Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V3 : Wed Dec 23, 2020 9:18 am  

Same. I’m gutted about it. We’re not much better off if Tetevano replaces Ava. On paper Tet is better but Ava really settled well here so it’s always a gamble. I’m intrigued who the player was we pulled out of the deal was... wonder if it was Paasi..

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V3 : Wed Dec 23, 2020 9:58 am  

I think Saints had their hooks into Passi mid season but waited to announce, as they did with Thompson, till the year was over. Maybe Sharkys tip re Fifita had something to it? Whatever happens I just hope Hurrell to the pack is not the solution. A classic case of "robbing Peter to pay Paul"

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V3 : Wed Dec 23, 2020 11:36 am  

ArthurClues wrote:

I think Saints had their hooks into Passi mid season but waited to announce, as they did with Thompson, till the year was over. Maybe Sharkys tip re Fifita had something to it? Whatever happens I just hope Hurrell to the pack is not the solution. A classic case of "robbing Peter to pay Paul"

Paasi showed huge promise, but in the end was, and is a crock.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V3 : Wed Dec 23, 2020 11:47 am  

Trebor1 wrote:

Same. I’m gutted about it. We’re not much better off if Tetevano replaces Ava. On paper Tet is better but Ava really settled well here so it’s always a gamble. I’m intrigued who the player was we pulled out of the deal was... wonder if it was Paasi..

Agree with this; Tet is the better player compared with Ava overall, but Ava is really solid and consistent in my view. Absolutely could still do a job in NRL, which is where we need to be in terms of players at Leeds (albeit we probably can't afford first grade NRL starters).

Even if we do secure Tet, which looks 50-50, we are going to be no better off in 2021 compared to 2020 if we lose Ava - and that's not accounting for injuries. I we had big Mik injured this year I reckon we would have started to struggle quickly.

We really need +2 real props if Ava leaves.

However the club is 100% right in waiting for the right player. They are out there somewhere, but I'd far rather keep our powder dry so we can snag a JWH down the line, rather than spend up for the sake of it and get trapped into even more long-term contracts with players who ultimately aren't SL title winning material at Leeds - and who may be blocking pathways for youngsters coming through. Got to be the right characters and the right quality - that may take time to find.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V3 : Wed Dec 23, 2020 12:08 pm  

I really hope the Club aren't thinking about moving Hurell into pack it would be bad move for club and player. If were losing Seumanufagai and replacing with Tetevano or a similar overseas prop that's a good move but we are still a prop short but the pack next season can't be Oledzki/ Prior/Holroyd/ New Prop ( if it happens). If Hurrell was moved into pack it'd probably be at Second Row then move Martin to Loose and Prior at Prop but that's a bad move imo.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V3 : Wed Dec 23, 2020 12:17 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

Agree with this; Tet is the better player compared with Ava overall, but Ava is really solid and consistent in my view. Absolutely could still do a job in NRL, which is where we need to be in terms of players at Leeds (albeit we probably can't afford first grade NRL starters).

Even if we do secure Tet, which looks 50-50, we are going to be no better off in 2021 compared to 2020 if we lose Ava - and that's not accounting for injuries. I we had big Mik injured this year I reckon we would have started to struggle quickly.

We really need +2 real props if Ava leaves.

However the club is 100% right in waiting for the right player. They are out there somewhere, but I'd far rather keep our powder dry so we can snag a JWH down the line, rather than spend up for the sake of it and get trapped into even more long-term contracts with players who ultimately aren't SL title winning material at Leeds - and who may be blocking pathways for youngsters coming through. Got to be the right characters and the right quality - that may take time to find.

Agree 100% Jim

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V3 : Wed Dec 23, 2020 2:17 pm  

The RL ITK guy on Twitter thinks Catalan have put more money down for Tetevano. Seems to be indicating we may lose out here

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V3 : Wed Dec 23, 2020 3:31 pm  

Although he's now telling Leeds fans not to panic. How does that work? I must be the Corporal Jones of Rhinos fans.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V3 : Wed Dec 23, 2020 5:50 pm  

Jrrhino wrote:

I really hope the Club aren't thinking about moving Hurell into pack it would be bad move for club and player. If were losing Seumanufagai and replacing with Tetevano or a similar overseas prop that's a good move but we are still a prop short but the pack next season can't be Oledzki/ Prior/Holroyd/ New Prop ( if it happens). If Hurrell was moved into pack it'd probably be at Second Row then move Martin to Loose and Prior at Prop but that's a bad move imo.

I agree, not sure Hurrell could do full game in 2nd row, he could be a useful impact sub but not sure that works for a marquee player.

Bottom line is we need props, I don’t want to see Thompson playing as 4th prop.

We need 2 and have had a full year and not yet signed 1

[Frosties.]

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V3 : Wed Dec 23, 2020 8:15 pm  

Three year deal signed for Tetevano.