Actually, Waikato has consistently been the weakest franchise in NZ. But again, you miss the point.
No, letting Harding go is not a catatrophic loss. It is however a symptom of a very diseased environment down at the Gardens. Teh Mite, you were the one who wrote the article summising what everyone has been posting and talking about!
Letting a player like Harding go and keeping a player like Fox and then having Barwell state that he wants the Saints to play rugby like the All Blacks suggests many things, but nothing more clearly than this: no one down at FG actually communicates or shares the same vision.
Again, why are you treating this as an isolated incident? Harding was treated unfairly at this club. Given he played at the Highlanders, Crusaders, All Blacks, World XV and Barbars, his contacts in the rugby world are wide and deep. It doesn't take much for a couple of players to say what the environment is like and we may lose out on a good player. Especially since Spencer and Robinson are known to the rugby world to be looking to have their contracts terminated by the end of this season. Barwell has also said that Dan Carter is coming here at the end of the season. Given DC, Harding, Spencer and Robinson share the same agent, I doubt their rugby management company will be all that willing to do business with a club that have some very unhappy players. I do agree however, that Harding would not help our current woes because suggesting that one player could is simply ludicrous.
Also, the NZRFU have never stood in the way of players wanting to leave NZ for more money on this side of the world. Why would they? First rule in rugby, if a player wants to leave, let them go as it causes more disruption than it does good. It is also the reason why many players go back to play in the Super 14 again because the NZRU don't begrudge players for wanting to financially make the most of their short careers where and when they can. New Zealand just can't compete with the money that competitions like the GP can offer and the NZRU prefer to keep communications and relationships with players positive rather than resentful. When Harding left, Crusaders stated they would be happy to have him back if he ever so chooses.
Furthermore, to dismiss Harding making the toughest international side and the best club team in the world further emphasises my point in questioning your credibility and knowledge of the game. Credit where credit is due please. Making the Italian team isn’t exactly the same as making the All Blacks especially when not one England player could even get onto the All Blacks bench let alone the 1st team.
Lastly, if Sanderson comes here, good luck to him. I'll always be behind my team. However, given he has stated publically and on numerous occasions that he is staying at Wuss, even if they are relegated, if I was to believe rumours of a move to here, I would have to also believe he is a liar. Not the kind of character I want at the Saints as management already have a problem with dishonesty.
