2015/16 Squad/Contracts/Rumours and Transfers Thread Part 4

[RagingBull]

Side note I wonder how much space we have to play with?

Marquee signings?
Manu
Toomua
Maybe

Would mean that Manu's cap from this season will be free. Guessing that would be taken by Cilliers. (trying to think if Manu signed pre Lions or post lions)

JPP ------ Goneva straight swap.
Brady ---- Camacho prob straight swap nearly.
McGuigan - Leo Would imagine that this would free up some space.

Would imagine re-signings wise
Slater
Youngs
Veainu
Would go up.
The rest pretty stay the same.

Also have leaving
De Chaves
Pearce
Bell
Loamanu
Benjamin

Assuming that if rumours are right
Grant --- Pearce straight swap
Loamanu + Benjamin cap --- Agulla (Guess depends on Sarries maybe pushing up price.

Still free up Bell and De Chaves cap. And also rumoured off Bai and JDV. (Is JDV a marquee signing think the club said no but can't remember.

with the cap increase of 1 million should def have some money to play with still.

Maybe a couple more highish profile signings then fill the rest with Academy/Project players.

Could be wrong though by some distance.

[strawclearer]

Is JDV a marquee signing think the club said no but can't remember.

October 28, 2015 in the Mercury "Jean de Villiers is not our marquee signing," Cockerill said. "We still have that slot open. Whether we have the budget to fill that slot is a discussion for me and the board to have."
"I am in the market but it's all about budgets . De Villiers is in the salary cap and we are always looking, but for us, it is always a budgetary thing."
"We have the ability within the salary cap to bring a player in. Whether Mr Tom (chairman), Mr Cohen (chief executive ) and the club can afford that with regards to what we are doing with the training ground and the stadium, we will have to see. We have to make the jigsaw fit. We are the poor kids in the playground. We have to save up to buy players."

As far as Manu is concerned - assume you must mean the Rugby World Cup not Lions! RWC was September 18, 2015 – October 31, 2015. Manu signed beginning of December, I think.

[RagingBull]

Okay so his cap would be freed up if he goes then.

[Spicer]

Can somebody answer a question for me? Is Toomua a fly half or center? Also what have we signed him as? With Betham and Manu forming a partnership is he a fly half for us?

[strawclearer]

Can somebody answer a question for me? Is Toomua a fly half or center? Also what have we signed him as? With Betham and Manu forming a partnership is he a fly half for us?

I think he's been signed as a 12 first and a back-up 10. Fits fine if Manu is 13 - which I'm sure RC will discuss with EJ! He plays 12 for the Brumbies and Betham is more of a wing than 13 imho.

[RagingBull]

12 plays 10.

He does the tactical kicking stuff for Brumbies (restarts and penalty kicks to touch)

[strawclearer]

He does the tactical kicking stuff for Brumbies (restarts and penalty kicks to touch)

A much more natural 'out of hand' kicker than Manu which makes for a more effective second receiver as a 12.

[strawclearer]

On Rugby Tonight - George Smith leaving Wasps at the end of the season and heading back to Japan! Did we already know this? Huge blow for the Pests!

[Spicer]

On Rugby Tonight - George Smith leaving Wasps at the end of the season and heading back to Japan! Did we already know this? Huge blow for the Pests!

Wow, that is a massive blow! Very hard to replace him!

[BeeJay]

On Rugby Tonight - George Smith leaving Wasps at the end of the season and heading back to Japan! Did we already know this?

Yes. He was only ever over here on a 1-year contract. http://www.planetrugby.com/news/smith-t ... for-japan/

[Brianf]

Whilst signing autographs on Saturday, JDV was asked if he was staying for next season. He smiled and just said that it had not been sorted yet. I would not expect a definite answer in such a forum, but I do wonder if he will stay next year?

[strawclearer]

Unofficial Fans facebook page confirming what we effectively knew - Seremia Bai(37) leaving / retiring at the end of the season. Great servant to the game and to us and he's talking about looking forward to 'giving back' to rugby in Fiji. Good luck in your retirement!

[doublecarpet]

Whilst signing autographs on Saturday, JDV was asked if he was staying for next season. He smiled and just said that it had not been sorted yet. I would not expect a definite answer in such a forum, but I do wonder if he will stay next year?

With Toomua coming is he worth the cap/risk? If he's that much of an influence at Oval Park, how about a coaching role.....?

[RagingBull]

Guess if JDV and Bai goes might we be looking at another midfield option?

Would leave us with
12) Toomua, Smith, Roberts
13) Manu, Catchpole

with Manu at England for Novemeber and 6N's will leave us short and that isn't thinking of injuries.

Maybe another experience signing and Bryant/Thacker from Academy.

[darganj]

Shouldn't re-sign JDV.

I wonder if we could get a Nick Tompkins from Sarries. Can't find anything online about him and any contracts