Big_Grumper
Academy Player
I'm hoping Johan Ackerman brings a few Saffers in his luggage when he departs Jo'burg this weekend. I'd happily welcome Jaco Kriel, Malcolm Marx, Kwagga Smith and Mostert into our pack.
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Must admit, I don't quite see it that way.
May, judging by his body language at the end of last season, checked out long ago so better he's gone than infecting the side IMHO. Assuming we will pick up a Saffer to replace him.
We lack some depth at lock but Thrush is excellent (I honestly don't understand why he doesn't get the recognition) while Galarza is decent and Savage works hard. Think Slater would be a decent addition but hardly a stellar signing.
Frankly I'm surprised we're not signing any more props, as I don't see how ten can be nearly enough
Doubt you will pick up a saffer to replace may really.
9. Heinz
10. Williams
11. Sharples
12. Scott
13. Trinder (It will prob be 36 and Scott though)
14. woodward
15. Marshall
21. ?
22. Burns
23. Purdy/Halaifonua
My good your 9 crop is slim pickings. (A leicetser player you should really be after is Sam Harrison really).
TBH even without May your backs are pretty good it's just investing in the Tight 5 and 9. (Which unfortunately are expensive positions).
9. Heinz
10. Williams
11. Sharples
12. Scott
13. Trinder (It will prob be 36 and Scott though)
14. woodward
15. Marshall
21. ?
22. Burns
23. Purdy/Halaifonua
My good your 9 crop is slim pickings. (A leicetser player you should really be after is Sam Harrison really).
TBH even without May your backs are pretty good it's just investing in the Tight 5 and 9. (Which unfortunately are expensive positions).
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Not sure I agree with that? Gloucester actually have two very promising 9s in Vellacott and Randall. What they lack is a more experienced reserve (basically what Heinz was when Laidlaw was there) because the youngsters are probably a season or two away from being ready and Brayley will probably never be good enough.
Re. SA wingers, Combrinck was linked to Gloucester a while back and seems to have been leapfrogged by Rhule and another guy (whose name I forget) for the Boks. Could be some truth in it and IMO he's a better player than May.
Re. SA wingers, Combrinck was linked to Gloucester a while back and seems to have been leapfrogged by Rhule and another guy (whose name I forget) for the Boks. Could be some truth in it and IMO he's a better player than May.
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I was about to say I wasn't that confident about Vellacott staying about in Glos, given he's Scottish... but I've just noticed he's not actually tied to Scotland, and he's English born and raised.
Might be worth Eddie giving him a nod and a wink... he's been promising for some time, but I had always discounted him as being foreign scum.
Might be worth Eddie giving him a nod and a wink... he's been promising for some time, but I had always discounted him as being foreign scum.
Combrinck staying with the lions next season.
Randall might be promising but has to prove he can hold up to the prem physicality which i'm not sure on.
@ratsapprentice can't see Eddie picking him now that Maunder is emerging, Vellacott would be better off looking at a move to scotland TBH.
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Depends what you regard as Maunder 'emerging'. 4mins for England in Argentina won't count for much if he's not getting a game for Chiefs. I would have thought Vellacott has a better chance of game time and Scotland have a few young 9s in the mix already.
I agree re. Randall. He looks very talented but at least a season or two off or first team Premiership rugby.
I agree re. Randall. He looks very talented but at least a season or two off or first team Premiership rugby.
Agree on Harry Randall. He looks about 14.
Chief Pete
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Halfpenny on the verge of signing for Scarlets apparently, choosing them over Cardiff Blues...
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It'd be fascinating to see if he could rediscover his very old attacking flair at Scarlets.
He'd be a great asset for the Scarlets. A steadying presence at full back or on the wing would balance well alongside the attacking flare of Steff Evans and NcNicoll, and it means that they don't have o rush a youngster like Cornbier onto the wing to replace Williams/DTH. If they want to challenge for the Pto12 again, and challenge for Europe, then proven quality is needed alongside raw talent, Halfpenny's quality is without question Imo. Can't be a bad thing either to have one of the world's best place kickers in your ranks.
I think it'll also be a great move for 1/2p, even if it's likely for a lot less than Toulon apparently verbally offered him originally. Under Pivac and Jones I'd expect to see Halfpenny's attacking game return, which should help him retain his Welsh starting berth. With Liam 1st choice for the Lions and so much attacking quality available to Gats out wide, Halfpenny's place is up for debate, so he'll need to improve offensively going forwards, no better place in Europe than at Scarlets.
Chief Pete
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Massive statement of intent from Scarlets, looking at the new league format I only see the 2 Irish provinces providing a sustained challenge to them in conference B, you've got the weakest Welsh region, weakest Scottish team and arguably the weaker SA franchise in there along with Treviso...
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Wow ... Conference B is much weaker. Don't forget Ulster will be without two of their best players. I'm not going to comment/speculate on that one for obvious reasons, but from a pure playing POV, it's disastrous for them.
Scarlets and Leinster should easily top that conference without breaking much of sweat.
Scarlets and Leinster should easily top that conference without breaking much of sweat.
Chief Pete
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Pretty happy.
Tigers lacked outright speed only had Veainu last season out of our 17 backs who was actually a speedster.
Thompstone, May, Veainu would have a nice balance to it.
RE Slater, he will be missed but we are fine for locks.
Yeah happy with this. We've lacked a quality finisher and pace on the wing, kinda relied on Veainu for that a little too much.
Makes sense for Jonny May to further his career/increase his chance of trophies and playing in the Champions cup.
Makes sense for Slater as he too will probably get a wage hike and be pretty much first choice lock at Gloucester.
Talk of Ruan ackermann leaving for Gloucester.
Seems odd.
Seems odd.
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Would not at all mind him getting English qualified. We don't really have any top quality young 6s coming through, just 7s and 8s that can play 6, so Ackermann could be a real catch for us.
Makes sense for Gloucester too if the rumours of Moriarty being Northampton (or elsewhere) bound are true.
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Why odd? He'd be playing for his dad.
