Kurtley to Melbourne?

[fatprop]

Hickey said the Waratahs simply could not compete with the Rebels' offer, which would allow Beale to earn up to $1 million a year when his salary is combined with Test-match payments, ARU top-ups and third-party deals.

''We're about trying to build a squad here, it's not about any one individual player, it's about being financially responsible, and we've got a salary cap that we need to operate in, so that's the playing field that we work on,'' Hickey said.

''You'd have to talk to Kurtley's management exactly about what the offer was; we're not privy to that. We just say that we need to be financially responsible.

All who play Fantasy rugby know the problem ..............................

 

[TOCC]

In your quoted article there is says that the Tahs just couldn't compete with the money on offer from the Rebels, however later in the article Hickey is quoted as saying he no idea how much the deal actually was...


Rod Maqueen is disputing the value of the contract been thrown about by the NSW press

"The speculation about the dollars offered to Kurtley has been grossly over-rated.

"In discussions with Kurtley, it's been obvious that he's coming to us for the right reasons.

"He wants to fulfil ambitions on the field and off the field, one of which is working closely with the indigenous community - and that sits well with our culture."

 

[fatprop]

Maqueen disputes the dollar amount, not that he will be earning plenty.

It may be only $800,000 instead of the purported $1,000,0000, that would be deemed grossly exaggerated too, but still plenty

Maqueen always suggests everyone at the rebels has come for the "right reasons"

That maybe so, but I will bet you that a key reasons for a starting player at another winning team to move is $$$.

Beale deserves as much as he can get, but it is bullocks to think someone would move cities, leave friends and family for the same or less.

 

[TOCC]

I fully understand how a NSW fan would be of that opinion

 

[mark_s]

The reality is that the media reporting of such things is so poor and varied it always allows both NSW rugby and Macqueen to say things that are both true provided they keep their statements vague enough, which both are obviously doing.

Back to the issue at hand –I am still devastated. I appreciate there is an upside in the fact that he is not being lost completely to Aus rugby but I have really enjoyed watch him play and develop after the last 4 years for the tahs and he is one of those players who gets the fans pulse racing with his play. What’s worse, it feels like we are losing him just as he is about to enter his prime and we have no immediate replacements. The rebels has stolen a diamond from my crown jewels and I am pretty pissed about it. Can’t wait for April 30.

 

[Joe Blow]

It's a good move for Kurtley and Rod McQueen will guide him through the next couple of levels in his development.

That he has decided to commit to union is a great thing in itself.

 

[Jets]

I would have thought that Kurtley may have seen more leadership potential at the Rebels rather than the Tah's. Also he might enjoy the Melbourne lifestye.

 

[fatprop]

some serious vitriol from grumbles

Here's a real side-splitter: How do you spell 'culture' in Melbourne? C-a-s-h
Greg Growden
April 18, 2011

The Super Rugby scene has suddenly become a barrel of laughs. The first half of the Eden Park match on Saturday night was like watching an old TV episode of Batman, with ''Crash'', ''Bang'' and ''Kapow'' screaming across the screen every time a Waratah fell over, missed a tackle or knocked himself out.

A few hours later came a marvellous moment of mirth when Digby Ioane performed ''the Dancing Crab'' after scoring an exceptional try for the Reds in an extraordinary match at Suncorp Stadium. Ioane should be fast-tracked into the Australian Olympic Games gymnastics team after that acrobatic effort.

Nonetheless, the most side-splitting moment came when Rebels officials tried to hoodwink all by arguing the reason Kurtley Beale was leaving the Waratahs for Melbourne next season was related to culture, not cash. The Rebels clearly aim to make their organisation sound like the world's most enviable rugby outfit, and their agenda revolves around pushing the line: ''It's not about money … It's the pursuit of excellence.''

Who are they kidding? Next the Rebels will try to tell us the Yarra is more picturesque than the Hawkesbury, the Narrabeen surf break has nothing on St Kilda beach, and the Easter Bunny - alive, well and running the club gym - has begun a course during which all their players on a pittance discover how to be community leaders.

On top of that, the Rebels argue they are not being bolstered by lucrative third-party agreements from the Melbourne business community. Funny that, because certain Rebels players remember a different line being thrown at them when they were being lured to the club, with assurances of being ''set up for life after football''. And all this after those with an understanding of the Beale move explained that the Rebels deal was ''substantially higher'' than what NSW could have offered. Even the Waratahs know they have been caught short in the secretive world of third-party deals.

