Wardle has signed a one year extention according to our website. Good!

I think one thing is noticeable above previous seasons in that there is actually communication from the club about these things which is also a massive positive.

Nothing is achieved by keeping fans in the dark.

https://www.totalrl.com/overseas-quota- ... ers-guide/ The above guide is based on the 2019 RFL/SL ruling. It makes very little sense and I think that my head has exploded trying to apply the ruling to the current Leigh Team. The main gist is you can have 5 Aussie or New Zealanders or 7 non-federated players. (non-feds are players who have not had 3 years training in a European Country prior to the age of 21. It appears that players with a British Passport are exempt, but for some reason Widdop (Warrington) is a non-fed. Aekins could feasibly be dual Nationality, but O'Donnell would count as Overseas as he is unlikely to have a British Passport. Ipape and McDonald are definitely Non-Fed (PNG) Nakubuwai (Fiji) Inu (NZ) Ferguson (Aus) John Asiata (Aus) Stone (Aus) Hingano (NZ) Amone (Aus) Ioane (NZ) are all Overseas The fact that they have played for multiple international teams (Tonga and Samoa) seems to be irrelevant because of being born in either Aus or NZ. Residency seems to only affect your choice for International call ups. Since 2019 we have unfortunately left the EU and the issue regarding Kolpak is further muddied. Kolpak Nations are (Fiji, Tonga, Samoa & Papua New Guinea). I am guessing that the rule now is a straight 7 Overseas. Any the wiser? I am not - good luck Chezzy sorting this out.

https://www.totalrl.com/overseas-quota- ... ers-guide/ The above guide is based on the 2019 RFL/SL ruling. It makes very little sense and I think that my head has exploded trying to apply the ruling to the current Leigh Team. The main gist is you can have 5 Aussie or New Zealanders or 7 non-federated players. (non-feds are players who have not had 3 years training in a European Country prior to the age of 21. It appears that players with a British Passport are exempt, but for some reason Widdop (Warrington) is a non-fed. Aekins could feasibly be dual Nationality, but O'Donnell would count as Overseas as he is unlikely to have a British Passport. Ipape and McDonald are definitely Non-Fed (PNG) Nakubuwai (Fiji) Inu (NZ) Ferguson (Aus) John Asiata (Aus) Stone (Aus) Hingano (NZ) Amone (Aus) Ioane (NZ) are all Overseas The fact that they have played for multiple international teams (Tonga and Samoa) seems to be irrelevant because of being born in either Aus or NZ. Residency seems to only affect your choice for International call ups. Since 2019 we have unfortunately left the EU and the issue regarding Kolpak is further muddied. Kolpak Nations are (Fiji, Tonga, Samoa & Papua New Guinea). I am guessing that the rule now is a straight 7 Overseas. Any the wiser? I am not - good luck Chezzy sorting this out.

Was there ever an intermediate and/or advanced guide published or have they ever updated their release?



Nothing in that article explains how a certain Championship club (Leyth) have had so many non-feds signed off by the RFL.



Try this one. Blake Ferguson is a well known Oz RL international but he signed (yes signed) up to play Union in Japan where he didn’t just stick to the sushi! Leigh therefore signed him from another sport. “New” talent?

Within the limits of the report - or the reporter’s judgement of how much thicko RL fans can capisce - yes he is!

Maybe there’s a new dispensation for club’s that have been barred from running an academy because Wigan & Saints don’t like the idea?

Decent find Sev, but agreed it explains nothing. All our overseas players have been granted work permits. Could the RFL be sued for denial of the right to ply trade.

Wonder what IMG will/do think.

Leigh Twitter was yesterday hawking a link to "The Dockhouse Rugby Show" and part the first of their interview with Derek Beaumont. As far as Bongser can suss, the recording date was the first of this month. On 25 minutes, DB mentions (not by name) another player that has signed a THREE year extention but has yet to be announced. The length of contract is the interesting bit - must be a present player with whom Lam is well pleased. The link is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixw6tzbsaxw Bongser has summarised that bit but it is an informative watch throughout - certainly had the presenters rapt.

Leigh Twitter was yesterday hawking a link to "The Dockhouse Rugby Show" and part the first of their interview with Derek Beaumont. As far as Bongser can suss, the recording date was the first of this month. On 25 minutes, DB mentions (not by name) another player that has signed a THREE year extention but has yet to be announced. The length of contract is the interesting bit - must be a present player with whom Lam is well pleased. The link is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixw6tzbsaxw Bongser has summarised that bit but it is an informative watch throughout - certainly had the presenters rapt.

I have listened through the podcast.

Am I the only one here who had not heard of DB's near death experience! Wow!

I've seen no mention of it before. Is this breaking news or am I the last in the room to hear something that has been common knowledge

News to me.

Few people saying Asiata is optional. Think he is a must to keep asap. A ball handling loose forward built like a prop who has the skills of a half back. Think he is one of the star players in the group.

For me he is bigger and better version of James Bell, if not already he must be signed up for the next couple of seasons. Plays like 3rd HB, very often you’ll see the play going through him - provides great options in attack and he seems to have a very solid defence.

Also generally tends to do the full 80 - a must have for me, can imagine top 4 clubs sniffing for him

A world class player. The idea that we would not sign him is unbelievable. IF we can then he is a must.

