Baptiste Official

[Waylander]

Just in from the Club:

Kurt Baptiste signs with Roosters for season 2018
The Sydney Roosters have today announced the signing of hooker Kurt Baptiste for the remainder of the 2018 season.

Baptiste has joined the Club with immediate effect on a one-year deal which sees the 26-year-old make his return to the NRL after being granted a release by English rugby league club Leigh Centurions.

Sydney Roosters recruitment manager Adam Hartigan said: “We’re pleased to have secured Kurt’s services for this season. Kurt is strong and athletic, and he will add some great depth to our squad as a back-up hooker to Jake Friend.”

Baptiste has played 61 NRL matches to date with the Brisbane Broncos (2011-12) and Canberra Raiders (2014-17), and in the international arena, he has represented Papua New Guinea (2016-17).

[hackthefortress]

Swear to God if he replaces Radley on the bench I am going to start questioning the TIT sentiment. I've defended the mans decisions to date... but Radley is so ****ing solid. In 2017 he played an 80 minute game where he gave impeccable service and hit as hard as Cordner... last week his introduction to the game was a turning point for us. He made a run in his first set on the field from dummy half that set us up for the rest of the set, culminating in him choosing the short side with Tedesco instead of the open side with our 6 & 7 lined up... he chose that because he played what he saw and it lead to an overlap and a try.

In one set he moved the opposition numbers around, recognised it and capitalised on it. Thats more than Friend has done in a few years. Sure... the bloke can tackle himself into a hospital bed... doesn't make him a good dummy half. Makes him a good defender.

Anyway, point is... Radley needs more game time, I want to see how good he can be because above everything else... he appears to be a SMART dummy half. Which is something we have been missing for nearly a decade.

[Dummy half]

Totally agree, we need props not hookers, are they just going for anything in desperation?

[Moose]

Totally agree, we need props not hookers, are they just going for anything in desperation?

we only had radley as a reserve hooker, nobody after him there was nobody, we needed another

[Steakface]

Totally agree, we need props not hookers, are they just going for anything in desperation?

Maybe they know something we don't, like a severe ongoing injury that Jake is playing through that could bring him down at any time.

That would certainly explain our Captain's insipid performance on the weekend anyhow + the need to spend money on a first grade hooker.

Baptiste is good. He's no Kouparitsis, dont worry about that.

[Guest]

We have had some terrible back up hookers over the past decade. We seem to like hack players without pace or skill.I just don't know enough about Baptiste to have an opinion.

[Danish]

Seems an odd signing on Baptistes's part, given if everyone is healthy he would have zero chance of playing first grade.

The Roosters ain't exactly a happy place for back up hookers either, given Friendy's propensity to chase anyone who might threaten his stranglehold on the no.9 jersey out of the club

[Guest]

Why does Friend insist on being an 80 minute player most of the time and why does the coach allow it. He needs a spell before half time. That much is obvious.

[eddie]

What is extremely annoying is the fact we can't play any hooker in reserve grade, whether it's a back-up that needs game time, or an out of form regular that needs a rocket up 'em.
We have a non-contracted player with a mortgage on the position.
I'm glad Wyong has decided to piss off back to the central coast comp.

[Danish]

Why does Friend insist on being an 80 minute player most of the time and why does the coach allow it. He needs a spell before half time. That much is obvious.

The limits on interchange down to 8 means rotating a in each half is not practical.

Rotating props = 4 changes
Rotating lock = 2 changes
Rotating hooker = 1

Thats 7 interchanges used up, with 1 left in case of injury.

If you want to rotate hooker each half, then you need your entire backrow to play 80 mins, and that will either kill your go forward at the end of each half as they get tired.... or alternatively cost you in the opening 20 of each half since an 80 min backrower is probably going to be giving away some size/strength in the name of aerobic fitness.

Having a true 80 min hooker is a massive advantage in today's NRL

[The Skeez]

He has just come on to the squad as a passing coach for Friend. Watch for excellent service from now on

[Guest]

The limits on interchange down to 8 means rotating a in each half is not practical.

Rotating props = 4 changes
Rotating lock = 2 changes
Rotating hooker = 1

Thats 7 interchanges used up, with 1 left in case of injury.

If you want to rotate hooker each half, then you need your entire backrow to play 80 mins, and that will either kill your go forward at the end of each half as they get tired.... or alternatively cost you in the opening 20 of each half since an 80 min backrower is probably going to be giving away some size/strength in the name of aerobic fitness.

Having a true 80 min hooker is a massive advantage in today's NRL

Thanks. That makes sense. It seems the only thing we are missing then is a guy who is good to play dummy half at a high level for 80 minutes.

[HEGtheROOSTER]

Baptiste is a very good footballer, and smart...

That said, I hope Radley gets first dibs at the bench spot.

Jake was going good a few years ago, but as I’ve said previously, aside from 64 tackles, half a dozen forward passes, a few ineffective kicks, and an uninspiring press conference each game, he offers very little any more. Unfortunately he’s very consistent....

[ism22]

Totally agree, we need props not hookers, are they just going for anything in desperation?

My guess is that with $750k left over we are able to sign minimum-wage salaries for anybody suitable who will add depth to our side.

I like this approach because it increases competition for starting spots and allows us to cover for injured players during crucial moments. Radley will continue to get his bench utility role so long as he performs better than Baptiste. I don,t support any policy of favouritism that prevents competition between players.

[bondi paul]

A interesting signing - since Trent has been with the club he has had a number of back up hookers who he has only used to the half way mark of the comp or less .