Well, given that we now have a live salary cap, Leeds HAVE to have the space to sign Smith otherwise the RFL would block the transfer.

but given the players in Leeds team, you do have to wonder if they're getting away with murder somewhere

Love this post

To be honest, I can't imagine how they untangle the whole Leeds Rugby/Tykes/Rhinos triangle. We have to assume it's all above board and I'm sure the Leeds club wouldn't do anything wrong, though I certainly wouldn't trust the RFL to boil an egg, never mind to have the capacity to run the rule over complex, financial business dealings.

Will a mod pleeeease merge these two Lee Smith threads.

Have look at G1's signature there's a clue there.

far be it from me to maybe point out something which may actually defend the whinos but, we all know that Hetherington mentioned only a few weeks ago that there where cap implications with bringing any of there loanee's back i.e. ben jones bishop.

I personally think that they will have resigned Smith on absolutely peanuts for this season, - baring in mind he will have been earning a higher wage in union for the last 6 months. His wage for the remaining term of his contract after this season (4 years I think) will be back up at the level which we would expect, and lets face it, they are likley to let Ali Tutti-frutti go (he has already let it be known he wants to go bcak to NZ), and I bet Senior won't be retained - which will slot Smith back in at centre. That will give ample space for Smith.

Just a thought.

Quote ="silsdenbull"far be it from me to maybe point out something which may actually defend the whinos but, we all know that Hetherington mentioned only a few weeks ago that there where cap implications with bringing any of there loanee's back i.e. ben jones bishop. I personally think that they will have resigned Smith on absolutely peanuts for this season, - baring in mind he will have been earning a higher wage in union for the last 6 months. His wage for the remaining term of his contract after this season (4 years I think) will be back up at the level which we would expect, and lets face it, they are likley to let Ali Tutti-frutti go (he has already let it be known he wants to go bcak to NZ), and I bet Senior won't be retained - which will slot Smith back in at centre. That will give ample space for Smith. Just a thought.'" Think your spot on, Smith will probs be playing for peanuts but that will be made up in the next few years. Senior will still be at Leeds next season. But your right about Ali he is thinking about going home. Donald and Buderus are out of contract too and at least one of them will head home imo. Interesting article regarding Buderus from a few weeks back: www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 5837155974 Buderus will free up more than enough to keep Smithy happy!

Quote ="silsdenbull"far be it from me to maybe point out something which may actually defend the whinos but, we all know that Hetherington mentioned only a few weeks ago that there where cap implications with bringing any of there loanee's back i.e. ben jones bishop. I personally think that they will have resigned Smith on absolutely peanuts for this season, - baring in mind he will have been earning a higher wage in union for the last 6 months. His wage for the remaining term of his contract after this season (4 years I think) will be back up at the level which we would expect, and lets face it, they are likley to let Ali Tutti-frutti go (he has already let it be known he wants to go bcak to NZ), and I bet Senior won't be retained - which will slot Smith back in at centre. That will give ample space for Smith. Just a thought.'" Think your spot on, Smith will probs be playing for peanuts but that will be made up in the next few years. Senior will still be at Leeds next season. But your right about Ali he is thinking about going home. Donald and Buderus are out of contract too and at least one of them will head home imo. Interesting article regarding Buderus from a few weeks back: www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 5837155974 Buderus will free up more than enough to keep Smithy happy!

Didn't think you could defer payments to later years in a contract, after Wigan were found guilty of having broken a non existent rule? Isn't the average of the contract over it's term used for the live cap.
Anyway which ever way it's done the RFL have accepted his registration so their total player payments must fit under the cap.

Dont think youre allowed to pay a player peanuts one year then make it up over remainder of deal, its against the spirit of the cap.

Dont think theres anything wrong in say Leeds giving him 80k a year and then a sponsor giving him say 60k a year if he does a couple of photoshoots etc as long as third company doesnt pay anything to Leeds for advertising their product in programme etc.