At least some sanity emerged when Reds coach Ewen McKenzie, who was heavily involved in securing Beale for the Waratahs from St Joseph's College five years, gave his thoughts on the RuggaMatrix podcast. McKenzie said Beale had taken a ''rugby risk'' going to the Rebels. He also had never believed that Beale would leave the Waratahs. ''Why would he? He was a player in the most consistent team in Australian rugby over the past five or six years. It can only be for a financial reason,'' McKenzie said.

''There is also a lot of certainty at the Waratahs. I know NSW have done a lot of work for Kurtley, being his mentor through some difficult times. They'll be bitterly disappointed that he has gone, and it will stick in their craw because they would have believed he would stick with them. Then they get a phone call out of the blue saying he's going … that would have been very tough.''

The Rebels' pursuit of James O'Connor also comes with a warning. ''I've already seen this happen before with the Western Force. [Drew] Mitchell goes there. [Matt] Giteau goes there. [Sponsor] Firepower falls over. Mitchell leaves. Giteau leaves. So you have to look at the total environment, and its impact over time,'' McKenzie said.

Secondly, when high-profile players are signed to a province, other players must make way, and according to McKenzie, their departure can badly affect team culture, through a loss of personality and character within the group.

McKenzie does know something about culture. A positive winning culture. Twenty-four hours after the Rebels' Rod Macqueen described his team as a ''coach's nightmare'' when they lost their way against the Highlanders, the Reds were having the time of their lives making fun of the Bulls. The happiness of the Australian conference leaders was infectious. It is so clear they are unified and playing for each other.

And which Australian province has the lowest salary bill? The Reds.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...bourne-cash-20110417-1djqw.html#ixzz1JoyXTjD5

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Wipe away those crocodile tears Greg. That just sounds like good old fashioned Melbourne bashing and interstate petty jealousy to me.

 

[Viking]

the reds have the lowest salary bill? im surprised but happy about that, i hope they dont loose any players with the salary cap.

 

[MrTimms]

Not really a surprise, most of the big names at the reds have only come on last year.

think back to the beginning of 2010 and there was talk of a back line with some potential but a inexperienced forward pack full of no names.

Contract time is going to be a bitch...

 

[Slim 293]

Wipe away those crocodile tears Greg. That just sounds like good old fashioned Melbourne bashing and interstate petty jealousy to me.

His comparisons are just flimsy...

It's like saying Sydney culture is better than New York because the surf is better...

 

[James Buchanan]

I was scrolling down and was just about to say - maybe Beale wants to play at 10, and who better to convert a fullback into a world class 5/8 than Macqueen?

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...ale-to-melbourne/story-e6frg7o6-1226041189902

Beale said the Rebels were looking at playing him at five-eighth or inside centre.

"There are a lot of good outside backs down there," Beale said. "For me to concentrate on different aspects of my game at 10 and 12 over the next couple of years, I'll be able to do that.

Sounds like this might be closer to the truth than anyone might have expected. As I have mentioned in another thread, an important consideration is where Beale himself wanted to play. Contrary to some beliefs, he'd have to have realised that he had between buckleys and no chance of securing the long term 10 jumper at the Tahs as long as Barnes was there and healthy.

 

[maxdacat]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...ale-to-melbourne/story-e6frg7o6-1226041189902



Sounds like this might be closer to the truth than anyone might have expected. As I have mentioned in another thread, an important consideration is where Beale himself wanted to play. Contrary to some beliefs, he'd have to have realised that he had between buckleys and no chance of securing the long term 10 jumper at the Tahs as long as Barnes was there and healthy.

money aside is it really a good idea that his position is so unclear? Is it a good thing that for both super sides he is going to be playing 5/8 or centre when he is the wallabies first choice fullback?

 

[Ash]

Not only that, but in my view he is a way better fullback than 5/8. He just doesn't have the vision for a wide-passing game as a 5/8, but seems to excel when given the bit of extra room from fullback.

 

[TOCC]

Who knows, maybe with a bit more hands on and in your face defence at 5/8 he might develop into a even better fullback, considering his age, there cant be much wrong with KB (Kurtley Beale) getting his hands on the ball more.