Taia signs with Catalans Dragons

[Serc]

Taia signs with Catalans Dragons
Wednesday 16 May 2012 3:52 PM

The Newcastle Knights confirm Zeb Taia has accepted a three-year contract to play with Frances' Catalans Dragons, commencing next season.
Taia has been at the Knights since 2007, played 88 games for the Club to date and last season made a comeback to the game after a severe neck injury.
“We understand why Zeb has made this decision to secure his future,” CEO Matt Gidley said.
“He is a wonderful person and we know he leaves us with a heavy heart.
“In the meantime, Zeb has unfinished business at the Knights and there is a big season left in him here before he and his wife move overseas.”
The Knights forward said it was a difficult decision to leave the Club but one that was right for his future.
“The offer from Catalans was too good to refuse and I made this decision for my future,” Taia said.
“I feel fortunate for the opportunity to play with the Dragons and reuniting with former coach Trent Robinson made my decision easier.
“Whilst my wife and I are looking forward to experiencing life in another country, a beautiful one at that, I am forever indebted to the Knights.
"Not just for the time I have been here but the support they showed me, particularly last season during a potentially career ending injury.
“I want to thank the coaches, my teammates, past and present, and all the staff at the Club.
“Wayne has been great through this process and I have enjoyed my time under him this year. I know I will continue to learn from him before the season ends.
“Also Stoney, a massive thanks to him, he really supported me through my injury last year and has had a huge influence on me during my time at the Knights.
“For now, I have another goal to achieve and that is to play 100 games for the Knights, and to play finals footy with the boys.”

http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news-display/Taia-signs-with-Catalans-Dragons/55250



I am probably his #2 fan after pervy

 

[The Showstopper]

Onya Zebby. Happy to know he is going to a strong club over there. A Le Catalans title victory over there would be huge for The ESL. French Rugby needs some competition rather than soccer (calling it football in here just is not right).

 

[Whats Doing]

Some very honorable statements from Zeb.

 

[aqua_duck]

Will kill it over where defence isn't really emphasized as strongly, abit like Scott Dureau

 

[RABK]

Good luck to him. The neck could have been the end of him but he's just been able to sign the biggest pay check of his life. I'm sure he'd be welcomed back in some capacity post retirement if he missed the area.

Good for us to get the ball rolling - Zeb might have been the most expensive player we needed to move on but he should in no way be the last.

 

[doggone]

Very nicely said, sounds very sincere. I have always liked Zeb, hope he gets to his 100th game and play finals with the Knights. Good luck to you and your family great spot to play footy.

 

[Rolla]

I feel similarly to when Vuna left. As with Vuna Zeb seems a top bloke and clubman, he offers plenty on the pitch, and i love watching him go round in the red and blue. Again as with Vuna the team will go on fine without him but but he will be missed.

 

[Haffa]

Glad to hear he's joined Robbo who should be able to get some great value out of him.

 

[Yosh]

Good to hear he got a good deal. Good luck sire!~

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

Anyone know how much cap space he will create for us? I would think he would be on around 200k here?

 

[Nuffy]

Good luck to the bloke, did his best and played above expectations, one of Smiths "projects" that paid off.

Starts the changeover, few more to come.

 

[Frances the Mute]

Beau Scott paid for? When he was off contract last time he was a NZ rep so his probably on $250k thereabouts?

 

[Joker's Wild]

Good luck to him. Great player that showed guts coming back from a terrible injury

Seeing as he was not a local I wont expect a letter printed in the paper from a random little girl complaining that Wayne is ruining the team.

God help us if Eddie gets moved on though

 

[perverse]

fare thee well, sweet prince.

 

[RABK]

fare thee well, sweet prince.

James Blunt - Goodbye my lover

 

[The Showstopper]

Sorry Pervy. It must suck mate. You backed him from day one. I don't think Wayne got rid of him out of anything other than cap reasons. Makes sense if we are after Poore. The general belief is he didn't want to pay Poore overs in 2009 as Parra offered plenty.

 

[perverse]

it kinda feels like i was in a marriage that was slowly turning toxic, and now the divorce is official. ultimately it's the correct decision for both parties, i believe. I really hope he carves up over there, though. i suspect he will. Catalans are going to be quite a force, if they aren't already. i figured Robbo would be on the job when he knew Zeb was available. he definitely doesn't deserve to go if we keep the likes of Eddy. Zeb officially leaving surely marks the end of the vast majority of our off contract blokes. it'll be interesting to see where the replacements come from.

he's got a lot of heart, does Zeb. unfortunately his defense has been soft at times this year and he's been unable to get over that advantage line with any sort of regularity (and that's never really been his thing, although he's been better at it in the past). he's still got it, and when we've been in attacking positions this year he has been his regular troublesome self.

love ya work Zeb, hope you do get to 100 games, you definitely deserve that. deserves the paycheque, too.

 

[macavity]

One of my favorites too. Interesting that some of the "imports" (Zeb, Sau) show more pride in the jumper than anyone else.

Is Catalans the plum job in RL or what? Live in the south of France, travel Europe, and don't worry about playing defense...

 

[Frances the Mute]

Completely random fact, your very own Mark Hughes scored their first ever try!