signing, Brett Delaney plays number 4, which I believe is classed as a left centre.

I would have preferred us to sign Atkins TBH, I can't believe people are saying 'well he's young and still has a lot learn' as if thats a good thing, it would be a good thing if he was a young british player but not an average Aussie player.