Next Season

[Sheikh]

Todd, I included Jenkins because he did play for us, and is still listed as a Force player on the RugbyWA site. We did sign him on an emergency contract, but I didn't think he was under contract with the Waratahs (he's a Sydney boy), so we don't have to give him back to anyone.

Someone (apologies, because I've forgotten who) said Hunt was playing full-back in Sydney second-grade, so maybe he isn't the real deal, either. Makes getting a fly-half even more important.

I'd heard rumours about releasing Stanford, but couldn't remember anything concrete. To be honest, I wouldn't say he was a great loss, other than his versatility and not minding being a squad player - he never looked like getting in front of Wykes and Hockings. But Lock is an area we need to address. Last season we had injuries all over the team, but Captain Fantastic held us together. If he got injured we'd be in dire straits.

[farva]

Im pretty sure Stanford is gone. And I cant understand why.
I dont really want to see Sam Harris back. Good luck to the guy, but he wasnt a S14 quality player.

We need a young up and coming lock. A decent flyhalf - be that Ripia or MacKay. A couple of quick young outside backs and a young centre.

Ive heard rumours that Hunt isnt all that. Where did the rumour that he was the next big think come from?
And how old is Godwin? He would be a year or two away from a full contract I would have thought. And I hope they pull Siliva Siliva and Cruze Ah-Nau up to full contracts - I believe that Siliva is being courted by the Rebels.

Long term, the team is starting to come together (5 years time plan):

Cowen
Whittaker
Ah-Nau
McCalman
Hocking
Wykes (Hodgson is 29 I believe, he has maybe 2 years?)
Pocock
Brown

Turner
Godwin
Cummins
JOC
Inamn
DHP
Shepherd

[Homer J]

Get Manny Edmunds in from France. Getting old but can help Godwin progress.
The shortage of locks is dire, even the Rebels have had to buy in old journeymen and added Jones as cover. Not one Australian team has a good set.
Qld will have Horwill and Simmons and then daylight next (for locks under 34yrs old)
NSW have Douglas and Mumm, Caldwell
Brumbies have Chapman, harrison and Chisholm, so no locks at all.

[GIGS20]

Ive heard rumours that Hunt isnt all that. Where did the rumour that he was the next big think come from?

Nudgee......everything I've heard about him seems to have come from the quote that having him and Rabbit on the field together was "like tackling smoke"

Schoolboy form doesn't always translate into Super rugby form, but it can, look at Quade. He was abysmal for a couple of seasons, and many questioned the 'next big thing' tag. but he's grown into the position nicely.....Kurtley would be another example, Touted as being the next long-term Wallaby flyhalf, and struggled for a long time to be a mediocre talent....Seems to have found his feet a bit at fullback, but not a quality flyhalf.

Hunt may develop, you never know. Possibly he shows the promise that Quade had when young and just needs to mature into the role. We'll never know unless he's given the reins for a bit!

[palitu]

hodgo is 27..

[TOCC]

TOCC you seem to have overlooked the fact that South Africa has the one of the Largest player bases in the world possibly behind France i think.. So while there is speculation about his intentions why dont we speculate in the positive... maybe he is looking at our player stock options over west rather than east..............

no i didnt overlook that, apart from the two foreign player positions i doubt there is a overly large market of South African players with Australian heritage to justify focussing there recruitment on South Africa.

---------- Post added at 18:26 ---------- Previous post was at 18:19 ----------

Im pretty sure Stanford is gone. And I cant understand why.

Yes Stanford has signed for Honda in Japan

[Timbo]

OK - so where are we at? My current knowledge (?) base:

Staying:

Mark Bartholomeusz
Richard Brown
Nathan Charles
Pekahou Cowan
Nick Cummins
Matt Dunning
Tim Fairbrother
Dane Haylett-Petty
Tom Hockings
Matt Hodgson
Stefano Hunt
Mitch Inman
Kieran Longbottom
Ben McCalman
James O'Connor
David Pocock
Ted Postal
Joelin Rapana - Academy
Nathan Sharpe
Brett Sheehan
Scott Staniforth
Mark Swanepoel
Justin Turner
Ben Whittaker
Sam Wykes

Joining:
Gene Fairbanks

Upgrades from Academy?:
Cruze Ah-Nau
Siliva Siliva

Unsure:
Cameron Shepherd (Awaiting signature)
Jono Jenkins (Not Sure)
Andre Pretorius (Not Sure - Sharks?)
Ryan Tyrrell (Not Sure - Injury)

Going:
Ryan Cross (Gone Waratahs)
Sam Harris (Released)
Nic Henderson (Gone Rebels)
David Hill (Gone Japan)
Luke Jones (Gone Rebels)
Chris O'Young (Retired)
Haig Sare (Released)
Richard Stanford (Gone Japan)
Josh Tatupu (Gone NZ)

Rumours:
Willie Ripia
James Stannard
Lachlan Mackay
Josias Ebersohn
Mike Harris

[zimeric]

Lachlan Mackay - isnt he just a TWF twinkle in the eye?
any sauces?