Rumour Mill

ror · Post by **ror** » October 29th, 2012, 4:23 pm

There are serious talks going on with Top Notch second row. Obviously I cant say who,but hopefully we can get this guy across the line...

blockhead · Post by **blockhead** » October 29th, 2012, 4:29 pm

Is it POC?
I'd bet he would love to win another HEC!

simonokeeffe · Post by **simonokeeffe** » October 29th, 2012, 4:29 pm

for immediate arrival or for when?
and what info does bails have on this?

ror · Post by **ror** » October 29th, 2012, 4:33 pm

Not Immediate....

johng · Post by **johng** » October 29th, 2012, 4:40 pm

ror wrote:Not Immediate....

Big Bad Brad to take a mid season Sabbatical from the Highlanders.

[Jackass] · Post by **[Jackass]** » October 29th, 2012, 4:54 pm

Really makes you wonder why we couldn't just re-sign Hines on a 2 year deal, rather than be in the shopping market for aging legends come the business end of the season...

My monies on Matfield.

simonokeeffe · Post by **simonokeeffe** » October 29th, 2012, 5:53 pm

new year in time for HC rounds 5 & 6 or for next season?

artaneboy · Post by **artaneboy** » October 29th, 2012, 6:38 pm

blockhead wrote:Is it POC?
I'd bet he would love to win another HEC!

You are naughty!
Agree totally on Hines- what were thy thinking?

bails · Post by **bails** » October 29th, 2012, 6:38 pm

Folks, I have heard nothing about a world class second row coming to Leinster. In fact it is hard to think of a world class second row !

Mrs B spoke with Mrs Brad Thorn over the weekend, and Brad certainly won't be back. They have only just settled in Dunedin and Mrs T has just been appointed President of her local Flower Guild. She explained that this would take a lot of her time and she couldn't countenance leaving the Flower Guild mid Presidency

Brad has given some of his time to the local scout troop, and he expects to mix his Rugby with camping and outdoor activities. Furthermore next year sees a huge Jamboree in Otago and Brad is mad keen to be a part of it.

So no Brad Thorn again

janeymac08 · Post by **janeymac08** » October 29th, 2012, 7:06 pm

Nathan Sharpe - think he is free in a month or so (after the Wallabies tour Europe).

blaker · Post by **blaker** » October 29th, 2012, 7:17 pm

Was "comfortable" with Brad given Leo and Browne's injury and Sykes' issues. Would not support this move however at all. Not saying its an area we are not weak in, not saying it wouldn't be a benefit but this is ......unseemly. Back what you have. Logical if exaggerated conclusion to the thought process - lets get a whole new team in. Nah, don't support this if true

wixfjord · Post by **wixfjord** » October 29th, 2012, 7:23 pm

blaker wrote:Was "comfortable" with Brad given Leo and Browne's injury and Sykes' issues. Would not support this move however at all. Not saying its an area we are not weak in, not saying it wouldn't be a benefit but this is ......unseemly. Back what you have. Logical if exaggerated conclusion to the thought process - lets get a whole new team in. Nah, don't support this if true

Strange comment. Isn't the whole reason for NIQ players to improve Irish provinces in areas they're weak. Leo is coming to the end, Browne is good but limited, and we've a few young Irish (Denton, Toner, Flanagan) and possible Irish (Roux) SRs who need someone beside them. It's the exact signing we should be looking to make tbh.

