That is the problem, no obvious candidates who are "One of the teenagers". Foster and Wingfield are the only junior backrowers in the squad and neither have any games under there belts or race reviews.
Outside of the existing starters in the back row. There is Bentley, if he re-signs, is soon going to be a starter.
Ashworth you can argue is more a backrower than a prop, but we are reaching there.
Batchelor doesn't look up to it, so that is kinda it.
I could agree with you but then we would both be wrong.
Here's the official NRL websites story https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/06/15/...elens-in-2021/ Have always rated him myself ( I do watch a lot of NRL) - as usual it will all depend on how Saints use him, a similar player is Jackson at the Bulldogs - they both do a great job for their clubs but arent "back page stars"
It's not just the work that Taia does, it's his ability to offload the ball and he knows where the try line is too. Can Joel Thompson offer this? I'm not sure. He isn't Viliame Kikau and of course not a player that could be enticed over here at this stage in his career, but signing Thompson is another one of those which could go either way and Saints recent history at bringing players of this type over from the NRL, has been questionable and some haven't performed as expected- Joseph Paulo & Luke Douglas before him. Both well respected players in the NRL who came over here at the latter stages of their careers. Taia & Naiqama on the other hand, had both played over here before and done well (Taia was brilliant at Catalan especially) and so were almost certain to be good signings.
For these reasons, I'd be interested to know if Saints inquired about Josh Jones's availability? Given the rumour that he is looking to leave Hull FC. He can offload the ball, scores tries and is a proven SL performer. Signing from within SL might cost a transfer fee yes, but weakens the opposition, leaving them to look elsewhere and take a chance on a signing from the NRL.
Regards,
STEVO
Thankfully some of us are of an age to remember Sydney. Also those of us who still frequent Wilfs for your haircut, they are calling it a day.
I remember Wilfs. Keith has just retired I read somewhere. On the corner of oxford street and cooper street in my day. Good chippy on cooper street too at the time
Just stumbled across an article on Joel Thompson which mentioned he has won Players Player of the Year at Manly in 2018 and 2019. He also captained the NRL indigenous side last year. We are signing someone very highly thought of over there it seems.
Last edited by The Yellow Giraffe; 16th June 2020 at 11:21.
NEVER WRITE OFF THE SAINTS
Interview with him here discussing his departure:
https://www.seaeagles.com.au/news/20...and-my-family/
NEVER WRITE OFF THE SAINTS
Neither had Gidley, Fairleigh, Cayless, Britt,etc. who were all excellent for us. The truth is signing 30+ Aussies can be hit and miss and until he’s here nobody knows how it’s going to pan out. But from what I’ve seen of him and the more I read about him, the more confident I am that he’ll be a good signing for us.
NEVER WRITE OFF THE SAINTS
Well he did play for Fiji in the World Cup, but I'd confused him with his brother at London
That's what I'm getting at (and not just the one's in their 30's). If a player such as Jones was available, he would've been the one I'd have gone for, for the reasons I've outlined. Of course we don't know what the finances involved in any deal was though.
Regards,
STEVO
Last edited by Mike Stephenson; 16th June 2020 at 14:49.
Jones saying he wants out of Hull and Jones actually being available are two different things. Hull could very well decide they want him and not let him go,they could ask for a transfer fee. Also he has said in the press he is happy to stay at Hull and the rumours have come from left field and sources indicate the player was just as surprised to see the reports linking him away. We have signed a player that is actually available and talk of Jones is all if,maybe and possibly.