Sydney Roosters release Brad Takairangi

[Bansai Pipeline]

Sonny-Bill is a one year proposition. Surely everyone knows that.

[Guest]

My fear is we lose Taka, obviously still shopping around Cherro/Symonds, SBW stays for one year, LOD plays his average of 10 games a year, through in an injury for good measure..... My maths by start of 2014 that's a four/five player (backrow) turn around... . Doesn't bode well for round 1 in my eyes with so much coming and going...

[Bansai Pipeline]

I reckon we're going to get towelled up in round 1 for sure.

Going to take this squad a while to gel.

[Guest]

^^^^^^^ now now

[The Brain]

I reckon we're going to get towelled up in round 1 for sure.

Going to take this squad a while to gel.

dont know about round one but it will take a bit for sure

[John Corey]

I think it is a disgraceful decision. Letting a young guy go, with immense attacking ability, in order to buy a 32 yr old warhorse who has absolutely no discipline. We will regret this next year when SBW is off playing union.
Defence can be taught. Taka has obviously built his game on his attacking skills and needs to work on defence. But u don't give a guy like him away to sign LOD.
This really pissed me off. More than snakes.

[SConcierge]

I think it is a disgraceful decision. Letting a young guy go, with immense attacking ability, in order to buy a 32 yr old warhorse who has absolutely no discipline. We will regret this next year when SBW is off playing union.
Defence can be taught. Taka has obviously built his game on his attacking skills and needs to work on defence. But u don't give a guy like him away to sign LOD.
This really pissed me off. More than snakes.

spot on is a dumb dumb move

[The Axe]

This is where I need to stand up for those who toiled at this club for the past few years, bringing together a core group of young players. Some of the B squad or those who haven't emerged as fast or where we have surplus have been released for the sake of buying a 32 year old hardman who gives away penalties for ill discipline. Great if it works but...

Additionally he is recovering from a shoulder injury (I believe) and as an older person who has recovered from shoulder injury I can vouch that it takes time to recover and to regain confidence for contact sport. Even longer for a 32 y.o than a mid 20 y.o.

Did we not learn lesons from players released for Willie Wanker and O'Melley? Sadly, we seem to have an all or nothing policy for 2013 and little vision for 2014 and beyond...short sighted strategy...I hope those in charge are right with this....proceed with caution...

I have trust in our new management squad but I wonder whether we have an experienced elder statesman who has experienced all this and can act as a mentor to advise pros and cons of such decisions. Gus Gould is fighting demons at Penriff...

[Guest]

Just throwing this out there but....is it possible that with the ARLC cap increase still to be rubber stamped, and we expected it to be finalised weeks ago, that we may have a little trouble with the cap considering our most recent signing? I'm sure we aren't the only ones sweating on it but.....

[Guest]

We release a bloke who would've been flat out making the bench for rd.1 and now we are going to be lapped by Souffs ?

Geez ....

BJ was a much bigger loss.

[Guest]

I think it is a disgraceful decision. Letting a young guy go, with immense attacking ability, in order to buy a 32 yr old warhorse who has absolutely no discipline. We will regret this next year when SBW is off playing union.
Defence can be taught. Taka has obviously built his game on his attacking skills and needs to work on defence. But u don't give a guy like him away to sign LOD.
This really pissed me off. More than snakes.

+2 to this, snakes of all types sh*t me to tears.

Losing an obviously talented player also makes me question where we are heading.

[stsae]

I personally don't see the sky has fallen cos we have let a fringe first grader go.

Obviously he wasn't in the clubs long term plans otherwise he wouldn't have been allowed to look for another deal.

That's the reality of the situation. Good luck to him.

IF we happen to pick up pLOD the coach must see we have a deficiency in the pack. Someone experienced who is a hard arse and very fit and intense.

Penalties and injuries, everyone said that when Ryles arrived. He did a good job leading the pack. Still is at Melba.

I would rather us give penalties away terrorizing opposition packs and hurting other players than for flopping on tacklers and generally being lazy and dumb. The same shitty penalties we have become known for giving away for the best part of the last 7-8 years.

I hope the coach is thinking that way anyway.

[kakaruk]

Time will tell about taka a good ball playing forward without doubt.Could turn out to be a very good player.Defense can be taught and hes only a youngster.Beetson was a ball playing forward as well he also had a lot of mistakes in his game early on although he did hit the line a bit harder than taka and could stand and offload a bit better but taka is young and this aspect of his game will impriove as he beefs up a bit.Reminds me a bit of a young beetson does taka.Who knows what will happen with him this could very well come back to bite us up the track though.

[Guest]

We release a bloke who would've been flat out making the bench for rd.1 and now we are going to be lapped by Souffs ?

Geez ....

BJ was a much bigger loss.

I agree - I never understood the hype with him. Sure he did a few freakish things but in a team which was by and large rubbish so anyone who wasnt dropping the ball and at least looking threatening was a breath of fresh air. I might also point out that he is no 'spring chicken'. he will be turning 24 this year - he is only a year younger than aubusson and guerra and look how much further along they are/how much more they have achieved to date. Also agree on your BJ point - I am and always will be a big fan. While I can understand why the club let him go, he is supremely talented and will go on to big things. Imo, Gagai and Leilua is one of the most lethal centre combinations going around. Dont underestimate how much strike power they will give newcastle this year...

Ultimately if no Taka = LOD, Im all for it. I also see more potential in Cherro and Symonds but I dont think too many on here are willing to agree...

[Vasco]

Taka had talent but was woeful in defence.

I don't mind Arona, reckon he has something to offer with ball in hand too.

As for needing time to jell, that was always going to be the case.

The players we have picked up were must-haves anyway.