Re: What we currently look like for 2023 : Sun Oct 16, 2022 8:12 pm
vastman wrote:
I think you’ve inadvertently highlighted the problem these days with imports.
He probably is very handy and would do well. However the Newtown Jets are no bush team. He will be on a fair wedge there. I know it’s not full time money but it won’t be bad. Add that to a lower cost of living and a weak pound and the U.K. becomes less tempting.
He won’t come here for peanuts or to fulfil his ambition, he will want big money, far more than he’d ever get in Oz.
It’s not that we couldn’t afford him or tempt him but you have to ask a very honest question.
Is this lower grade Australian worth the same money or more that we payed Arona or even more pertinent what we likely pay Ashurst. Are we going to pay big money for a gem or are we paying big money for mediocrity?
That’s my dilemma and has been in recent years, is this lad really better than what we could find and nurture in the U.K.
I know it was just one game but there was nothing from that Wakeman that suggested to me he was any better than Morgan Smith.
Just how I see it, but I think these days good overseas players are thin pickings if I’m honest. I think we were hugely lucky with Whitebread who’s ambition thankfully matched his obvious physical prowess.
Tricky these days.
He probably is very handy and would do well. However the Newtown Jets are no bush team. He will be on a fair wedge there. I know it’s not full time money but it won’t be bad. Add that to a lower cost of living and a weak pound and the U.K. becomes less tempting.
He won’t come here for peanuts or to fulfil his ambition, he will want big money, far more than he’d ever get in Oz.
It’s not that we couldn’t afford him or tempt him but you have to ask a very honest question.
Is this lower grade Australian worth the same money or more that we payed Arona or even more pertinent what we likely pay Ashurst. Are we going to pay big money for a gem or are we paying big money for mediocrity?
That’s my dilemma and has been in recent years, is this lad really better than what we could find and nurture in the U.K.
I know it was just one game but there was nothing from that Wakeman that suggested to me he was any better than Morgan Smith.
Just how I see it, but I think these days good overseas players are thin pickings if I’m honest. I think we were hugely lucky with Whitebread who’s ambition thankfully matched his obvious physical prowess.
Tricky these days.
I agree with a lot of that and it makes sense but on todays showing he’s been almost equal to a NZ pack so I do think he is probably better than what we can find over here in the uk. It might not hurt to have some conversations though to see if it’s an option.
So far I’ve seen Kalanche and Nakubawaii have good games as props who are certainly worth a look.
Agree about Wakeham. I felt that Smith could probably offer similar to him at this stage. I’m also quietly optimistic about the Smith signing. Looks to have a real good short kicking game which we’ve always lacked.
As for Arona, he was looking good end of 2022. I would be ok with another year if he feels up for it.
