Julien Rinaldi .. lifter of spirits? : Sun Jun 07, 2009 6:35 pm  

Great game today, quicker, smarter and more disciplined than Newton I thought.

But for me it was the way he not only lifted the crowd with his play but his constant cajoling in true arm waiving gallic style seemed to lift the other players as well.

His try was classic Lowes!

Vive la France ... mange tout!

Re: Julien Rinaldi .. lifter of spirits? : Sun Jun 07, 2009 6:37 pm  

gazzab wrote:

Great game today, quicker, smarter and more disciplined than Newton I thought.

But for me it was the way he not only lifted the crowd with his play but his constant cajoling in true arm waiving gallic style seemed to lift the other players as well.

His try was classic Lowes!

Vive la France ... mange tout!

I thought that from his first game at Saints. He seemed to be everywhere urging the players on. A great lift for the team.

Tres bien je pense!

Re: Julien Rinaldi .. lifter of spirits? : Sun Jun 07, 2009 6:44 pm  

debaser wrote:

I thought that from his first game at Saints. He seemed to be everywhere urging the players on. A great lift for the team.

Tres bien je pense!

Oui, d'accord - encore tu as raison, mon ami!

The crowd reaction when he left the field said it all. I thought he had a great game. His try...looked to me he was deliberately trying to look hesitant and unsure what to do...before he charged over. If so, brilliant. He had several attempts at going himself...reminded me of Jimmy. I would really like to hang on to him - he gave us a lot more speed and options from dummy half too.

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 8:16 pm  

Gotta hold on to this guy for the rest of the season even when Godwin comes back. Great cover in multiple positions and IMO inproving all the time.

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 8:21 pm  

Get him signed on for a couple of years, godwin has work to do now to get back in the side

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 8:40 pm  

Agree with all of the above, very very good today and got a deserved regonition from the crowd. His deception, for the try, looking along the line and looking unsure was planned Im sure as he went so quick from the tap it was a planned dive and was a very well taken try. (also funny as the loudmouth opinion behind me on the terrace had just a moment before said "he never bl@@dy passes that lad, rubbish...oops )

We need to keep him for the rest of the season at least - before someone else offers him a deal, by the way when does his short term deal end anyway? He could then give us another option at 7 as well maybe once Godwin is back to help out competition for 9.

An excellent midseason aquisition by McNamara it has to be said.

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 8:51 pm  

The problem is we are contracted to paying Godwin.

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 8:53 pm  

Duckman wrote:

by the way when does his short term deal end anyway?

End of this month I believe.

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 9:05 pm  

DILLIGAF wrote:

End of this month I believe.

Yes, I think so. I've been very conservative over whether retaining Rinaldi would be a good idea, but I think certainly till the end of the season he should get an extension and then look where we are. I've got to say though, I'd be keen on Newton/Rinaldi as Hookers rather than Newton/Godwin or Rinaldi/Godwin. I'm justt hinking though, Rinaldi may be more value for money than Newton.

: Sun Jun 07, 2009 9:29 pm  

DILLIGAF wrote:

End of this month I believe.

cheers, I think we need to extend it to the end of the season...

Cibaman wrote:

The problem is we are contracted to paying Godwin.

I dont see that as a problem, for the rest of this season pay both. Rinaldi can play in the halfs where we currently have an out of sorts 7 and an occationally brilliant but occationaly absent 6 and no cover. He would act as cover for 6, 7, and 9 and provide competition for places which we otherwise dont have. And we have room under this seasons cap, so use it for Rinaldi until the end of the season and review the situation then as I doubt we'll be using the cap space for anybody else this season now.

Seems like a no brainer to me.