Realistic Jesse Royal accepts his fate: Prop looks at employment outside NRL

[Pumba]

Realistic Jesse Royal accepts his fate: Prop looks at employment outside NRL
BY ROBERT DILLON

KNIGHTS prop Jesse Royal has accepted that his days in the NRL appear numbered and is already exploring the option of finding a regular job.

Royal, who has played 26 first-grade games for Newcastle since making his debut midway through last year, is off contract at season's end and said yesterday that he had no firm offers for 2009.

Despite speculation that the Warriors, Cowboys and Storm had shown interest in his services, the 28-year-old said realistically his chances of continuing in the NRL were "not looking too good".

The New Zealand-born workhorse also played down the prospect of linking with an English Super League club, saying his wife had a good job in Newcastle and his young family was settled.

The former New Zealand Army cook, who was a late starter in professional rugby league, attended a seminar conducted recently by Newcastle's major sponsor, Coal & Allied, and was hopeful that might open up employment opportunities.

"If I could get a job in the mines I'd be fairly happy, and I'd look at playing in the local comp just to keep my fitness up and keep in shape," Royal said yesterday.

"It's probably more about security and lifestyle, I guess, and just looking after my family."

Royal said he would have no complaints should his top-level career end in just a few weeks.

"I'm just trying to enjoy the last three games, and whatever happens after that, happens," he said.

"I'm not too worried. Most blokes don't get to play 10 NRL games and I've played 20-odd, so I'm pretty happy with what I've achieved.

"I started fairly late. It probably doesn't help my cause being 28, I guess."

Another Knights forward off contract, rugged Mark Taufua, hopes to enhance his claims with a strong showing against the North Queensland Cowboys at EnergyAustralia Stadium tomorrow night.

Taufua has been named as Newcastle's 18th man but is a chance to play because Cory Paterson (rib cartilage) is in doubt. The former rugby union convert has attracted interest from the Cowboys and is expected to meet with North Queensland officials after the game.

Link

If we lose Mark Taufua the club better have a EXCELLENT plan!

 

[Jono078]

Why would the Cowboys want him? They've signed a few forwards for next year I think.

The latest one being Antonio Kaufusi which happened today I think.

 

[Adsy]

Looks like Royal would except just about any offer.

We will be a prop short at some stage next year and letting Sargent, White & Royal go in the one year is going to come back to bite us.

 

[Johns Magic]

Cross,
Faas,
Tolar,
Wicks.

Are there any other established props I'm forgetting?

 

[Jono078]

I think Simpson will go full time front rower with our depth in the second row/lock.

But yeh the depth is looking very weak if we don't retain Taufua and already losing Royal and White, who have arguably been our top front rowers.

 

[Adsy]

Cross,
Faas,
Tolar,
Wicks.

Are there any other established props I'm forgetting?

Nope.

So basically one injury and we are up the creek.

 

[Johns Magic]

I'm sure Smith has a plan.

I just can't tell what it is yet.

 

[Adsy]

I'm sure Smith has a plan.

I just can't tell what it is yet.

Gidley to prop. :sarcasm:

 

[Pumba]

Why would the Cowboys want him?

Exactly

Clint Amos - Hooker
Mitchell Achurch - Second Row
Antonio Kaufusi - Prop
James Tamou - Prop
Steve Rapira - Prop
Manase Manuokafoa - Prop/Second Row

http://www.leagueunlimited.com/movement/cowboys.php

 

[aqua_duck]

I think we've sign Lorenzo Ma'afu from the dogs who's a prop/2nd row type

 

[Serc]

Poor Jesse...did just about everything right this season, sure he's no Steve Price but being the best prop all year in a team that makes the 4th most metres per game in the NRL is no mean feat. Good luck in the future

I definitely think letting all these players go will bite us in the arse, imagine being short on props at this time of year in 2009? The knives will certainly be out for Smithy if his plan (whatever it is) doesn't work out.

Edit: Whoops 4th, not 3rd

 

[macavity]

what a joke.

 

[Karmawave]

I think it clearly shows that Jesse Royal is not as good a forward as we might think he is.

