ARU Confirm: Lote's just here for marketing purposes.

[formeropenside]

... I always thought Peter Ryan was a great buy for the Brumbies. He really added some steel to their defence. And yes, he too (believe it or not) was in the 88 Aussie schools rugby side.

Had tits for hands but.

 

[Lindommer]

That may be so but, by Christ, he could tackle.

Ryan went to Downlands at Toowoomba with Garrick Morgan before playing for Australian Schoolboys; Cross also played for Australian Schoolboys while he was at Waverley. Maybe there's a lesson here for rugby recruiters: check for some sort of rugby background when running the ruler over leaguies.

 

[Scarfman]

I thought Schif was bloody good for QLD and was a bit unlucky to not get higher honours. Very solid in the Hynes mould. Ran straight.

 

[Ash]

I am not against buying high-profile league players per se, I just think we need to find the right ones. A big name convert injects a lot of interest into the S14 and tests, and undoubtedly gets fans through the gates. The problems arise once the 'honeymoon period' is over and we all start to realise that Wendell, Lote, Matt, Nathan, Clinton and Timana really aren't that good at rugby.

Find more Ryan Crosses and less Wendell Sailors, that is the answer. A well-picked leaguie can do provincial rugby the world of good- its just that we haven't really seen one in NSW yet.

Who's Nathan? Blacklock? I think the Tahs paid SFA for him.

 

[barbarian]

I am not against buying high-profile league players per se, I just think we need to find the right ones. A big name convert injects a lot of interest into the S14 and tests, and undoubtedly gets fans through the gates. The problems arise once the 'honeymoon period' is over and we all start to realise that Wendell, Lote, Matt, Nathan, Clinton and Timana really aren't that good at rugby.

Find more Ryan Crosses and less Wendell Sailors, that is the answer. A well-picked leaguie can do provincial rugby the world of good- its just that we haven't really seen one in NSW yet.

Who's Nathan? Blacklock? I think the Tahs paid SFA for him.

You'd want to hope so.

 

[Scotty]

Willie Carne ...... sheesh.....

I wouldn't be adverse to the poaching of Folau for the Reds though.

 

[hi-jinks]

That may be so but, by Christ, he could tackle.

Ryan went to Downlands at Toowoomba with Garrick Morgan before playing for Australian Schoolboys; Cross also played for Australian Schoolboys while he was at Waverley. Maybe there's a lesson here for rugby recruiters: check for some sort of rugby background when running the ruler over leaguies.

It doesn'r always work that rule. Exhibit A - Matt Rogers - yep, you guessed it - another former Aussie school rugby player - what a waste of cash he was.

 

[rugbywhisperer]

All very great playes, but I, being a suspicious person can't help but feel that Rogers and Tahu both had an idea their body was suspect and the ARU deal was a superannuation plan they just couldn't get at league.
Tuquiri has given OK service but is now just a bonnet ornament.
Nathan Grey gave great service and I would have liked to see him continue but our depth of three quarters at that time just eliminated him.
As I have said before, if they aren't prepared to come over and play first and prove themselves like everyone else before they get the ARU golden cuff links, then we shouldn't be paying the big money.
To come over with a clause in the agreement to play test rugby is a sham on the ARU and an insult to all rugby players.

 

[spectator]

So how many people other than the ARU seem to think Lote and Timana are a waste of money - I think all but the ARU.
Enough, lets get back to growing our own.
If a league player wants to convert, please by all means but lets NOT buy them - let them prove themselves worthy first of all

Convert is the key word and why these guys are even in the mix. They excited league crowds and the ARU wants to get those excited followers across. Is that such a bad thing?