Was the signing of Rocky, Isa or Felipe unseemly?!

wixfjord · Post by **wixfjord** » October 29th, 2012, 7:25 pm

Oh, and please sweet baby jesus let it be Andres Bekker or Whitelock.

blaker · Post by **blaker** » October 29th, 2012, 7:38 pm

No not at all, my issue isn't with the possibility of a NIQ, it's the mid/late season aspect. Goodman/Bent, both NIQ, both arriving late but signed and in place well in advance of the start so I don't mind. This is obviously within the rules and I fully accept the rationale and the argument of strengthening where possible. I'm just thinking of Browne/Toner who will again (if this is true) be sidelined by a late arrival. If its a 2 year deal I'd have less of an issue but a short term, non injury cover, late season signing, regardless of nationality just doesn't sit right with me

Fully accept the opposing view, just my 2 cents

johng · Post by **johng** » October 29th, 2012, 8:18 pm

wixfjord wrote:Oh, and please sweet baby jesus let it be Andres Bekker or Whitelock.

Someone who could "balance" a scrum beside Toner. Opposing teams would just give us the ball rather than bother with a lineout.

[Jackass] · Post by **[Jackass]** » October 29th, 2012, 8:21 pm

We provide the bulk of the Irish team, brought in two "new" Irish players, one at least of starting quality (whatever a persons stance on the granny rule and naturalisation) and we only have 4 NIQ players, two of which are project players (Roux and Goodman could become IQ if good enough) and we've never really enjoyed the benefits of bringing in an established world class player for a long priod, like a Pienaar, Afoa, Botha, Howlett etc., any top class NIQ players we've had long term were either not world class stars when we signed them or most made their name at Leinster, mostly down to excellent recruitment and occasionally benefitting Ireland, with the exception of short term signings like Thorn or Elsom for example...

I would love, and think we deserve, a world class lock that we could get 4 or 5 seasons out of.

ceemec · Post by **ceemec** » October 29th, 2012, 8:43 pm

wixfjord wrote:Oh, and please sweet baby jesus let it be Andres Bekker or Whitelock.

Whitelock signed a new contract with the NZRU last week. For the record, it was announced along with new contracts for Ali Williams and Anthony Boric so they can be ruled out of the equation also. If I was to make a wild guess, given the way that it has been phrased i.e. the move will not be immediate, I'd put my money on Tom Donnelly. He's in Japan on a one season deal which will end in March. He hasn't signed up with anyone in NZ for next year either, as far as I am aware. He's a big bloke at 6'7" and almost 18 stone. I'm not sure he fills the criteria of being top notch though given he only has a handful of caps and couldn't get his game for the Crusaders this season.

I'd much rather Bekker. I'm not sure of his contract status but I wouldn't be surprised if he was looking for a move abroad. He has had a couple of rough years there through injury and his personal life.

simonokeeffe · Post by **simonokeeffe** » October 29th, 2012, 8:45 pm

Dannie Roussow or Dan Vickerman?

ceemec · Post by **ceemec** » October 29th, 2012, 8:49 pm

simonokeeffe wrote:Dannie Roussow or Dan Vickerman?

Signed for Toulon recently and retired respectively.

wixfjord · Post by **wixfjord** » October 29th, 2012, 9:02 pm

ceemec wrote:
wixfjord wrote:Oh, and please sweet baby jesus let it be Andres Bekker or Whitelock.
Whitelock signed a new contract with the NZRU last week. For the record, it was announced along with new contracts for Ali Williams and Anthony Boric so they can be ruled out of the equation also. If I was to make a wild guess, given the way that it has been phrased i.e. the move will not be immediate, I'd put my money on Tom Donnelly. He's in Japan on a one season deal which will end in March. He hasn't signed up with anyone in NZ for next year either, as far as I am aware. He's a big bloke at 6'7" and almost 18 stone. I'm not sure he fills the criteria of being top notch though given he only has a handful of caps and couldn't get his game for the Crusaders this season.

I'd much rather Bekker. I'm not sure of his contract status but I wouldn't be surprised if he was looking for a move abroad. He has had a couple of rough years there through injury and his personal life.

That's probably not a bad thing, both overrated imo.

Any other names to throw into the mix? Horwill? Is he 'top quality''?

Also, I presume this is for end of the season rather than mid season?

Gwan ror, give us another tidbit!!

Babbling 'brook

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