Maybe we're all geniuses, but 16 NRL team recruitment teams surely can't be wrong?

No one wants him, and frankly, I can see why when you remove alot of the feel-good effort from his game.

Hopefully they don't get their hands on last weeks game when Campese strolled past Royal like they were on a Sunday afternoon walk in what was one of the worst efforts I've seen defensively all year.

 

[macavity]

I think it clearly shows that Jesse Royal is not as good a forward as we might think he is.

Maybe we're all geniuses, but 16 NRL team recruitment teams surely can't be wrong?

No one wants him, and frankly, I can see why when you remove alot of the feel-good effort from his game.

Hopefully they don't get their hands on last weeks game when Campese strolled past Royal like they were on a Sunday afternoon walk in what was one of the worst efforts I've seen defensively all year.

StGeorge were chasing hard earlier in the year, as were another Sydney team (I wasn't told which) - but he refuses to move to Sydney, so realistically only a few clubs were a chance, all of which were mentioned.

Read between the lines - he was never a chance of leaving Newcastle - lifestyle is more important to him than money. Given his status in the game, he was unlikely to earn much (if any) more playing than mining - so if his family is happy here, and his mrs has a good job, his options would seem either the Knights or the mines.

it would be a tragedy to see him running around in the local comp - particularly when we are going to be short of props.

I predict if he ends up in the local comp, he will make 150+ metres a game, and his team will win the comp.

 

[antonius]

Simmo and then we'll revert to using backrowers.

 

[Karmawave]

Well obviously cost isn't the problem.

The Knights have the money to pay for him. They were under the cap this year, and haven't broken the budget next year with Buderus leaving.

Why is Royal not wanted? What can possibly be the reason other than Smith doesn't think he is good enough?

 

[macavity]

Well obviously cost isn't the problem.

The Knights have the money to pay for him. They were under the cap this year, and haven't broken the budget next year with Buderus leaving.

Why is Royal not wanted? What can possibly be the reason other than Smith doesn't think he is good enough?

Smith wants to get rid of all the older, respected players. He sees them as threats to his authority - why do you think Bedsy won't be here next year, or the Mad Dog?

Not sure if Royal is in that category, but it would seem he might just be. On the "doesn't rate" argument, if that was the case why would he rush him back, or start him so often for that matter?

Simmo will be next on the chopping block - guarantee it.

Meaning we might see Simmo running around for the Pumpkin Pickers in 2010 or so...

That argument aside, the other likely scenerio is Smith sees the likes of Houston, Ciraldo, Simmo and Taia as genuine front row options, and is planning to play a mobile, up-tempo sort of game (ala Tigers 2005). De Gois certainly fits that mould, as does Gids. Wicks and Cross certainly dont.

might work, though we will get out muscled pretty often one would think.

I just hope he isn't counting on the sheep-swallower being a starting prospect.

 

[Johns Magic]

Smith wants to get rid of all the older, respected players. He sees them as threats to his authority - why do you think Bedsy won't be here next year, or the Mad Dog?

Come on, Bedsy was never going to stay even if we wanted him to. He wanted a retirement package in England and fair enough too.

MacDougall not being here next year is probably because he's 34. Everyone here was calling for his sacking last year, but Smith signed him on for another season. I don't think Smith feels threatened by him.

Also, to suggest Royal is as respected or as much a part of the old club culture as these two is just wrong. He's only ever played first-grade under Smith. The reason he's being let go is probably the same reason we didn't try to re-sign White - Smith plain and simple doesn't think they fit into the team he's trying to create.

 

[Spike]

Shame about Royal, but this is the nature of the business. It wouldn't surprise me if he ends up playing in the local comp, only to be picked up again by the Knights next year if a few injuries hit the forwards so they only have to give him match payments. Will save the Knights a bit on Wicks' food bill.

 

[keeney]

I just feel Royal deserves better, he is a solid player, good for solid defense, very few errors, a decent offload and reliable metres. Add on top of that he's cheap and relatively durable. With a dearth of quality props I simply cannot fathom how he isn't seen as an investment worth making.