Rumours and Stuff

[Bazal]

Semi is an all-time talent (although far from an all-time player) and I will miss his electrifying performances on the field but he and his manager have been a massive nuisance over the last 6 months. No qualms with him chasing the almighty dollar overseas (limited playing window and all that) but he went about it in close to the least professional manner possible.

Best we can hope for is that he helps jag us the title this year. Given his recent run of antics I suppose there is a lot worse that could happen though.

2017 shapes as a big year for the likes of George Jennings and Dane Aukafolau now.

For mine, Semi has been used and abused by his manager all the way. Look, the poor bloke is clearly at the bottom rung of tool sharpness. A bit like SBW, talented but pretty dumb and incredibly easily manipulated. The manager will come out and say this is what's best for Semi, blah blah blah but really it's been all about the commission on the deal...Toulon (or any French RU club, really) will pay through the roof for a player like Semi, Semi will do whatever the smart bloke in the suit says, bloke in suit gets big commission.

 

[hindy111]

Semi is an all-time talent (although far from an all-time player) and I will miss his electrifying performances on the field but he and his manager have been a massive nuisance over the last 6 months. No qualms with him chasing the almighty dollar overseas (limited playing window and all that) but he went about it in close to the least professional manner possible.

Best we can hope for is that he helps jag us the title this year. Given his recent run of antics I suppose there is a lot worse that could happen though.

2017 shapes as a big year for the likes of George Jennings and Dane Aukafolau now.

Our club has lost Hayne- Foran -Semi in the space of 24mths. That's 3 of the bigger names in the sport. We can look at it from many angles but its hurts from all of them. It is hard to replace that type of talent.

I am in two minds to release him early and upgrade a Tepai and extend or to keep him. I don't think we have a premiership side. We have a top 8 side perhaps. But a lot has to fall in place.
There are also two young centres in under 20s that could be a chance forty 20? What do you know about this guy from the titans?

 

[hindy111]

He played 10 games for the Gold Coast 20's in 2016 scoring 2 tries. Not sure if he played any Qld Cup last year but if he only managed 10 games in a struggling Titans team and wasn't injured I'm not sure how excited we should be about him.

Everyone on Titans forum where burning. Saying him and Kelly where most hyped juniors had at the club and lost both.

 

[ashton]

Mason Cerruto has joined Penrith.

 

[hindy111]

Toulon offer of 750k a season was substantially higher. I would of thought we would offer around 500k and maybe a TPA

 

[El Diablo]

 

[Forty20]

Our club has lost Hayne- Foran -Semi in the space of 24mths. That's 3 of the bigger names in the sport. We can look at it from many angles but its hurts from all of them. It is hard to replace that type of talent.

I am in two minds to release him early and upgrade a Tepai and extend or to keep him. I don't think we have a premiership side. We have a top 8 side perhaps. But a lot has to fall in place.
There are also two young centres in under 20s that could be a chance forty 20? What do you know about this guy from the titans?

Only seen the YouTube highlight package of Greg Leleisiuao so I have nothing close to an informed opinion. From Gold Coast fans, he seems to be another talented but erratic prospect. Needs to produce on the training paddock consistently to take his game to the next level.

There are some quality outside backs coming through the 20s. I have waxed lyrical about Tui Afualo at length and often. He is still a little raw when it comes to the NYC but that is a given when you consider he debuted at 16/17. Ethan Parry is the other standout prospect in the centres. Same age as Tui but he suffered a nasty leg fracture that put a close to the better part of his 2016 campaign. Outstanding athletic profile and he looks to be making a strong recovery.

Kirisome Auva'a and Marata Niukore are the two Wenty guys to monitor at centre. Auva'a physically resembles the player he was when he burst into the NRL in 2014. Not expecting the world from him but he seems to be fully motivated. Niukore is a really, really interesting 'tweener'. Not sure if he is a backrower or centre at this stage but he has definitely flashed talent in the pre-season. Hope we get a better look at him in the Nines.

 

[Green River Eel]

Semi can suck my salty balls.

 

[El Diablo]

Semi can suck my salty balls.

have you tasted your balls?

 

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

For mine, Semi has been used and abused by his manager all the way. Look, the poor bloke is clearly at the bottom rung of tool sharpness. A bit like SBW, talented but pretty dumb and incredibly easily manipulated. The manager will come out and say this is what's best for Semi, blah blah blah but really it's been all about the commission on the deal...Toulon (or any French RU club, really) will pay through the roof for a player like Semi, Semi will do whatever the smart bloke in the suit says, bloke in suit gets big commission.

Maybe. But maybe Semi is also quite happy to be manipulated if it means a big fat paycheque. He just might not feel any great loyalty to our club.

 

[yy_cheng]

If Semi gets convicted, will he be able to get a visa to enter Europe?

 

[The Phelan Folly]

Western Sydney for 3-4-500k?
Or the south of France for 700k?

 

[Green River Eel]

have you tasted your balls?

Went for a swim at Bondi today, high salt levels.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Cut him loose now guys, he is a cancer in your club regardless of his ability on the field.

You're kidding. He's on massive unders. This is better than if he had accepted the upgrade.

The key to success isn't having Semi Radradra in your team - plenty of NRL teams have been doing well without him. The key is having a top 25 squad worth more than the salary cap. Without Radradra we'll have that much extra cap space to spend elsewhere in our team.

 

[hindmarshisgod]

Cant say i blame Semi.

Who would want to take less pay to play in the most rigged sport on earth in front of pissy crowd each game?

 

[hindy111]

He has given us a season to prepare and replace.
But pou couldnt we promote a younger guy a d upgrade and extend tepai and gives us more money to spend for 2018 ?

 

[Pazza]

Im glad Semi has told us now so we have an opportunity to replace him. Unlike Hayne who's late exit completely screwed up the 2015 season.

 

[Dibs]

Cut him loose now guys, he is a cancer in your club regardless of his ability on the field.

Comments like this make me laugh. Do you really think a bunch of merkins on a footy forum have the power to take your ill thought out advice and cut him loose? Send an email to Bernie, he won't listen to anything you have to say but at least he has the power to do what you suggest

 

[TheFrog]

Western Sydney for 3-4-500k?
Or the south of France for 700k?

Toulon is a nice enough place. The view from the hill is especially breathtaking. But they speak French there and expect visitors to make an effort to do the same. It's cold and windy in the winter, and its expensive. The only things cheaper than here are booze and cigs. Four euros for a 6 pack of Leffe 9% when I was last there, a few years back now admittedly.

 

[Chipmunk]

Can't say it wasn't obviously coming. His manager has been trying to get the deal done for some time. Oh we, hopefully he is allowed play after his court appearance but if not I am confident the club is looking at replacements.

The money I'd say Semi is currently on we won't be replacing him with too much. .certainly won't be replacing him with a player anywhere near the same calibre.