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Rumoured/Confirmed Signings and More Crap XVI

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Gronk

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Enigmatic Canterbury Bulldogs centre Krisnan Inu could be set to announce his departure from the club as early as this week with reports emerging on Thursday morning that a French rugby union club has expressed interest in signing the Kiwi international.
The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Inu and his management have been attempting to finalise a deal with a French rugby club during the week, with an official announcement potentially only days away.
Inu is one of the most electrifying players in the game when he is on form, however his problem has always been maintaining his consistency from week to week and month to month – something that has led to him failing to lock down a long-term position at an NRL club.
The 27-year-old has had previous stints at the Parramatta Eels and New Zealand Warriors before joining the Bulldogs in 2012.
Inu has actually enjoyed an extremely successful career with the aforementioned clubs – albeit over limited periods of time – playing in Grand Finals for each of the Eels, Warriors and Bulldogs.
The strong ball-running centre has failed to lock down a regular starting spot in Des Hasler’s side this season and has again been dropped from the Bulldog’s side to play North Queensland on Saturday night on the back of Josh Morris’ return from injury.
Inu was also reportedly on the brink of signing for the Storm before the June 30 mid-season transfer deadline before Melbourne opted to go for young Tigers winger Marika Koroibete.
http://www.rippa.com/category/rugby...he-outer-at-canterbury-bulldogs-201407240001/
 

Forty20

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GREAT DAYS AHEAD FOR EELS UNDER ARTHUR

VETERAN CENTRE WILLIE TONGA RECKONS Parramatta have turned a big corner under coach Brad Arthur - and has vowed to play every remaining game with the club "as if it's my last".

Tonga, 30, has signed a two-year deal with Super League club Catalan Dragons, but says the Eels have gone from being an unattractive proposition for would-be recruits to a team players want to join.

"Brad Arthur's been amazing; he's been great to work with," says Tonga, who played 12 Tests for Australia between 2004-11. "He's approachable and his attitude towards the game and towards the boys...he knows how to get the best out of everybody. That goes a long way.

"In the last couple of years, people didn't want to sign here because it wasn't very attractive to come to a team that wasn't doing so well. But now, with seven weeks to go, anything can happen. We've got these young boys coming through can people can that Parramatta's a developing team. Hopefully that can be a drawcard for some players and some big names will come to Parramatta and make us a successful club - as it should be."

Discussing what could be his final two months in the NRL, Tonga adds: "I just want to make the most of it. I'm playing every game like it's my last."

Tonga says he was blown away by the power of Souths in the 32-12 defeat last Friday - and particular by the Burgess brothers.

"They've finished in the top four for the past couple of years, so for us to be where we were in the last 15 minutes is a credit to us," he says. "that's the first time I've played those Burgess brothers all together. Packing into the scrum, I couldn't believe how big they were but our boys handled what they threw at us early."

Steve Mascord

RLW, July 24 2014, Pg. 16

Who's that kid?

Zach Dockar-Clay
Parramatta Eels


The Stats
D.O.B: April 24, 1995
Birthplace: New Plymouth, NZ
Junior Club: Bell Block Marist Dragons
Position: Halfback/Hooker
Height: 172CM
Weight: 83KG
Studying: Sport and Recreation

The Style

Nineteen years old now, Zach Dockar-Clay will qualify for another season of Holden Cup next year but Parramatta under-20s coach Justin Holbrook believes he will be too good.

Already, the New Zealand-born half tops the competition for try assists and trains three times a week with the NRL squad - perfecting his leadership skills alongside Jarryd Hayne and his creativity and kicking game with Chris Sandow.

The improvement speaks for itself, with the young captain steering his team to within the top four of the under-20s ladder and within the premiership frame. "He's still only 19 so he could play 20s next year but he'll be too good for that," Holbrook told Big League.

"He's good at running the ball, his kicking game is good and his defence is solid. He's improved a lot since the start of the year and he's having a great year. Who knows what will happen next year...I think he's doing the NRL pre-season, but he's showing that he's one of the dominant players in the NYC competition [Forty20 - National Youth Competition Competition] this year."

As long as the ball is in his hands, Dockar-Clay excels. He can easily switch between hooker and halfback and his organisation skills have been crucial to the Eels' success this season. His competition-high 21 try assists highlight what his team-mates already know - they kid can create.

The Rap

It's not just Dockar-Clay's ability that has excited the Eels for the future. It's also the maturity he's developing through his new role as under-20s captain and the way it has translated through his performances on the field.

In handing Dockar-Clay the cpataincy, Holbrook knew he was helping create a domiannt playmaker for the future. "he's been playing with real maturity now that not many 19-year-olds can play with," he said.

"That's probably the best thing that he's improved on this year. Normally he's got a great running game but he's really organising the team well this year and I think it's a credit to him maturing."

"This year in particular he's shown really good leadership qualities for the team and getting our team around the park, which there aren't many halves that can do that in the game any more. I'm really happy that he's having a great season.

The Man Himself

The Junior Kiwis representative also starred for New South Wales under-18s in 2013 and has taken his development with Parramatta very seriously. This season, he reckons, has been his best.

"I'm loving it," he said. "I've been with the Eels for a few years now, but this year has probably been the best year considering we haven't been going too well over the last few years. It's been good to be in the top eight and actually coming first at one stage so it's been good."

