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Channel 9 keen to poach union talent

SpaceMonkey

Immortal
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Some interesting comments from Channel Nine boss David Gyngell here http://rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/27/1088274623380.htmlstating that Nine are keen to help the NRL poach some top union talent in the wake union's attempts to steal Johns and Anasta. Especially interesting that he names All Black players as the most likely targets, how goos would Jerry Collins look in a Warriors jersey? :twisted: (and god knows we'll be shopping for some decent forwards)
 

Pigskin

Juniors
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1,689
that Clyde Rathbone would look pretty nice in a Broncos jersey :lol:

Tate on one side and Rathbone on the other - they could be twins :lol: :lol:

sorry Tatie - your uglier tho

Oink !
 

brenno

Juniors
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joe rokococo would look alright flying down the wing for the raiders, would bring back memories of noa.
 

SpaceMonkey

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Pigskin said:
that Clyde Rathbone would look pretty nice in a Broncos jersey :lol:

Tate on one side and Rathbone on the other - they could be twins :lol: :lol:

sorry Tatie - your uglier tho

Oink !
Rathbone would look good, however bein South African I have my doubts as to how much league would feature in his thinking.
Sam Tuitupou from Auckland would be another good possibility, he's a hard, straight runner, monster tacker for his size (he absolutely smashed Brad Thorn who outweighs him by about 25kg in an S12 match a while back) and doesn't have too many prospects of being the first choice for the ABs because they need Carter there for his kicking, so might be keener to switch.
 

Pigskin

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Matt Giteau would be a nice target for league

he would convert pretty easily, has pedigree in league, is young, and it would cheese the rah rah boys off no end

its not a bad idea though .... make the ARU pay overs to retain their players and perhaps they'll leave ours alone

Oink !
 

SpaceMonkey

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BigT said:
just one player









GEORGE GREGAN :lol: :lol: :lol:
Actually the return on investment would be about the same as poaching Johns would've given union as he'd probably get injured and retire after a couple of games! (although I rate Johns far higher as a player)
 

eelandia

Juniors
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854
brenno said:
joe rokococo would look alright flying down the wing for the raiders, would bring back memories of noa.

Even better watching left wingers from the other 14 sides flying down right passed him in return.
 

SpaceMonkey

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eelandia said:
brenno said:
joe rokococo would look alright flying down the wing for the raiders, would bring back memories of noa.

Even better watching left wingers from the other 14 sides flying down right passed him in return.
What makes you think that would happen?


DvdHntr said:
Forwards would be a waste as they don't know how to run onto the ball. All they do is start flat footed.
Have you ever seen Collins play for the ABs or Hurricanes? He runs onto the ball harder than most league forwards, and he hits harder in defence than pretty much anyone.

Some league fans have so many preconcieved ideas about union players (none of the forwards can run, none of the backs can tackle etc etc) but they really have no idea. Far more union players could switch successfully than you think.
 

legend

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Most backs could switch but the union backs are far slower than league backs for some reason. Look at Wendell. He is fat and very slow compared to his league days. Tuqiri and Rathbone are the only two with a bit of toe. The rest move like a volvo with one of those religious fish stickers on the bumper.

League should target the junior union ranks as they are more likely to play for the Wallabies coming from league anyway. :lol:
 

SpaceMonkey

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legend said:
Most backs could switch but the union backs are far slower than league backs for some reason. Look at Wendell. He is fat and very slow compared to his league days. Tuqiri and Rathbone are the only two with a bit of toe. The rest move like a volvo with one of those religious fish stickers on the bumper.

League should target the junior union ranks as they are more likely to play for the Wallabies coming from league anyway. :lol:
Depends who you're talking about Legend, the NZ union backline would have just about anyone in eithercode for pace, certainly light years ahead of their league counterparts. But I agree the Wallabies tend to have gone for bulk a bit lately.
Agree about poaching the younger guys, the ones to go for would be the guys who are on the fringe of international selection but who are possibly being kept out of the run-on sides by established players. Manly did that with Matthew Ridge years ago and he was a great success (ironically the guy who kept him out of the AB side, John Gallagher, also switched later on and failed at League). Giteau and Tuitupou would be a couple of obvious choices in that regard, Collins too as he has currently been shaded by Gibbes in the ABs.
 

legend

Coach
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15,150
Spacie, mate, get the blinkers off champ. Who in the all blacks would be faster than guys like Scott Donald, Phil Graham, Brett Stewart, Billy Slater and co?

Most if not all union backs are far bulkier than their league counterparts, who are buit for speed, not size.
 

The Colonel

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41,810
Didn't Arthur Little and Willie Gordon switch for the Seven's in hope of being picked up by a League side?

I'd chase some of the fringe players coming through the Super 12 ranks - Cameron Shepherd has a few ahead of him at the Tahs and played brilliantly in his few matches.
 

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