Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jun 09, 2022 4:12 pm  

Cruncher wrote:

I'd never object to having a look. Many great players have come over from Union.

The only issue these days seems to be that even their lesser men want big money, and in the age of the salary cap is that something we can risk?

That said, did I hear something about a cap dispensation of some sort for ex-Union players?

Faf De Klerk

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jun 09, 2022 5:53 pm  

The Whiffy Kipper wrote:

Faf De Klerk

Talking to someone at work who said he’s signed for a Jap side earning 750k a year

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jun 09, 2022 6:29 pm  

I'd love to see Marcus Smith playing league; he looks a great fit to me. Won't happen, of course.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jun 09, 2022 6:44 pm  

There are definitely some potential gems you could pick up. It would take patience and hard work but I’ve always looked at some big Union flankers or loose forwards and thought they’d make very good props in the modern game. I thought Andy Powell could’ve cracked it had he come earlier and had his professionalism been to the required level. The guy was a walking pi*s pot in his Union days and was never going to be dedicated enough to make the move but his natural size and ability could’ve been perfect.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jun 09, 2022 6:48 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

There are definitely some potential gems you could pick up. It would take patience and hard work but I’ve always looked at some big Union flankers or loose forwards and thought they’d make very good props in the modern game. I thought Andy Powell could’ve cracked it had he come earlier and had his professionalism been to the required level. The guy was a walking pi*s pot in his Union days and was never going to be dedicated enough to make the move but his natural size and ability could’ve been perfect.

Crazy to think Andy Powell started for us in a playoff game in which we beat the 1st place team away from home.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jun 09, 2022 6:59 pm  

NSW wrote:

Crazy to think Andy Powell started for us in a playoff game in which we beat the 1st place team away from home.

Always recall he seemed really popular with the other players but that probably wasn’t a good sign! I always remember the story about him being arrested late one night, for driving a golf buggy from the Wales team hotel, the wrong way down the hard shoulder of the motorway, bladdered, to get a Burger King from the services

That was never going to be the right character to make the move but he had the natural ability to crack it.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jun 09, 2022 7:09 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Always recall he seemed really popular with the other players but that probably wasn’t a good sign! I always remember the story about him being arrested late one night, for driving a golf buggy from the Wales team hotel, the wrong way down the hard shoulder of the motorway, bladdered, to get a Burger King from the services

That was never going to be the right character to make the move but he had the natural ability to crack it.

He was popular with the fans too from memory, I think it was quite refreshing how honest he was with regards to the demands of rugby league and if I’m correct didn't he admit he wasn’t up to it? From memory of a game he played he certainly put effort in but was blowing out of his backside within a few minutes and had to be hooked inside 10 from memory?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jun 09, 2022 9:13 pm  

CobraCraig wrote:

I don’t think either played professional Union and both converted to league early and worked their way up through the Welsh sides. I just think winger aside it’s going to be tough for a Union player to come across and have an impact at Superleague level but I do agree there is no harm looking.

Flower was a Welsh Union international at u17’s 18s and 20s.

These lads that are being released won’t be established first teamers. They will be young lads on the edges of the first team squads.

Flankers have the skill set to make very good props. Saints have had a good few Union flankers in the not too distant past that have been cracking league props.

Andy Powell would have been a great league player had he converted 6 years earlier.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Jun 10, 2022 6:23 am  

jonh wrote:

Flower was a Welsh Union international at u17’s 18s and 20s.

These lads that are being released won’t be established first teamers. They will be young lads on the edges of the first team squads.

Flankers have the skill set to make very good props. Saints have had a good few Union flankers in the not too distant past that have been cracking league props.

Andy Powell would have been a great league player had he converted 6 years earlier.

But how long will it take to turn one into a good league player (if you find the right one)? Is it worth the time and cost?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Jun 10, 2022 9:39 am  

Paul Vaughan and Josh Maguire now rumoured to be joining the old overseas train at Wire