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Post by Carnster on Jan 21, 2021 11:49:58 GMT
What colour are we expecting, mainly black again ? I liked the black kit. I think the players did to. I'm presuming it's just going to be a black version of what we currently have with white main stripe with maybe some red piping. That's my guess anyway for what it's worth. I'm not a fan of the home kit this year so can't see the away kit swaying me either. Unless it's totally different.
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Post by Carnster on Jan 19, 2021 11:34:29 GMT
It hasn’t been confirmed yet,or have I missed it ? Not yet officially. But widely reported from multiple sources.
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Patton
Jan 19, 2021 10:28:53 GMT
Post by Carnster on Jan 19, 2021 10:28:53 GMT
Dudson was a bad buy as well according to some. It’s all about how the players adapt. A new lease of life at a new club can work wonders. I admit that I was one of those that didn't rate Dudson. How wrong I was, thankfully. I've learned that it doesn't pay to judge players on their previous exploits, even if that's all you have to go off.
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Post by Carnster on Jan 19, 2021 9:24:15 GMT
How big is our squad now? It has to be the largest squad we've had in SL, and probably one of our best on paper. Can only be a good thing going forward. My first 17 would be:
1. Escare 2. Inu 3. Watkins 4. Sarge 5. Burgess 6. Brown 7. Tui 8. Mossop 9. Addy/Patton 10 Lussick 11. Lannon 12. Greenwood 13. Taylor
Bench: Livett Ackers Any number of second rowers that we have
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Post by Carnster on Jan 19, 2021 9:16:40 GMT
Not a fan myself, I’ve never seen anything in him. Always seems like he thinks he’s much better than he is.. Really hope he proves me wrong, great opportunity for him, and I think we’ll definitely need him over the season. I remember quite a few comments about Hastings that were very similar before he came to us. Not saying that Patton is the next Hastings or anything, but it's interesting to see how a change of club can be massive for some players. He's been endlessly messed about by a Warrington side for most of his pro career. Will be interesting to see how he adapts to a more secure environment. I'm a bit like you in so much as he hasn't set the world alight for me, but he's got obvious talent that just needs the right fit for him. Hopefully that's us.
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Post by Carnster on Jan 19, 2021 9:10:27 GMT
Good interview with Elijah Taylor on RDTV now. Looks like he's keen to renew acquaintances with Sebastine & Krisnan again . If he plays anything like he's done in the NRL I think he'll go really well for us Just watched that. I can't help thinking that he's going to be excellent for us. Experienced, focused, and with bags of ability. Future captain material possibly?
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Patton
Jan 17, 2021 21:17:53 GMT
Post by Carnster on Jan 17, 2021 21:17:53 GMT
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Post by Carnster on Jan 15, 2021 10:46:46 GMT
Just looked at Judasfield squad numbers They have Yates and Lawrence at 8 and 10, both loose forwards and 1 and 2 in last year's tackling count. They have a decent squad. It's not a squad where you'd say they will be challenging for the top spot, but it's a squad that should be getting into play-off spots. The big question is whether Watson as a manager can deliver under pressure. Looking at the clubs that have had a degree of success recently and their coaching stats: Ian Watson 49% av win over 5 years Adrian Lam 58% av win 2 years Kristian Woolf 67% av win over 1 year Steve Price 59% av win over 3 years Richard Agar 58% av win over 2 years Steve McNamarra 49% av win over 4 years Based of those stats his record is pretty good, comparable to McNamarra's, but to get into those top echelons of SL you need to be hitting over 50%. Looking at how successful Woolf was it's surprising that he only has a 67% win rate which shows how difficult it's going to be for any coach to break into that top four area. Not forgetting that the likes of Lam, Woolf, Price and Agar have access to better squads than Hudds. In all probability Hudds will be scrapping around the bottom of the play-offs like we will be come the end of the regular season. There's always a surprise package and there's always a good side that under performs every season. Hopefully we'll be the former and Hudds will be the latter.
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Post by Carnster on Jan 13, 2021 10:35:01 GMT
We shouldn't underestimate the importance of players re-signing. When players have less to worry about they play better and morale stays high. Even more important over the last year and going into this year with the uncertainty due to covid. Securing your employment for another year or two and securing your family for another year or two is huge for RL players. This is smart by the club. It ensures that the core of the team is kept together, as salford1961 said, but also keeps players happy and focused.
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Post by Carnster on Jan 13, 2021 10:25:29 GMT
Good stuff.
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Post by Carnster on Jan 12, 2021 21:39:21 GMT
Does that mean that Hastings can no longer play for GB ? Does he have an exception because he’s already played for GB. Not that he’ll be selected. Only Wigan born players qualify International qualification is completely separate. When a player declares their nationality (for sporting purposes) and it complies with the current rules (Grandparent rule) then that's it. They don't even have to have ever been to the country that they declare as long as they are allowed to declare under the current rules. Seems a bit weird, but makes sense when you look at the pacific islanders that play for their genetic heritage rather than where they were born. It's not any different from any Aussie who has an English grandparent from doing the same. Hence Hastings.
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Post by Carnster on Jan 12, 2021 21:33:24 GMT
I’ve never taken the time to understand this rule. In the big picture scheme of things,I’m happy that the Kolpak loophole has been closed and,to borrow an expression,everyone is now on a level playing field. Does Inu’s exemption apply forever or just for the contract that replaced his Widnes one,which used to be the rule I think I think it applies to us still because we were the club that picked him up after Widnes went into admin. If he then went elsewhere he would count on the overseas quota is the way I read it. I may be wrong, so I'm happy to be corrected.
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Post by Carnster on Jan 12, 2021 16:12:12 GMT
Residency no longer matters it is all associated with where you have played your Rugby and federation / non federation trained. So how long does one have to play RL in this country to gain exemption? Or isn't that possible now? Not possible. As far as I know. It just went to a blanket approach of 'Non federation trained.' Whereas that term was meant differently in years gone past. It just means the youth system that each player started in. So if a player started his professional career training for an Australian club then he'd be 'non-fed trained' to play in SL. Kolpak players used to be exempt due to the Kolpak trade deal that used to be in place with pacific island nations, but no longer is due to Brexit. There are historic exemptions for a few players. Inu is exempt for example, because we signed him due to Widnes going into Admin. Overseas players gained exemption so that they could find employment.
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Post by Carnster on Jan 11, 2021 20:30:35 GMT
Wouldn't be surprised to see us go for Brandon Moore Might be the obvious choice. Halifax connection with Marshall and all.
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Post by Carnster on Jan 11, 2021 10:13:41 GMT
Taylor will be glad to be away from all that nonsense and enjoy a quieter life over here I reckon. It did wonders for Hastings. Hopefully will do the same for Taylor.
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