Is Sonny Bill coming or what

[Guest]

Been a while since we had an SBW thread. I figure it's about time.

So is he coming or what? If the deal has been done why not announce it? What is there to be gained for anyone by holding back on the announcement?

Or is at all still up in the air. Which would be fairly bizarre at this late stage.

[dj_sta]

He is coming. He has signed, wont be announced till after his Japanese gig in Jan as NRL wouldnt allow it otherwise.

[Guest]

Wooot!

[Guest]

He is coming. He has signed, wont be announced till after his Japanese gig in Jan as NRL wouldnt allow it otherwise.

I don't see what the Japan rugby gig has to do with it. Given that he is not currently playing in the NRL I don't see how the NRL could stop him playing rugby until his NRL contract begins.

[melon....]

I don't see what the Japan rugby gig has to do with it. Given that he is not currently playing in the NRL I don't see how the NRL could stop him playing rugby until his NRL contract begins.

Ox, I think Dj meant that he isnt allowed to play NRL for anyone until teh 2013 season starts. That was a condition of his release from the Dogs. He can play Rugger all he wants.

He will play until season kicks off, probably miss the opening round or 2 due to the Jap scedule more than the stbullshit suggestion that we wouldnt want to give the Dogs a sold out Home game.

He wont be pre seasontraining with Easts. He will just stroll in. Like a merecenary. And do his thing.

[Guest]

I think after the super15 final which is this week he'll announce his comming

[Cockadoodledoo]

Ox, I think Dj meant that he isnt allowed to play NRL for anyone until teh 2013 season starts. That was a condition of his release from the Dogs. He can play Rugger all he wants.

He will play until season kicks off, probably miss the opening round or 2 due to the Jap scedule more than the stbullshit suggestion that we wouldnt want to give the Dogs a sold out Home game.

He wont be pre seasontraining with Easts. He will just stroll in. Like a merecenary. And do his thing.

The Japan Rugby regulation season finishes on January 6. If his side makes the playoffs you could add 4 weeks max to that.. All over three weeks before the NRL begins.

[Guest]

Ox, I think Dj meant that he isnt allowed to play NRL for anyone until teh 2013 season starts. That was a condition of his release from the Dogs. He can play Rugger all he wants.

He will play until season kicks off, probably miss the opening round or 2 due to the Jap scedule more than the stbullshit suggestion that we wouldnt want to give the Dogs a sold out Home game.

He wont be pre seasontraining with Easts. He will just stroll in. Like a merecenary. And do his thing.

I understand he can't play NRL until next year. My question is if if the deal has been done why not announce it now. DJ fella is suggesting its because he the NRL wouldn't allow him to go to Japan if the deal is announced now which doesn't make sense to me.

Surely if a deal has been done it would be in everyone's best interests to announce it now. Makes me suspicious that his people are up to some jiggery pokery and leaving their options open and he is still no certainty to come to us. Which would be disastrous if he doesn't after screwing us round for so long.

[melon....]

I understand he can't play NRL until next year. My question is if if the deal has been done why not announce it now. DJ fella is suggesting its because he the NRL wouldn't allow him to go to Japan if the deal is announced now which doesn't make sense to me.

Surely if a deal has been done it would be in everyone's best interests to announce it now. Makes me suspicious that his people are up to some jiggery pokery and leaving their options open and he is still no certainty to come to us. Which would be disastrous if he doesn't after screwing us round for so long.

Why arent they announcing it??? Who knows. Here's a suggestion - SBW may be unsigned.

If the deal falls through we can blame the same people responsible for the mess we were in with Bennett and the mess we are in now....the big wigs.

If we **** this deal up, some people high up would have to fall on their own swords. i cant believe how we are a laughing stock. Every other club gets their man under the radar and runs him out when signed. We have a bunch of ego maniacs who like to play the idea out in the media and see what reactions we can get, See wta sposors think, gauge "opportunity", in the meantime all and sundry are smashing our arses on and off the field.

[melon....]

The Japan Rugby regulation season finishes on January 6. If his side makes the playoffs you could add 4 weeks max to that.. All over three weeks before the NRL begins.

Im not fussed. Im more concerned with our management having teh smarts to actually sign him. Its anothrf uckup waitin to happen like Bennett.

[Guest]

As i said his playing in the chiefs vs sharks super15 grand final this week,,,,
He'll announce it after that

[Guest]

As i said his playing in the chiefs vs sharks super15 grand final this week,,,,
He'll announce it after that

But he has already announced he is leaving NZ rugby. I don't see why he would need to wait til after his rugby GF to announce he is coming to us.

Is this something you know or are you just guessing?

[elo]

As i said his playing in the chiefs vs sharks super15 grand final this week,,,,
He'll announce it after that

Well that gives yourself one hell of an out, in other words he won't be announcing it this week but any time after that is possible, what a scoop.

If there's no announcement whilst he's over here during the Four Nations (mid-late August) there won't be announcement until his Japanese rugby contract is close to expiring.

[dj_sta]

I could be wrong, but I think it is coz of the Jap gig.

But I know for a fact that he is coming for sure, think about it. Usually when we are "linked" to a player none of our current/past/future players mention anything.

This time we have had Jason Ryles (past), Minichiello, SKD, JWH (current) and James Maloney (future) all mention they are looking forward to playing alongside SBW.

I know the players dont know everything but I beleive they would know more than some of us.

[GC6]

It won't be released until at least a month from now. That way all chiefs commitments will be over and the regular nrl season will be complete.