Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Nov 30, 2023 3:36 pm  

The debate about Owen Farrell has been interesting. Most of us seem to think he would find top level RL a challenge at his age, and that making the kind of impact he made in RU would be impossible. The counterbalance was that most commentators felt it would still send shockwaves through Union, and would be worth it just for the publicity it would generate.

But reading the papers the last few days has been a revelation to me. I'd no idea Owen was so widely disliked in 15-a-side. I've no idea why either, as I don't follow it, but on that basis ... would it really be seen as such a national disaster if so few of them actually appreciate him?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Nov 30, 2023 4:13 pm  

Cruncher wrote:

The debate about Owen Farrell has been interesting. Most of us seem to think he would find top level RL a challenge at his age, and that making the kind of impact he made in RU would be impossible. The counterbalance was that most commentators felt it would still send shockwaves through Union, and would be worth it just for the publicity it would generate.

But reading the papers the last few days has been a revelation to me. I'd no idea Owen was so widely disliked in 15-a-side. I've no idea why either, as I don't follow it, but on that basis ... would it really be seen as such a national disaster if so few of them actually appreciate him?

I think it’s because he still has his Wigan accent.
Looks like he will be staying in RU. He sounds like a decent bloke to me so I wish him and his family all of the best.
If he had signed for us the RU fraternity would still have been in meltdown irrespective of their views of him.
It was a good tale while it lasted.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Nov 30, 2023 4:17 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

It’s ticking the off season over at least. It feels to me like there has probably been talks but he’s decided to stay in Union.

There definitely was "Something" in it
If it doesn't happen, it doesn't mean that something couldn't have happened

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Nov 30, 2023 4:17 pm  

Itchy Arsenal wrote:

I think it’s because he still has his Wigan accent.
Looks like he will be staying in RU. He sounds like a decent bloke to me so I wish him and his family all of the best.
If he had signed for us the RU fraternity would still have been in meltdown irrespective of their views of him.
It was a good tale while it lasted.

Most have been galling for them watching an oik showing them how to play all these years.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Nov 30, 2023 6:40 pm  

Mark_P1973 wrote:

thats where the club accountants earn their money

if we use Smith, Thompson, French and Field for illustrative purposes and they are all on £400k salary

How we then use the marquee slots could save us £100k on the cap £800k v £700k, so whilst as fans we shouldnt worry about who is named marquee, the club do need to right on top of this to ensure we are utilising the benefit fully

In true RFL fashion though the number of each type of marquee isnt clear, other than they state at least 1 must be Federation trained i.e. you cant have 3 overseas non fed trained marquee. However, it doesnt say you cant have 3 club trained (that i can see), so (purely for illustration) if our top earners were Farrell, Smith and Smithies (prior to him leaving) and all 3 were on £300k, could we have benefitted from only paying £150k on the cap, instead of £900k

Yeah, you can’t have all 3 non federation, that’s the only restriction so you can have 3 club trained counting £50k (my understanding). Pretty sure it’s been mentioned on here or somewhere else that Farrell was marquee rather than Field, even more likely this season as the dispensation is £100k more for Farrell.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Nov 30, 2023 7:07 pm  

Cruncher wrote:

The debate about Owen Farrell has been interesting. Most of us seem to think he would find top level RL a challenge at his age, and that making the kind of impact he made in RU would be impossible. The counterbalance was that most commentators felt it would still send shockwaves through Union, and would be worth it just for the publicity it would generate.

But reading the papers the last few days has been a revelation to me. I'd no idea Owen was so widely disliked in 15-a-side. I've no idea why either, as I don't follow it, but on that basis ... would it really be seen as such a national disaster if so few of them actually appreciate him?

He seems very similar to Sam Tomkins in his standing within the game, a lot of fans hate him and can’t stand him but his peers, coaches and opposition appreciate him and regard him as one of the best players in the world at their best. He is a bit gobby on the field which is something that’s not normally seen on a Union field, he also in no way tries to endear himself to the public, what you see if what you get, he’s not media trained like some and comes across a little dull and uninterested in interviews at times. I also think his game has fallen away and while he is still seen as a top player by a lot of people his haters want England to move on from him which given his age and decline, particularly his place kicking which is so big in Union I think might be the best for England RU.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Dec 01, 2023 11:48 pm  

CobraCraig wrote:

He seems very similar to Sam Tomkins in his standing within the game, a lot of fans hate him and can’t stand him but his peers, coaches and opposition appreciate him and regard him as one of the best players in the world at their best. He is a bit gobby on the field which is something that’s not normally seen on a Union field, he also in no way tries to endear himself to the public, what you see if what you get, he’s not media trained like some and comes across a little dull and uninterested in interviews at times. I also think his game has fallen away and while he is still seen as a top player by a lot of people his haters want England to move on from him which given his age and decline, particularly his place kicking which is so big in Union I think might be the best for England RU.

They should be careful what they wish for, he carried England in the World Cup.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Dec 01, 2023 11:48 pm  

CobraCraig wrote:

He seems very similar to Sam Tomkins in his standing within the game, a lot of fans hate him and can’t stand him but his peers, coaches and opposition appreciate him and regard him as one of the best players in the world at their best. He is a bit gobby on the field which is something that’s not normally seen on a Union field, he also in no way tries to endear himself to the public, what you see if what you get, he’s not media trained like some and comes across a little dull and uninterested in interviews at times. I also think his game has fallen away and while he is still seen as a top player by a lot of people his haters want England to move on from him which given his age and decline, particularly his place kicking which is so big in Union I think might be the best for England RU.

They should be careful what they wish for, he carried England in the World Cup.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Dec 02, 2023 10:14 am  

Zig wrote:

They should be careful what they wish for, he carried England in the World Cup.

Indeed,I wonder if he's backing himself by stepping away from the England side to show what he brings to the table?it's a gamble for sure but one alongside the need to step away from the cesspool that seems to surround England side it's a gamble I would take.

As for the rumour of coming over to Wigan it wasn't going to happen he'd be on far to much for league and yes I don't care that Wigan have a rich owner I don't see him splashing silly money about I just don't the clubs won't go short but I don't see Penrith leaving behind Nathan Cleary in February because Danson has bought him (we can but dream I suppose)

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Dec 02, 2023 5:12 pm  

Zig wrote:

They should be careful what they wish for, he carried England in the World Cup.

He had 2 good games in the knock outs but wasn’t great in the group games he played and Ford looked better. Would hardly say he carried them.