Re: Five New Signings : Sat Sep 24, 2016 7:56 pm  

Hasn't MCB been brought in as a centre? Seems strange if not as we re- signed bjb. If we needed wing cover we have Lynn and Gibson? I'd definitely say one or maybe two backs will be leaving if wears going for quality not quantity. Saying that though the last time we supposodly went down this route we were smashed by injuries and ended in the million pound game.

Re: Five New Signings : Sat Sep 24, 2016 7:58 pm  

Our new strength and conditioning coach https://en.m.wikipedifa.org/wiki/Harvey_Walden_IV

Our new strength and conditioning coach https://en.m.wikipedifa.org/wiki/Harvey_Walden_IV

Re: Five New Signings : Sat Sep 24, 2016 8:26 pm  

Eastern Wildcat wrote:

As erratic as they have been for now I would stick with Arundel and Lyne. They both have their faults but at the same time have goid elements to their play. Like I said before Rome wasnt built in a day. If I was going to clear one off the cap it would be Richie Owen

Losing some of our more average backs could come easier once they are off contract. If we got rid of them now we dont know what were getting and it could leave us light in the backs. Despite how many weve had this year, there were a couple of games where we were light

Id happily now go with what we have in the centres but bring in a quality one for 2018 and just say to Lyne, Arundel, Gibson and Bill Tupou that you are all fighting for one spot and a contract

Maybe Tupou going could clear a lot of space on the cap

I take it you were not at saints last night, when McDonnell strolled in for at least two tries without Lynne being within 10 yards of him.
And you want to stick with him.

Re: Five New Signings : Sat Sep 24, 2016 8:29 pm  

OK I remember Tim smith having a nightmare first year for trinity then later in he was brilliant let's give A tupou a break

Re: Five New Signings : Sat Sep 24, 2016 8:31 pm  

FickleFingerOfFate wrote:

Out of the ones mentioned, only A Tupou is contracted, all the rest have left or are leaving. Anakin won't be on massive money.

Walker is also under contract for next year.

Re: Five New Signings : Sat Sep 24, 2016 8:33 pm  

cosmicat wrote:

OK I remember Tim smith having a nightmare first year for trinity then later in he was brilliant let's give A tupou a break

When Tim Smith came to us, he was a 'gamble', probably on half Tupou's wage and he didn't spend half the game sat on the bench.

Re: Five New Signings : Sat Sep 24, 2016 8:36 pm  

FickleFingerOfFate wrote:

I think Arundel comes in for some unfair stick.
He was playing really well and developing an understanding with Johnstone, before he got injured against Sheffield.
Would rather have Arundel in the centre than B.Tupou.
As for Gibson, can't talk about getting shut, as he was unlucky with his injury and worth persevering with.

Absolutely right

Re: Five New Signings : Sat Sep 24, 2016 8:37 pm  

cosmicat wrote:

OK I remember Tim smith having a nightmare first year for trinity then later in he was brilliant let's give A tupou a break

Smithy's body was not smashed up ! The bloke can hardly walk never mind run, he probably did 25 minutes in total last night.
can we really afford that.

Re: Five New Signings : Sat Sep 24, 2016 8:38 pm  

No unfortunately I wasnt there last night as I was at work. I struggle if we have an away game on Thurs or Fri. Point taken.

My main point was trying to minimise wasted expenditure as it happened all too often in the Glover and Elston era and wouldnt want us to go back to that. I worked for the club around this point and got an idea as to how much money was haemorraged out of the club with these arrangements.

Maybe with Brown and more time working with Gibson Chessie can work out who his best centre options are and if the worst are Lyne and Tupou which I do think they are these are our backup squad members rather than first choice

Re: Five New Signings : Sat Sep 24, 2016 8:47 pm  

I wouldnt say Tim Smith had a poor first season.

He played about 80 games for us and maybe had a total of 20 good games for us at best.

I would say his first good game was Magic Weekend 2012 and last good game Bulls last year in Middle 8s.

I would say he was on half the salary but his body wasnt broken. He was just idle.

My guess and in comparison to others is that Tupou is on around £125k per year