2016 Contract Renewals

[jono]

Either way - they backed the wrong horse

[GIGS20]

Either way - they backed the wrong horse

Yeah OK, but did any of the Japanese imports play?

I don't remember it, but I don't watch the other aussie teams as much as others here.

[Whatsdoin]

If I remember correctly, Yamada was more like a student exchange than a purchased player.
Offered to the Force for the season. Free of charge.
With Yamada taking notes for the Japanese super team.

Yamada was contracted so Foley can look good to the Japanese. Foley then has a job in Japan when he gets the sack here or leaves!

[jono]

Yeah OK, but did any of the Japanese imports play?

I don't remember it, but I don't watch the other aussie teams as much as others here.

Didn't the rebels play a Japanese international? A hooker? Can't remember his name and I haven't had a coffee yet so can't work a search engine

[travelling_gerry]

Yamada was contracted so Foley can look good to the Japanese. Foley then has a job in Japan when he gets the sack here or leaves!

[SNOB]

If I remember correctly, Yamada was more like a student exchange than a purchased player.
Offered to the Force for the season. Free of charge.
With Yamada taking notes for the Japanese super team.

Thanks G!

[Buddha Handy]

Didn't the rebels play a Japanese international? A hooker? Can't remember his name and I haven't had a coffee yet so can't work a search engine

They had the hooker Shota Horie who seems pretty good. The Reds had a big number 8 Hendrik Tui who also looked good and should have got more game time. Tanaka for the highlanders is also pretty handy. The way our wingers were going last year he could have been worth a shot.

[GIGS20]

Shota Horie was a genuine contract wasn't he? He has played for a few years and therefore predates this program. He might have been signed under this deal this year, he might not...I don't know the details.

I was more wondering whether the program was of ANY value, since Yamada didn't get a minute, did any of the others....in terms of exposure to Super Rugby, Shota Horie's exposure didn't change, Tanaka for the Highlanders wasn't part of the program and the guy you mention for the reds is a mystery to me....

I guess one can measure value in many ways, perhaps the aim of the program was to show the Japanese players how a professional rugby program is run at this level...I would assume that could be achieved without any game time at all.

[palitu]

Yeah, i would have thought that he could have played considering how we went. That being said, Mitchell should have been on first no matter what! .

it would have been good to get some background on the program if it was more of a recon mission.

[The InnFORCEr]

Each Australian Franchise is allowed a Japanese "Concessional Signing", they do not come in to salary cap. And it was for 2015 only.

They had the hooker Shota Horie who seems pretty good. The Reds had a big number 8 Hendrik Tui who also looked good and should have got more game time. Tanaka for the highlanders is also pretty handy. The way our wingers were going last year he could have been worth a shot.

A very interesting fact about Tanaka is that he was the most experienced Test Player in the Highlanders winning 2015 Super Rugby Team, and he didn't even take the filed in the Grand Final. I really rate his game and he is a genuine character, always brings a smile when the camera gets to him, and the human tamagotchi segment on Rugby HQ was pretty funny too

[The InnFORCEr]

Another re signing to be announced in the next hour and few more later in the week

[jono]

Van Wyk, 2 more years

[The InnFORCEr]

Another re signing to be announced in the next hour and few more later in the week

Van Wyk, 2 more years

Front page updated

[Buddha Handy]

Good news. Surely Tessman must be close as well

[GIGS20]

Despite limited opportunities in the big show, the NRC has shown that Van Wyk has some serious potential!

Good signing