Player contracts

[Guest]

I was also of that opinion Fred. The only explanation I can think of is that they're confident that our centre options can perform this year, be it SKD, Williamson, Blair or Graham. Who knows, maybe they are confident in the youngsters. I guess they are better judges due to actually seeing the players day to day.

[Guest]

All three sound very promising the way you've described them footy. Is Skosana the one POS described as "exceptional" way back when?

I am not totally sure if Peter O'Sullivan was referring to Skosana as the "exceptional" one but you can be confident that he will perform. He is apparently very, very good and was one of South Africa's best players in his age group alongside JP Du Plessis.

[Guest]

Its good that he is signing and looking for promising young talent.

I have also heard that they have signed some of the best young talent from north of the border, including a huge junior kid prop that has massive wraps on him. But these kids wont be ready for first grade for several years - if they get that far even.

But doesnt he or the club need to find a centre for the interim ie next couple of years?

Seriously, skd is a joke. Also, Graham is really a winger.

Most good clubs try to fix the holes in their squads. Our recruitment people seem to like the holes to stay there and hence we sink. Although I am a good swimmer, I dont like sinking and drowning.

About the huge junior prop, it'd be between Brandon Tago and Nick Dorante. They both have pretty big wraps within the club but are still very young to gauge whether they will play NRL in the future. One to keep a close eye on is Keanu Te Kiri. He has impressed many at the club including Brian Smith and will be looking to have a good season in SG Ball and move up into NYC mid-year.

From what I can gather, the coaching staff is very comfortable with their centre options for next season with the view to competing this year and being serious contenders in 2011. Brian Smith has placed a lot of faith in the youngsters at the club and is looking to move Ryan Williamson, Cheyse Blair and BJ Leilua into the NRL this year in the centres if need be. But Smith has stressed that this year will be a building year for next season where he hopes we will peak with all our young guns moving up into first grade.

[Guest]

Im hearing good things about Kane Linnett as a centre.Apparently the quickest at the club this year.

[theGman]

SAfrican recruits

[QUOTE=footy;39782]New signings for the NYC squad:

Chris Thomas - Signed from the Canterbury Bulldogs SG Ball winning side last year. He was also a part of our SG Ball winning side in 2008 so has achieved the rare feat of winning two SG Ball premierships. Good player. Plays in the 2nd row and is quite strong.

Watson Namoa - This kid can play. From what I know, he was at the Bulldogs playing NYC for 3 years. He is a backrower and is very, very strong. Ask any Bulldogs supporter that follows their juniors and they'll have a big wrap on this kid. Played Premier League at the age of 17.

Brian Skosana - Another of Peter O'Sullivan's signings from South Africa. He is very elusive and has great speed. Made the South African Schools Rugby side last year and was touted as a future Springbok. He is a winger and seems to be a great signing alongside JP Du Plessis.[/QUOTE]

Saw them hanging out at Westfields Bondi Junction at lunchtime today.
Was very impressed with the athletic physique of Skosana. This coloured speedstar looks the goods. Same build as the current Springbok winger/fullback whose name escapes me.
Can't wait to see him and JP play tomorrow hopefully.

[Kramer]

[[Saw them hanging out at Westfields Bondi Junction at lunchtime today.
Was very impressed with the athletic physique of Skosana. This coloured speedstar looks the goods. Same build as the current Springbok winger/fullback whose name escapes me.
Can't wait to see him and JP play tomorrow hopefully.[/QUOTE]

Brian Habana, scored two tries against the Waratahs last night.

[theGman]

[[Saw them hanging out at Westfields Bondi Junction at lunchtime today.
Was very impressed with the athletic physique of Skosana. This coloured speedstar looks the goods. Same build as the current Springbok winger/fullback whose name escapes me.
Can't wait to see him and JP play tomorrow hopefully.

Brian Habana, scored two tries against the Waratahs last night.[/QUOTE]

That's him. Thanks Kramer.

Spoke to POS at the game y'day.
-JP played Sat night and sustained a minor hand injury.
-Holding Brian Habana back because he's still learning the game.

I also asked Peter about Craig Barry(for those who don't know, he's another SAfrican on his radar). Unfortunately he's recovering from shoulder surgery and at this stage won't be heading Down Under until 2011.

[TheLoneRooster]

Thanks for that news on JP and Habana from POS theGman. How these guys go is of immense interest to me because it was certainly a left field idea to me when I heard about POS going over to South Africa to look for young players.

[theGman]

Thanks for that news on JP and Habana from POS theGman. How these guys go is of immense interest to me because it was certainly a left field idea to me when I heard about POS going over to South Africa to look for young players.

Likewise LR. Well i was told y'day there are another two in mind excluding C.Barry.
The "SAfrican experiment" is worth it. We've got nothing to lose but lots to gain especially if one or two players impress, enjoy the lifestyle and decide to stay. It might encourage other to come across. I reckon though that JP will be the ice-test for our club and others!

[Guest]

Likewise LR. Well i was told y'day there are another two in mind excluding C.Barry.
The "SAfrican experiment" is worth it. We've got nothing to lose but lots to gain especially if one or two players impress, enjoy the lifestyle and decide to stay. It might encourage other to come across. I reckon though that JP will be the ice-test for our club and others!

Nothing to lose?

If we spend time and money on players who don't work out then we've lost

And Union players from anywhere are a massive risk

[Billy Gunn]

Nothing to lose?

If we spend time and money on players who don't work out then we've lost

And Union players from anywhere are a massive risk

It's an untapped market, I can see more upside than downside to this. It makes little difference where you bring players from IMO it's what you do with them when they arrive.

[Guest]

Nothing to lose?

If we spend time and money on players who don't work out then we've lost

And Union players from anywhere are a massive risk

Four of our last rugby recruits were Ryan Cross,Brett Papworth,Russell Fairfax and Johnny Brass.On success percentages I can hardly see a risk...

[supermario]

and papworth would have been half decent if it was not for his injuries!

[Guest]

and papworth would have been half decent if it was not for his injuries!

Touch`e Muzz.Remember him carving up the opposition in the league sevens that first year he was with us.

[Guest]

Four of our last rugby recruits were Ryan Cross,Brett Papworth,Russell Fairfax and Johnny Brass.On success percentages I can hardly see a risk...

Michael Cook, Garrick Morhan, Tony D'arcy