Somebody has signed for a 3 year extension - The must keeps are Amone and Asiata. I think it is Asiata who has re-discovered his love for the game and appears to be really enjoying his time at Leigh.
Amone is much quieter but I would like to think he too will pen a new contract, but the SL vultures will be circling.

Anyone saying Asiata is optional doesn't know much about RL. Asiata is an exceptional player and a must keep along with Amone. Hope they both sign up soon.

I don’t know much, but I do know Asiata is a keeper !

The club have Asiata signed for next season if we are in SL, if we are not then Asiata can choose to take up the year extension or not. https://twitter.com/derek_beaumont/stat ... 8eMNBEOoEQ

The club have Asiata signed for next season if we are in SL, if we are not then Asiata can choose to take up the year extension or not. https://twitter.com/derek_beaumont/stat ... 8eMNBEOoEQ

Quote ="micktheleyther"The club have Asiata signed for next season if we are in SL, if we are not then Asiata can choose to take up the year extension or not. https://twitter.com/derek_beaumont/stat ... 8eMNBEOoEQ'" Good retrieve, Mick, and good news.

Quote ="micktheleyther"The club have Asiata signed for next season if we are in SL, if we are not then Asiata can choose to take up the year extension or not. https://twitter.com/derek_beaumont/stat ... 8eMNBEOoEQ'" Good retrieve, Mick, and good news.

Reynolds signed for two years last season so he’s in next year too

Leigh Twitter has announced Keanan Brand now here until end of '24. More good news.

This is very good news. A clear sign of a club and team with the right environment. Keanan has not been a clear first choice on the team sheet since we bolstered our back line, but obviously sees his career building positively at Leigh regardless. That only happened when a players experiences the right environment and feels valued.
I’m confident he will play a vital part in the rest of this season and in the future.

Reward for some very solid displays from Keanan this season despite playing out of position on the wing for most of the time.

He always gives a lot of effort and has benefitted this season from playing with confidence in a winning team.

For my money, he struggled last season but then again he was in a team that was struggling every week. I am expecting much better from him next year and I am confident that he will be far more solid for us when we step up. Although playing at a lower level this season he has visibly improved in his play, probably due to our exceptional coaching team and to playing with obvious confidence.

As VL has observed, he has not been a first choice in the team once better players were added to the squad but he has been and will continue to be a very useful squad player and in that respect the contract extension is fair and just reward..

One other positive to this is that it may be a positive for the signing of other young quality players, who may be looking for a team environment that they can develop in. If we are to be what DB is aiming for, a sustainable and long term SL team, we need top quality now, and future young stars who can be solid squad players next season and develop into SL first choice in the near future. Keanan's signing and word of mouth amongst his peers, is exactly what may bring those players on board.

Chamberlain has resigned too which is also good news.

Bell in on dual-reg, looks like a straight swap to give Asiata a well deserved rest (not heard anything else more negative).

Head of Rugby Chris Chester said: “Ed (Chamberlain) has been arguably one of our most consistent players this season.

“His performances this season have warranted this new deal and we are well aware we can’t carry everyone into 2023. But it’s important to get our best British talent signed up and Ed is definitely one of them.

Totally agree Chezzy.

Update

1. Aekins – Keep – Hopefully can obtain a British passport (Dual nationality)
2. Hitchcox – Let go - Limited opportunities and is Australian (Out on loan - unlikely to return)
3. Brand – Retained
4. McDonald – Retained – Top try scorer- unorthodox Centre
5. Nisbet – Let go – Played Wing and pack - a trier put lacking the pizzaz of Inu, Ferguson and Charnley
6. Reynolds – Retained
7. Mellor – Retained
8. Sidlow – Keep – Solid all round has improved discipline having been made Captain
9. Smith – Sign – Smith has spent several seasons at Leigh and needs to make the move permanent.
10. Ioane – Let go- Residency is only applicable to International choices - If he was British a definite keep
11. Wardle - Retained
12. Stone – Keep
13. Amone – Keep – Star Prop
14. Green – Keep – Unfortunate injury – Plenty of SL experience
15. Hingano – Let go
16. Chamberlain – Retained
17. Jones – Let go
18. Asiata – Keep – SL Contract if promoted - option of retailing if in the championship
19. Roberts – Keep - (Out on season loan)
20. Dixon – Let Go – (Out on season loan) unlikely to return
21. Ipape – Retained – Oh Edwin Ipape (I love that man)
22. McDonnell – Sign – Highly rated by Lam but still a Wigan loanee.
23. Inu – Keep – I would like another season from this top performer (At 35 he might hang up his Blue and Red Boots)
24. O’Donnell - Keep – Hopefully can obtain a British passport (Dual nationality)
25. Nakubuwai – Undecided – Getting better with every game
26. Ferguson – Keep – A little bit of stardust at the LSV
27. Charnley – Signed

Rumours of a long extension for a key member of the Squad - Aekins, O'Donnell, Stone or Amone (With Amone the likely target)

Very pleased about Chambo, he's been really reliable this year and Leigh's commitment to him and vice versa is the loudest statement yet that his injury is summat 'n' neauwt.

The interesting thing in your post Deeeekos, is the mention of a straight swap. Is someone going to Saints or do you just mean that it's like for like(ish) for Asiata's "feet-up time"?

Another signing that signals any eye on the future, with recognition of the effort and improvement shown this season. Young players looking to make their mark, will again take note of this signing, as they will of the Keanan Brand signing.
We are building the foundations of next year and beyond nicely.