According to the T&A we are going to sign him. Seems like a strange move in my opinion, as when godwin is fit we will have 3 hookers. Until Godwin is fit they should give Jonny Horton a run, he is supposed to be playing really well and I'm sure he could do a job. I think they should spend the cap money on players in more vital positions such as the halves or three-quarters. What does everyone else think?

A half back would be a far far better move, however if we were to buy a half back Mr Jefferies would lose his place in order to accomadate our wonderful captain

. Mr Deacon has the ability to destroy any half back partnership by not turning up. We need a ball player and Rinaldi is fairly good at that. Still rather have Finchy like

If we were to sign him, I would hope it's to cover 6,7,9.

Rinaldi started as a scrum half and has played stand off in his time. As we are down to two fit players to cover the three main pivot positions, attempting to recruit someone with this profile is absolutely the right thing to do, and while I have doubts about Rinaldi's quality and consistency, I'd be surprised if there were many other options.

As for Horton, given that he's not named in the squad, wouldn't we require special permission - not to mention probably an upgrade to a full time contract - to play him?

Rinaldi is one of those players that sometimes looks pretty good without ever being spectacular. I was only thinking the other day that I don't recall seeing who he signed for after Quins got rid.

Before Catalans moved him to hooker, he'd played most of his career in the halves, so I've no doubt he's mainly coming to cover that, as well as some extra hooker coverage.

I'd say with the limited options available, it's not a bad signing as some squad cover.

He's a decent player, should be a good signing to cover the halves, and 9, if needed.

Wouldn't imagine he is too expensive and I'm surprised no-one else picked him up before now.

Agreed.
Hopefully it'll be a short term solution until we can sign a classy 6 or 7

not on the website yet?

T & A only says we're looking at making a move for him. Doesn't say he's signed.

He's no great shakes but would provide cover on a short term deal till the end of the season.

I just hope they don't give him a longer deal as it would suggest that he and Godwin would be our regular hookers once Newton's deal expires.

Excellent signing. Very happy if it comes off.

Julien Rinaldi, are we having a laugh? Part of the reason we are struggling as we are these days is that we have recruited to many players of similar standard to Julien. No more please.

He's hardly coming in as a top quality signing though is he?

He's undoubtedly coming in as cover because we're short of halves and the Bird signing fell through. If everyone's fit, I highly doubt he'll be in the 17.

Whether he's top quality or not though, just having someone who's average in the squad means that other players in that position have some competition. We've seen over recent seasons (with last year being the exception) what having no competition for places can do.

no more excuses, either sign a player of significant quality or dont sign anyone.

sums up our recent recruiting policy. Signing a player that can cover in case mediocre players get injured. Can somebody explain why we have an academy. Is it simply to bring on players for other clubs?

Such as?

Who is available that we can sign?


It's not as simple as "buy the best player". They have to be available, they have to want to come and the club have to be able to afford their wages (as well as fit them under salary caps).


Why do some people seem to think it's such an easy process? If it was as easy as some make out, why don't we just sign Darren Lockyer?

Perhaps the halves in the academy are crap too?

I think that the argument was not that we just by a great player, it was buy a great player if they are available otherwise don't land the club with ANOTHER journetman.

Thought we kept being told that we have a great set of youngsters.

But we quite clearly need some cover. An average player as cover that creates some competition is better than nothing at all.

As has been said, if it's only until the end of the season to provide some extra cover, how is that a bad thing?

Fair enough if we end up signing him for more than that, questions maybe need asking.

And how many times do you hear that about one of the academy halves?

We've heard plenty about various young players, but none of them are halfbacks.

Maybe Horton isn't ready for the first team yet? Has anyone seen him play recently? I saw him pre season at Dews I think and he didn't stand out there.

Maybe he didn't stand out because of lack of experience. GIve him a go in the first team. At the moment nobody is expecting great things of anyone. If he can pass to a Bulls player and catch when passed to he would be a step up from what we have at the moment.

I accept the argument that you have to look at the players that are available, I just think that signing Rinaldi would perpetuate the recruitment problems that we've suffered from in recent years. We keep signing these players who stand out one game in three and are a liability in the other two.

I'd prefer to see a long term strategy where we build the team round 4 or 5 high class players and complement them with cheaper players who are solid, reliable and consistent. And hopefully a few genuine prospects from the academy.

Is there a link, I've looked on the T&A site and can't find anything