: Tue Jul 14, 2009 10:29 am  

Ashmeister wrote:

How does that article sound as if we aint signing anyone else ?

“The salary cap means that we cannot keep everyone that we wish. We will have an abundance of second rowers next year with the emergence of new young talent within the club, along with the signing of 22-year-old New Zealand international Sia Soliola, who will play back row/centre."

That paragraph does imply we won't be signing a direct replacement for him, although mentioning the salary cap makes me think there must be another signing in the offing otherwise with the players leaving - and us being under the cap this season according to the club - surely the cap wouldn't be a big issue.

: Tue Jul 14, 2009 10:42 am  

saints35 bulls0 wrote:

on what basis?

That he USED to be great and a big hitter...

I guess if fully fit and played back to back rugby for a year, even yawnion variant, he could well get back to what he did best, break people in half, burst through the gap and score or put in the try scoring pass, scare the livign sugar out of the opposing tem etc etc... the elast we can do is get in the papers and look like we tried to buy him, its newspaper worthy and gets us in the press and makes sure nobody forgets about the redvee machine

: Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:00 am  

Ashmeister wrote:

How does that article sound as if we aint signing anyone else ?

Does suggest that Wheels will get an extended run at Centre with Soliola plugging the second row gap. We have still to see the best of Dixon and Ashurst also.

IMO the key are we need to strengthen is prop. We are have no depth there at the moment.

: Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:11 am  

Carlos Alberto wrote:

He is 31. He went to school with a good mate of mine. She made him cry pinching his bum.

Has she given it back yet?

: Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:18 am  

saints35 bulls0 wrote:

on what basis?

He be your top earner and then some.

Does anybody really think he went to France for the challenge of RU? If it was all about the game, he would be playing for a Super 14 Club in Aus or NZ. The fact Toulon were offering a a deal rumoured to be in the region of $600k per year makes me think that may have influnced his decision.

: Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:24 am  

Big lost IMO.
and i, am very annoyed at his...very good player and one of my Fav's

: Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:29 am  

Ski wrote:

Interesting to note we didn't offer Lee a contract at all.

Plans must be a foot...

He was offered one year but wanted two.

Similar story to Longy I guess...

: Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:44 am  

rammsteinbloke wrote:

He was offered one year but wanted two.

Similar story to Longy I guess...

Neither were offered formal contracts. They were talked about but nothing concrete was ever put into writing.

: Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:45 am  

Well I for one want a MUCH cheaper season ticket for next season, given as though we'll be watching what will look more like a Lad & Dads charity event than an experienced squad.

Perhaps we are struggling with the new cap/HMRC regulations. If we are (And we're bound to be) one of those clubs supposedly being hounded for millions by HMRC, perhaps we've had to cut back our spending and this has resulted in a lack of cap room for anymore than 15 or so senior players.

I still think we're putting too much money into too few pockets. I think we're in dire need, not only of a top quality prop forward, but of three or four average Super League bodies, players like Hargreaves, Bennett or Cruikshank. Players who will not cost too much but who can be relied on to put in a strong stint when required but then not cry when dropped.

Another season another big drop in squad strength and depth coming.

: Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:48 am  

I'm sad that Gilly is going, you can always count on him to defend well and get good yards forward. Very good signing for Huddersfield.

Considering we have got so much room on the SC, it makes you wonder who we will sign