: Mon Aug 03, 2009 9:08 am  

So what happens to Watkins, Ratu and Gibson?

Release a good young British player and sign an average Aussie.

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 9:17 am  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

So what happens to Watkins, Ratu and Gibson?

Release a good young British player and sign an average Aussie.

We aren't Wigan though. Gibson is supposedly off to Cas and lets face it, he's had his chances and it hasnt worked at Leeds. Watkins and Ratu are still young and coming through the ranks. Also throw in the fact Senior hasnt got long left now and may start playing more in the pack next season thus allowing ratu and Watkins to contend for the centre spot. Also isn't Ratu also a winger? Lets also not forget we are losing a great centre in Lee Smith to the raa raas so the youngsters still have a place

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 9:25 am  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

The only logic I can see behind the signing of a lump of lard like Brett Delaney is that Leeds genuinely want/expect Watkins/Ratu whoever to become first choice centres and want someone who can slot in as required due to injuries.. Delaney is solid but that really is about it, and TBH the sort of signing that NO SL side should be making. I really can't understand it if its not something to do with being able to gradually bring say Ratu and Watkins on as first choice centres.

And yes, I've seen him play several times live, and have absolutely nothing positive to say about him otherwise - he's the sort of player you just don't notice.

But I thought everything NRL was special, and way above super league?

They guy was offered a 4 year contract to stay on at the current 3rd best NRL side. Thats a long contract for a nobody.

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 9:29 am  

number 6 wrote: don't know if anyone has seen this, majority of you will probably be relieved judging by the comments on this topic http://www.nzherald.co.nz/league/news/a ... d=10588275 Wrong Brett as has been pointed out earlier but there is an interesting link to another story that says Karmichael Hunt is going over to play Aussie Rules. That will be more of a concern to the NRL, in my view, than defections to RU.

number 6 wrote: don't know if anyone has seen this, majority of you will probably be relieved judging by the comments on this topic http://www.nzherald.co.nz/league/news/a ... d=10588275 Wrong Brett as has been pointed out earlier but there is an interesting link to another story that says Karmichael Hunt is going over to play Aussie Rules. That will be more of a concern to the NRL, in my view, than defections to RU.

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 9:30 am  

well proof will be in the pudding. he might be a bit cack handed in one team but maybe, just maybe someone has seen something in him that might add a little extra dimension to Leeds

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 9:36 am  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

So what happens to Watkins, Ratu and Gibson?

Release a good young British player and sign an average Aussie.

I'm sure we've more than enough good young british players coming through.
The gibson decision isn't a surprise although i personally would of kept him the club have decided by the looks of it he'd be better off with a fresh start elsewhere and good luck to the lad.
How he can be described as an average aussie without even playing here is more than debatable so we'll just wait and see how he goes and settles in.
Watkins and ratu will be looked after and will still compete for a 1st team spot as will the rest of the squad.

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 9:47 am  

I'll reserved final judgement until he plays for Leeds, although the signs are not looking good.

Perhaps one positive is that given the general poor quality of backs in SL (where Senior is still considered one of the top 3 centres), he may still ending up standing out as a good player. George Carmont never set the world on fire in the NRL and was not loved by the Newcastle fans but he nevertheless proved a canny signing by Wigan.

However, I'd prefer us to be doing more to improve the forward pack than signing backs for which we have adequate cover with Watkins, Ratu and Coady. The fact that Eastwood did not materialise this season has been a massive hindrance IMO, especially considering that Leuluai, Burgess, Bailey, JJB, Ablett and Kirke haven't really been on top form. Peacock needs a quality partner in the forwards, and hasn't had one since Ellis left.

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 9:59 am  

Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington confirmed: "He is a player we are interested in."
I take it this means we have not officially signed him yet, but feel the need to slag off a player who has
a. Yet to try his hand in SL or
b. We have not actually signed yet?

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 10:03 am  

If he was bad as people are saying he is why would the champions sign him? We havent even seen him in a rhinos shirt yet!

: Mon Aug 03, 2009 10:13 am  

Also states in the Yorkshire Evening Post that he is a left centre