He spneds the first half of the week in full-time training with the NRL squad and the second half of the week studying a certificate in sport and recreation, in hopes to be a qualified personal trainer.

What has it been like to train with the NRL squad this season?

I train two or three times a week with first grade. I feel like my game has progressed so much since I've been training with first grade, especially with the likes of Jarryd Hayne and Chris Sandow and playing underneath them. It's been very helpful to my game.

Have you enjoyed the captaincy role?

This is my first year actually captaining so it's a good feeling to lead the team out and especially with how we've been going. I'm definitely trying to get better.

Pamela Whaley

Big League, July 24 2014, Pg. 18

Considering our 20s have been one of the top teams in 2014, I am pretty disappointed that it took 20 rounds for one of our kids to feature in this column. Other teams have had multiple players given the spotlight. It is stupid to be annoyed by it I know, but it would be nice to see one of the most improved teams get some recognition.

Anyway, enjoy some nice insight in to Zach Dockar-Clay, including the intriguing news that he is unlikely to play in the Holden Cup next year.
 

Gronk

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Awsome 40/20.

Just proves that the Lurker makes shit up to fill column space.
 

oldmancraigy

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Good to hear Willie Tonga will play every game 'as if it's his last'.

And I REALLY REALLY hope he lets the younger guys in the squad watch him as he laces up his boots before each game. Makes me tear up just thinking about it.
 

Joshuatheeel

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Steve Mascord

RLW, July 24 2014, Pg. 16



Big League, July 24 2014, Pg. 18

Considering our 20s have been one of the top teams in 2014, I am pretty disappointed that it took 20 rounds for one of our kids to feature in this column. Other teams have had multiple players given the spotlight. It is stupid to be annoyed by it I know, but it would be nice to see one of the most improved teams get some recognition.

Anyway, enjoy some nice insight in to Zach Dockar-Clay, including the intriguing news that he is unlikely to play in the Holden Cup next year.

But has he even been given a game in nsw cup this year? We don't know if he can even handle nsw cup yet

I reckon next year he will start in the 20's then do what they have done matterson. A few games in nsw cup then dropped back down.
 

Gronk

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If the rumours are true with DCE, then we don't rate ZDC as being the answer in the short term.

Would a player like ZDC be happy to bide his time in reggies until 2017/8 ?
 

Forty20

First Grade
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I think the biggest difference between Matterson/2014 and Dockar-Clay/2015 is the strength and depth in the other halves pushing for selection in the NYC.

While Matterson/Dockar-Clay have been great together in 2014, when Matterson plays for Wenty we have played Mark Daoud and Dylan [Dyldan] Izzard in the 20s - neither of whom have set the field alight.

In 2015 we have some more exciting options in Jason Vidal, Bevan French and Nifo Seve along with SG Ball talent Troy Dargan and Michael Doolan potentially coming into the mix.

I wouldn't be surprised if Dockar-Clay was handled the same way as Matterson but we also have the talent and depth to support him moving up the the NSW Cup in a full-time capacity.
 

Poupou Escobar

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But has he even been given a game in nsw cup this year? We don't know if he can even handle nsw cup yet

I reckon next year he will start in the 20's then do what they have done matterson. A few games in nsw cup then dropped back down.

After another off season ZDC will almost certainly be a vastly improved player from the one we see now. It's very possible that he starts the year in NSW Cup, especially if part of his extension is an upgrade for next year. That upgrade would probably price him out of the NYC cap.

Also, there are potentially a couple more halves graduating from SG Ball (Vidal turns 19 plus a couple of others are turning 18, including Dargan and Doolan). Then there's Markus and Izzard who turn 20 next year.

There are a few good reasons for Dockar-Clay to start 2015 at Wenty. With Foran, Jones and Kelly leaving we will be light on for backup halves in the fulltime squad.
 

Poupou Escobar

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If the rumours are true with DCE, then we don't rate ZDC as being the answer in the short term.

Would a player like ZDC be happy to bide his time in reggies until 2017/8 ?

ZDC turns 22 in 2017. That's the same age DCE was in 2011 when he made his NRL debut.
 

Avenger

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Since 2005 the only halves prospects that are still playing in the NRL is Trent Hodkinson and Maloney. Shows how hard the step up is.
 

Poupou Escobar

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I think the biggest difference between Matterson/2014 and Dockar-Clay/2015 is the strength and depth in the other halves pushing for selection in the NYC.

While Matterson/Dockar-Clay have been great together in 2014, when Matterson plays for Wenty we have played Mark Daoud and Dylan [Dyldan] Izzard in the 20s - neither of whom have set the field alight.

In 2015 we have some more exciting options in Jason Vidal, Bevan French and Nifo Seve along with SG Ball talent Troy Dargan and Michael Doolan potentially coming into the mix.

I wouldn't be surprised if Dockar-Clay was handled the same way as Matterson but we also have the talent and depth to support him moving up the the NSW Cup in a full-time capacity.

With the comparison between Matterson and ZDC, don't forget that Matterson was playing edge forward off the bench prior to this year (his final year of eligibility). Dockar-Clay, otoh, started 2013 in the haves - he only turned 18 that year.
 
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