Anyone know if they have increased the size of their physio department this season? It seems like they may need a few more treatment tables, i assume Widdop has a personalised one given how often hes on one.
Anyone know if they have increased the size of their physio department this season? It seems like they may need a few more treatment tables, i assume Widdop has a personalised one given how often hes on one.
I think we’re all wrong about Latu. I’m sure he’s said that he always wanted to play in Super League and his dismal performances at the Titans were therefore merely to allow him to get an early release from his contract.
Widdop wouldn't count on the old-school quota, but according to all the definitions stated by the RFL he does count as Non-Fed (he's even used as a specific example in this article explaining the system, as is Luther Burrell).
I make it 8 non-fed players in their 2020 squad:
1. Gelling
2. Austin
3. Widdop
4. Murdoch-Masila
5. Clark (Jason)
6. Mamo
7. Akauola
8. Burrell
Last edited by Dux; 23rd January 2020 at 16:27.
Would be typical of the RFL to either fudge the rules or circumvent them completely for a few clubs, by definition of the NFT rule Widdop is a NFT player, you had 8 last year including Luther Burrell who was exempt, Goodwin goes and you add Widdop, Gelling and this bloke, something smells off in this.
The article from Dux does say that Burrell isn't counted.
I think there was some dispensation for him last year, though I think that may have been salary. Does Gelling count after spending more than 6 years in the UK. Not sure if the 6 years need to be consecutive? The whole thing with Club trained Fed/Non Fed is a bit of a thick soup.
Right you are - I should have read it to the end! But even if you cross Burrell off, with Latu added to the list they're still at 8.
Regarding your other question about the passport: that is entirely separate from the non-fed rule, which is based entirely on where you learned your trade. So even though Widdop is English he counts as he has been at Australian clubs for his entire professional career.
I can only guess that Wire have managed to weasel an exemption out of the RFL for Widdop, but that's pretty dodgy if so.
There is a bit of a difference though when we find a player that eventually doesn't meet our standards we reject and offload them only to find Wire coming knocking at the door in Savelio, Tasi, Smith for example. We don't sign Warrington rejects, for Scully it was Scully who rejected Warrington and joined a better competitive team. For Paulo my gut feeling is that he will be a much better player this season under our new coach, if not time may well tell and he could be on the warrington shopping list.
A very valid point about our youth set up has been made on here, I’m not the only Wire supporter scratching their head about it. However using the example of Smith to beat us with has no validity. An end of season loan player hardly warrants consideration. Savelio I’m not sure counts as a reject given the circumstances. As for Tasi, squad filler in a salary capped sport, and despite the conspiracy theories on here, we are subject to the Cap like everyone else.
Paulo is an interesting one, almost all your underperforming players improved under Holbrook. Paulo didn’t, why do you think Woolfe will get more out of him?
Something you lot will never do, first James Graham rolled off the production line and became a star in Aus. Then Thompson rolls off and maybe will make himself a star in Aus, another one will come before long. You have Mr Gumshield Hill, the soft arse who can dish it out but not take it, to keep you happy.
On the Back foot looking for the front one.