The Overseas Marquee - Have Australian S15 Franchises Utilised it well?

[thierry dusautoir]

Its a question has been on my mind all weekend after watching the Force Vs Waratahs Game. Are Australian S15 team really making the right choices in regard to the overseas marquee they are choosing? Not just position wise but also in regards to the player chosen. Waratahs where definitely in need of a halfback yet have ended up relegating much trumpeted signing Sarel Pretorious to the bench. I understand the reasons behind this decision however I wonder if Waratahs fans feel that the money could have been placed elsewhere?
I as a force fan personally feel that instead of breaking bank on a try-scoring winger that the Force after losing O'Connor should have invested there money in a an inside centre who could set up the backline threats already available (Cummins, Shepherd, Mafi ) and at the same time ease pressure on people like Ripia & Seymour. A Gordon d'Arcy type 12 perhaps, an old head who can lay the ball on or carry it well himself. I just feel surely this type of experience would have been a better fit given the circumstance.
So at this I place up for discussion what people of this forum think of the choices and way their team has chosen to us or not use the Overseas Marquee rule.

 

[qwerty51]

I think the Tahs got it right finally, I'm very happy with Pretorius. I expect him to be starting this week.

 

[tigerland12]

Gareth Delve and to a lesser extent Danny Cipriani at the Rebels have been good buys. Especially Gareth, I really hope he stays.

But I tend to agree, no side has really taken advantage of the Overseas Marquee. This goes for the whole of Super Rugby, with the Highlanders signing James Haskell the only current NH international running around.

 

[Bowside]

Daniel Braid was the best overseas player I reckon. He would have been cheap and he filled a hole between the end of crofty and the emergence of Robinson and Gill.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

Delve is an excellent acquisition. Does he have to leave at the end of the year?

 

[qwerty51]

Yes he's going to Toulon

 

[barbarian]

David Smith was a great buy for the Force, he was dynamite in the second half of 2011.

 

[Penguin]

Daniel Braid was the best overseas player I reckon. He would have been cheap and he filled a hole between the end of crofty and the emergence of Robinson and Gill.

Indeed! Braid did wonders for the rugby culture in his time at teh Reds & was seen to be sorely missed when his time was up. Fortunately Robinson & Gill have stepped up to the plate since.

 

[ChargerWA]

This goes for the whole of Super Rugby, with the Highlanders signing James Haskell the only current NH international running around.

Is Haskell even a marquee? I thought the whole marquee deal was another ARU rule imposed on our Super sides to help keep them uncompetitive. I didn't realise NZ and SA sides had the same rules?

I always through NH guys like Haskell and Michalak just came to the SH to prove they could make it.

 

[andyq]

From my time in RSA I didn't hear anything about the rules for overseas players in their Super sides... but I was living in Free State so most of what i hear was how every rugby talent / identity in South Africa was a Free Stater who ahd been lured away from the Cheetahs for money

 

[Blue]

From my time in RSA I didn't hear anything about the rules for overseas players in their Super sides... but I was living in Free State so most of what i hear was how every rugby talent / identity in South Africa was a Free Stater who ahd been lured away from the Cheetahs for money

Not far off the truth, that.

 

[waratahjesus]

I dontthink the signing of former All Black, Anesi can be overlooked in this thread. The crowds, the electricity, unicorns, the Easter bunny, he brought ut all.

 

[Braveheart81]

All the electricity of a AA battery.