Rugby League players who could have/could make the switch
- Thread starter EVERYFWDTHINKTHEYREA6OR7
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T
Train Without a Station
Guest
Disappointed the ARU didn't kick in anything. I wouldn't be expecting Izzy type money but a little assistance if only for the marketing benefits would have been nice.
Pfitzy
George Gregan (70)
I think that's the big one: marketing. However Carmichael et al have done a pretty good job of that to date.
I suspect the Izzy boat was the last one to sail for a while until the ARU can put itself well into the black for a couple of years. NRC needs to get into the black as well in order to stabilise the base.
I suspect the Izzy boat was the last one to sail for a while until the ARU can put itself well into the black for a couple of years. NRC needs to get into the black as well in order to stabilise the base.
T
Train Without a Station
Guest
Surely 100k or 200k would not have been back breaking. It just serves Australian rugby no benefit to have one team struggle because they had to pay the whole wage of a marquee signing that will likely wear gold within a year.
I'm with you on wanting some support for Hunt but I can see that it has to stop somewhere. If the ARU pitched in then I can see the other provinces wanting similar deals. 200k suddenly turns into a million and the kitty is empty again.
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I'm guessing McKenzie's comments go some way to the reasoning behind there being no ARU top up. They're not confident Hunt will be straight into that top 30 players.
Age is certainly a factor. Whilst he's only 2 and a half years older than Folau, he'll essentially be starting his Australian rugby career four and a half years older than Folau was when he came across.
Age is certainly a factor. Whilst he's only 2 and a half years older than Folau, he'll essentially be starting his Australian rugby career four and a half years older than Folau was when he came across.
en_force_er
Geoff Shaw (53)
Are they looking at him as a 13?
There's a decent chance of that but there's also likely to be lots of competition next year if people are fit.
JOC (James O'Connor) and Speight add more depth to the outside backs and the return of Cooper will mean we've got three good candidates for the 10 jersey and the bench who won't all fit into the team.
It's a great position for Australian rugby to be in really.
en_force_er
Geoff Shaw (53)
Hopefully someone knows, though it wouldn't surprise me if they sort of just see where he fits.
T
TOCC
Guest
I have no doubt he has been signed to the Reds to play fullback since that is a glaring weakness in the current Reds back-line.
That been said, based on his skills displayed at the Broncos I think his best position may ultimately be in the centres.
If he makes the Wallaby squad it would be in a utility back type role.
That been said, based on his skills displayed at the Broncos I think his best position may ultimately be in the centres.
If he makes the Wallaby squad it would be in a utility back type role.
Highlander35
Andrew Slack (58)
He's 2 & a 1/2 years older, plus he's starting 2 years later. When Folau started, he was 23, Hunt will be 28 by the time he plays in a Soup game. That's quite significant.
en_force_er
Geoff Shaw (53)
Plenty of teams are running a 2nd fullback in a blind winger role nowadays. He'd do allllright.
Tomikin
Simon Poidevin (60)
T
Train Without a Station
Guest
Be fucked. Turnstiles aren't exactly spinning with people coming to watch Mowen and Douglas. Also they weren't actually offered more money overseas. Offers were comparable.
Also a major factor for Cummins was a short season.
None of these were because the ARU was just a bit short on what they were offering.
Biffo
Ken Catchpole (46)
i agree totally, with a little proviso. i saw, i think, every minute he played in France and am very confident that that Karmichael Hunt would have Izzie-level impact in rugby. my proviso is thus that the Karmichael Hunt of today is in physical condition that allows him to deliver his best. the boy can play.
i am not concerned about his starting "behind Folau" in age terms as he is starting way ahead of him in experience.
i am hoping that Hunt can be given enough time in the NRC to get into the Wallabies' Spring trip. he is that good.
T
Train Without a Station
Guest
Exactly. Izzy came in never having played rugby. In addition, Izzy struggled to adapt to AFL. Hunt has played Australian schoolboys in something like 2003, easily adapted to Top 14 Rugby 7 years later than adapted well to AFL where his biggest constraint has been injuries.
And with regard to the previous comments that Hunt isn't an elite rugby player, he is elite in skill level. Tactically he might take some time but his handling skills will likely be superior to most players here, thus improving that for us.
And with regard to the previous comments that Hunt isn't an elite rugby player, he is elite in skill level. Tactically he might take some time but his handling skills will likely be superior to most players here, thus improving that for us.