That's the problem tough isn't it - we don't have him-yet!
I rate him and would like him signed up but at the right price.
I've no idea what such as TJ are on but I hope he isn't wanting to exceed that figure because he aint worth it.

Nice emotive word "Demands".

You have absolutely no idea what his money "demands" are. What did you think of Fifita's money "demands" last year or Arona's "demands" this year?

There are many many reasons why it would be an excellent idea to sign Rocky, he is already an excellent player with a fabulous skill set, add to that his goal kicking which is second to none in SL. Also note that like all half backs he is targeted in defense and wow does he stand up to that challenge or what, that defensive ability along with his all round game plus his blistering pace I think means that the national selectors should be knocking on his door, he will get even better remember he is only young. Last pre season Chester had it in mind to play Finn at 7 : Rocky was Chesters back up player. Rocky got his opportunity and grasped it with both hands he is now our first choice 7, I think a full pre season, more time to build his understanding with Miller will result in him and our half back partnership getting even better.
Excellent half backs are a scarce commodity, there is a risk signing an overseas player, will they settle, will their family be happy in UK, are they really any good etc etc plus they are expensive. So in Rocky we have a happy, settled player, who is popular in the player group, by signing Rocky you are reducing the risk factor he ticks all the boxes. Like wise Trinity would also be an excellent club for Rocky to commit to, we are a top 5 side with a settled squad, the fans love him, he knows he would be first choice 7, he looks like he enjoys playing with Miller.
I suspect that if he signs that playing in the Trinity team will make him a star and a much sort after player that will be a good thing for all parties.

According to him Fifita was a rubbish signing anyway



Seriously do not have a problem with players/agents negotiating terms with the club, They have a short career and obviously want what is right for them and I don`t begrudge them for that at all. Just a shame that some agents out there in the game take advantage of young naive players for a pay day of there own. The guy behind SMTM seems to have a decent reputation within the game among players and clubs which is good.

Dave and arona have both proved them selfs on and off the field for us time and time again and over a long period of time

They earned the right to make demands
Although I don't recall there agents making statements in the papers

Hampshire has earned the right to ask very little
He still has to prove him self

He certainly didn't do enough against Cas which surpeised me - even without Miller he looked clueless at times but then I suppose they all did.

At the end of the day MC and CC found common ground with DF and TA. They either will or they won't with RH. Neither me, you nor BOJ will have any influence.

We can all transfer over to the "Slag Max Jowitt off" thread then.

I wonder if the sticking point is that we have a figure in mind for him as a back up halfback rather than our starting 7?

If that’s the case we’re playing a dangerous game, we could end up without Rocky and stuck to choose someone with lesser qualities I.e. Reynolds

Not too sure you got my point... What if we have already signed a first choice 7 for next season and we are negotiating with RH to give him a contract that reflects been a cover for the halfs? IMO that is not playing a dangerous game as even if we lose out on him then we will still be able to pick up another back up half i`m sure, just maybe not the same quality.

It all depends on how MC/CC are budgeting the squad.
I dont think that it's X for a HB and X for a prop, more about balancing the whole squad within the budget restraints that they have.
If there was a list of all players with their salaries, you may think that certain players age getting "too much" and that others are "cheap" and I certainly wouldn't want the task of keeping everyone happy, whilst trying to assemble a competitive squad on a relatively low overall budget, it must be an absolute nightmare.

Would hate us to miss out on Hampshire and he then signs for Leeds and becomes a mainstay for years to come.

I like Hampshire & we are desperately short of quality British HBs. But from what i have seen of him he is in no position to call the shots. Apart from that blistering break & try he scored 2 games ago he just looks like someone learning SL HB play, which effectively is the position he is in. He was completely anonymous against Cas. I can't see any team throwing huge amounts of money at him, who are not already catered for in that department. Hopefully he will stay & develop at Wakey.

That's all true, Miller has turned in to a really strong senior member of the team which I think the cas match really highlighted with him not being in the team due to illness
It highlights a wider point to me though
We need some one to replace Finn
Some one to run the game

I see Hampshire as a stand off not a scrum half personally

I actually think he could make a really good full back
Not sure he is the exact type scrum half we need but he will do a job for us

Correct but some can't see it - he's miles off at the moment and all this nonsense of him playing for Leeds or being the best of his generation etc etc makes me wince and if that's not enough he simply underlined it at Cas where a barely interested Gayle showed how it was done.

It makes me laugh that some see Reynolds as the lesser of the two in fact I think I did it myself but he probably is every bit as good but just lacks the pace.

When a player like Hampshire with just a dozen or so SL games at HB is so lauded it shows what a derth of HBs there are in the British game.

Agreed.

Lets be honest if we don`t agree a deal with him he will more than likely be in the championship next season or at very best a utility player at the bottom end of SL.

I like Hampshire and I think he has the potential to develop into one of the best but for god sake we are crying out for an experienced half that can guide us around the field with a kicking game, Finn was maybe half of that.

Plenty of good HBs have managed without pace. Plenty with pace to burn have faded away. The fact that Finn managed to stay at the top for so long shows there is no substitute for class, despite being slower than a sloth.

Seems many do apart from him and his agent. Maybe it is that lack of compromise that has held him back so far as its obvious he has raw ability. I agree with a lot of what has been said he is not coming from the biggest position of strength if he or his agent are playing hardball. I can't see him getting a regular half back gig anywhere else in SL. Not to say he hasn't got the talent just maybe not the experience

Im sure they already have common ground
The issue is as most people are saying is Ryan isn't yet in a position of power to make demands and string things out. IMO it is hurting his relationship with the fans

I hope we re sign him
He is awesome and put his self in that position of power to be able to make them

I've no issue with Max
Not sure what relevance that has in this debate

Just referring back to the comments about Drinkwater leaving Catalans, and being tipped to go to Leeds.

They already have Lolohea and Myler contracted for 2019.

Could he really be going there and possibly playing 2nd fiddle

Saints have lost Smith so could be going there? Or Salford once Hastings leaves?

It was the arbitrary use of the word "demands" by BOJ that I was really trying to highlight in my original post. I was pleased when MC upt the offer to Fifita last year and I never associated that word when his agent came back from Cas and asked for more.
Can you really see MC even continuing talks with anyone who "demands".



That was just a generalisation of the sudden plethora of posts, by many, slagging our younger players off. I prefer to slag the old ones off.

Hampshire is a bit young to be the water carrier.

I was referring to Drinkwater

Sorry, Hampshire is a bit young to be a water drinker.