Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[weststigerman]

The only upside I can see with Bird is he is tough and a competitor which is something this group need.

He seems too small for the back row and not athletic enough for centre so I'm not sure where he plays.

 

[Betterdays22]

I like the work we have done in the backs for next year. The forward pack is a worry.

Who is our depth for 2nd row? Ice and Bateman, while they underperformed here are at least solid first graders. As it stands it will be Porter as next man up after Seyfarth and Fainu. Lock is a similar issue.

The last couple of spots will hopefully be forwards who can give similar output across all positions in the forward pack. Horsburgh probably fits the bill.

 

[Nonotmeagain]

Has jack Bird signed ? Or are we just regurgitating what some "journalist" who happened to turn up a day early for a press conference posted ?

 

[Kaito]

Ice, Bateman & Stef collected 2 spoons between
them. We'll sign a forward or 2 more & release guys
but I'm liking the improvements already to be honest

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Has jack Bird signed ? Or are we just regurgitating what some "journalist" who happened to turn up a day early for a press conference posted ?

First there’s talk of us singing him a week ago. Now a journo is reporting seeing him walk out of our HQ. Join the dots.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Has jack Bird signed ? Or are we just regurgitating what some "journalist" who happened to turn up a day early for a press conference posted ?

Was seen walking out of Concord. May have just toured the facilities like Horsburgh did last week. Doesn't mean they are signing!

 

[Tom Shines]

well there's still Twal, Pole, Sione and Seyfarth that will all be in the side somewhere, and likely one of Horsburgh and Hetherington. Klemmer there as well. I'm not particularly worried about allocation of minutes.

as others have said, he's played a full season this year playing 80. wherever he plays for WT I'm fair

im looking at this process as having to replace three starters…even to maintain the status quo which is hardly a top half of the comp pack …

It’s arguable that the three replacements assuming say horsburgh also signs, are better than the three they are replacing ..so any overall improvement will need to come from within … it’s probably going to be modest overall improvement I would suggest .. when a leap is required ..

 

[Vicious]

Was seen walking out of Concord. May have just toured the facilities like Horsburgh did last week. Doesn't mean they are signing!

Would this be the first or second time he has toured the facilities?

 

[Lestronge]

So him and Hunt 20-30 minute benchies when half the starting pack walking out the door ?

Stef has not been good for most of this year . And we have been dominated a lot in the middle . Last year , yep he was getting us down field . This year Pole has out played him , even though Stef will have that “once a game knock the dummy half flying and gain 1m for a slow play the ball” spectacular run .
Or the even more rare” Payne hass run over everyone” twice a year run . He had last round . If Pole can learn positioning in defence under stress re. Tired and retreating defensive line , plus a little more leg drive , he could be anything . Could find himself in the top 3-5 props in the game . Different type of player , but far more consistent , and far more likely to maintain a longer career / stay on the field

 

[Coastie_Tiger]

see Weidlers tweet

jack bird might be the 1

yeah its a bit meh but he does plug some gaps, prefer someone else though.

 

[jrtiger]

im looking at this process as having to replace three starters…even to maintain the status quo which is hardly a top half of the comp pack …

It’s arguable that the three replacements assuming say horsburgh also signs, are better than the three they are replacing ..so any overall improvement will need to come from within … it’s probably going to be modest overall improvement I would suggest .. when a leap is required ..

Stef will be replaced by Fonua.
one of Seyfarth and Bird will replace Bateman, the other will play off the bench
Horsburgh / Hetherington will replace Papali’i

looking squarely at 2024 output, Fonua leaves Stefano for dead, Seyfarth and Bird are as good as Bateman at the very least and we will miss Papali’i, irrespective of who his replacement is.

you are right though, it is a massive preseason for a number of players that will be required to take on bigger roles. time will tell.

 

[kade7]

believe jack has signed a 2 year deal , well thats what someone with initials dw was sprouting at a coffee shop near concord

 

[king_sirro]

The only upside I can see with Bird is he is tough and a competitor which is something this group need.

He seems too small for the back row and not athletic enough for centre so I'm not sure where he plays.

I think as a backrower/lock he is your Kurt Mann type. Not big, but deceptively strong with decent footwork, skill and leg speed.

 

[Coastie_Tiger]

believe jack has signed a 2 year deal , well thats what someone with initials dw was sprouting at a coffee shop near concord

Organica?

 

[Vicious]

im looking at this process as having to replace three starters…even to maintain the status quo which is hardly a top half of the comp pack …

It’s arguable that the three replacements assuming say horsburgh also signs, are better than the three they are replacing ..so any overall improvement will need to come from within … it’s probably going to be modest overall improvement I would suggest .. when a leap is required ..

You would think it’s highly likely Pole has earned a promotion to become a starting prop and Hunt would become impact value off the bench. That should adequately cover the loss of Utoikamanu.
It’s hard to say if Bird will be looked at as a starting centre, back rower or 13, but if he was to start on our right edge and used in tandem with Seyfarth, I believe that’s a big upgrade from Bateman.
The sticking point is how we cover the loss of Papali’i who is now proving to be a valuable 13. In my opinion signing any of Kobe Herherington, Jack Williams, Adam Elliott or Tallis Duncan would go a long way to filling void at 13, particularly with the possibility of Latu Fainu also spending time as our 13 each game.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

believe jack has signed a 2 year deal , well thats what someone with initials dw was sprouting at a coffee shop near concord

That's ok if it's just 2 years.

A few scenarios ... Bird & Latu Fainu to rotate as lock during games; Bird to right centre inside Skelton; Bird to right backrow or Bird as our backline/forward utility on bench.

I like option 1 especially if we can get a solid workhorse backrower like Frizell to sure up our right edge defense.

 

[Red Rugby]

Hard to fathom why they wouldnt have embraced Harry as a stalwart of the club, but then again, hardly suprising looking over the debarcle that has ensued with Balmain operations.

You might want to ask Benny and his consultancy business why that turned into a fiasco!

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I think as a backrower/lock he is your Kurt Mann type. Not big, but deceptively strong with decent footwork, skill and leg speed.

A Michael Buettner / Scott Sattler type signing of 03/04 days!

 

[bptiger 0]

Got hunt
Bird a maybe
Would like 2 if these below

Horsborgh
Hethington
Elliott

I think with these forward recruits and the backline we will have next year a top 8 is not out of the question
Maybe a good centre would be nice 🤔

 

[Fish88]

Bird is a definite risk but i can see some value in him at 13 if his body holds up to it.

Faster forwards that can cover positions are becoming more crucial with the speed of the play these days and added in HIAs requiring versatility.