Winterstein - Decision Time : Sun Mar 01, 2009 11:30 am  

According to Winterstein he expects to hear this week whether his visa application is successful.

If he is successful that begs the question - when will he get a game? Given the tremendous performances of Ferguson, Snitch, Hendo, Bibb and Pitts so far this season he is going to be have to be very special to dislodge any of them.

With that wonderful thing caught hindsight would we have been better getting another prop?

: Sun Mar 01, 2009 11:38 am  

i think hes probably got a better chance to get in now then he would have had say a week ago. with so many forward out we need that extra one just to keep them fresh when some of them have been playing near full games.

i do agree that he shouldnt replace them in the starting line up though cos theyve all been playing out of their skins so far this season

: Sun Mar 01, 2009 11:41 am  

If JK feels the need to shoe horn him into the team, I suspect that Snitch may move into the front row leaving Frankenstein to occupy the vacant second row spot.

: Sun Mar 01, 2009 11:45 am  

IMO there are 2 possible scenarios;

1) The HO and RFL look at this case on it's own merits, i.e FW has no previous convictions, a good RL pedigree and a hell of a lot of potential and grant him a visa. Despite turning other "so called" bigger names.

Or

2) The RFL keen to be seen pushing GB players urge the HO to refuse FW, when really the only reason is they fear a backlash from other clubs who have had there signings turned down.

As it's us i have a feeling they will want to make an example.

: Sun Mar 01, 2009 12:18 pm  

Whilst Pitts and Bibb are playing well at the moment i find it hard to see them keeping up the intensity throughout the season. The lads need time to develop and progress and we need to rotate and even rest players to ensure we don't end up with another poor end of season run in

: Sun Mar 01, 2009 12:31 pm  

all of the forwards have been good but to be quite honest i would be dropping bibb because i dnt think he is good enough

: Sun Mar 01, 2009 12:50 pm  

Sandal Wild Cat wrote:

IMO there are 2 possible scenarios;

1) The HO and RFL look at this case on it's own merits, i.e FW has no previous convictions, a good RL pedigree and a hell of a lot of potential and grant him a visa. Despite turning other "so called" bigger names.

Or

2) The RFL keen to be seen pushing GB players urge the HO to refuse FW, when really the only reason is they fear a backlash from other clubs who have had there signings turned down.

As it's us i have a feeling they will want to make an example.

But if he is a Kolpak player of good reputation who has been offered employment in this country then surely the RFL would have no say in the matter and the HO would find it difficult to refuse him entry, and by the sound of it the woman in Canberra who is responsible for the decisions would take exception to someone else trying to tell her how to do her job.

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:05 pm  

Anyone heard anything yet?

Would we have booked his flights? or would we wait till everything is signed sealed and delivered.

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:06 pm  

Not sure mate, but hopefully he will be here sooner rather than later.

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:27 pm  

Sandal Wild Cat wrote:

IMO there are 2 possible scenarios;

1) The HO and RFL look at this case on it's own merits, i.e FW has no previous convictions, a good RL pedigree and a hell of a lot of potential and grant him a visa. Despite turning other "so called" bigger names.

Or

2) The RFL keen to be seen pushing GB players urge the HO to refuse FW, when really the only reason is they fear a backlash from other clubs who have had there signings turned down.

As it's us i have a feeling they will want to make an example.

I don't think the RFL can urge the HO to do anything. If he's legally entitled to come here and earn a living, then that's the matter done and dusted.