Johns-A Good Or Bad Thing?

[Anonymous]

Before I start, I should clarify, I am stoked about the prospect of Johns in the sky blue next season. Potentially he is the edge that the Waratahs need to win the Super 12, however, I think there are some negatives as well, so I thought I'd put up an objective view.

The Pros

Johns would be an excellent union fly-half. He has a fantastic kicking, passing and running game. He takes the ball to the line and would be perfectly suited to running rugby. He's also a fantastic goal-kicker and has a great defenceive game. He could be the greatest fly-half the Waratahs ever had.

The Cons

He's no spring chicken, despite the claims he could be our star for the next world cup, I don't know if he would last that long. Also he hasn't finished a season in three years due to various injuries, so he could be a liability in this aspect. Also Tim Donnelly and Shaun Berne are young players with potential, especially Donnelly, and if he stays fit they would be vitual bench players for several years.

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Provided he stays fit, he would be an excellent aquisition for the NSWRU and the ARU. The question is, will he stay fit?

 

[ledzep]

he will stay fit
you dont get hurt in union

 

[Matt M]

In my opinion the union have rocks in their heads, he is 30 years old, his best days are long gone and that 600,000 dollars would be far better spent on younger players or grassroots level. The NRL won't suffer, we've gone just fine without him this year, neither will Johns. The only loser in my opinion will be the rugby union

 

[SpaceMonkey]

he will stay fit
you dont get hurt in union

Take your head out of your arse. If that's the case why isn't Jonny Wilkinson touring with England? Union backs may have it slightly easier but theres not as much in it as you think. Johns would be a huge risk with his injury record.

 

[Anonymous]

he will stay fit
you dont get hurt in union

Idiot.

 

[bayrep]

The only pro argument I can see in Johns coming across to union would be the media hype he generates. I heard today that this story made the front page of one of your newspapers in Aus. Imagine how much attention this would pull if he did play union.

I think he is past it especially with the injuries he keeps generating. A fully fit Johns would be nice to see how he does go at the top levels of union just to see if he is the best that anyone has seen in both codes that some people claim.

 

[ripper]

He could be the greatest fly-half the Waratahs ever had.

Not that hard :lol:

 

[Auckland4ever]

In my opinion the union have rocks in their heads, he is 30 years old, his best days are long gone and that 600,000 dollars would be far better spent on younger players or grassroots level. The NRL won't suffer, we've gone just fine without him this year, neither will Johns. The only loser in my opinion will be the rugby union

I'd agree with you, except as far as I was aware, his backers were private individuals, not the ARU.

 

[JK]

f**k him - after the crap he has put people through I no longer want him

 

[rugged]

he will stay fit
you dont get hurt in union

What about the Reds run of injuries at Fly Half this year. Wasn't it about 4 or 5 serious injuries?

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Well we can speculate all we like, 'cause he ain't going. Good on him for showing some loyalty, although it would have been interesting to see how he went.

 

[bayrep]

I dont know how far behind the times Radio sport is but they have heard unofficially that Johns has signed a deal with union this morning. This flies in the face with the media releases in Aus. :?

 

[Anonymous]

Oh well, I guess it's for the best in the long run. Tim Donnelly showed real promise at fly-half for the Tahs this year and now he will have a real chance of cementing himself.

Would have been sweet to see how he went.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

I dont know how far behind the times Radio sport is but they have heard unofficially that Johns has signed a deal with union this morning. This flies in the face with the media releases in Aus. :?

Well given that it's on the front page of the Sydney Moring Herald website and is from an official News Source (AAP), my money is on Radio Sport getting it wrong!

 

[bayrep]

I would have been very surprised if he passed up on the deal that league got for him. You cant go past 10 yrs of garrantied income after you have finished your footy career.

 

[Dragons Cross]

I don't know why the Tahs and for that matter the ARU won't look at Donnelly as their 5/8th of the future. Timmy has so much skill, vision and a great step and has lead the mighty Woodies to 3 Premierships in 5 years after we hadn't won it in 50. Admittedly the guys a bit small but he's as strong as an ox.

C'mon Australian Rugby, give Timmy a go!

 

[eastsrule]

So true. Donnelly has been pushed around too much. If they stuck with hmi for the whole season, we would have an improved position possibly and at least he would have the experience for 2005. The Waratahs have a history of shithouse coaches.

 

[Anonymous]

Donnelly's problem is that he's only about 5 ft tall. Hence there's always been the perception he's too small for the Super 12. However, I think in the early rounds of the S12 he proved his worth.

If they stick with him he'll be a gun.

 

[rugged]

If there forwards put on decent performances then Donnelly would be fine.

 

[gaterooze]

I would have been very surprised if he passed up on the deal that league got for him. You cant go past 10 yrs of garrantied income after you have finished your footy career.

That's a bit of a misnomer -- as Vossy said on 2UE yesterday, the only thing Ch9 did was add *one* year onto his *existing* 2-year TV contract.

Remember, Ch9's rights to League are up in a couple of years, so they can't possibly offer a 10 year deal. I think that was misconstrued from an unofficial comment like "stick with us and you'll have a ten year career on TV."

Anyway, it's over now and I just hope he doesn't f*ck up for the Knights next year. I can see us regretting he stayed...