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Im a Rhinos fan that lives in Melbourne and I genuinely cannot see Widdopp leaving the Storm for Leeds. It doesn't suprise me we've asked and I would LOVE to see him in a Leeds shirt despite it meaning that I would only see him live a couple of times a year but for me that will never happen anytime soon. He's really valued at the Storm and when Slater got injured and he moved back to Full Back, Melbourne seemed to lack real direction in the halves. For me he is one of the real unsung heroes in that Storm team. I doubt they would let him go easily. He also has a young family in Melbourne, which again I suspect is a reason more to stay there than come to Leeds.
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Widdop would be brilliant but just can't see it. As for briscoe he has potential but I think some nrl teams would be in for him
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| Quote Fab Mas="Fab Mas"Im a Rhinos fan that lives in Melbourne and I genuinely cannot see Widdopp leaving the Storm for Leeds. It doesn't suprise me we've asked and I would LOVE to see him in a Leeds shirt despite it meaning that I would only see him live a couple of times a year but for me that will never happen anytime soon. He's really valued at the Storm and when Slater got injured and he moved back to Full Back, Melbourne seemed to lack real direction in the halves. For me he is one of the real unsung heroes in that Storm team. I doubt they would let him go easily. He also has a young family in Melbourne, which again I suspect is a reason more to stay there than come to Leeds.'"
Welcome to the forum and you're supporting the Rhinos in Melbourne! The message only said we had enquired to the Storm about Widdop and probably GH got the response you have mentioned. However there's no harm in at least seeing who is available. I know Widdop's got a young family but he also still has loads of connections in Yorkshire as he's only lived in Melbourne for 6/7 years. Let's hope Gary H has persuaded Storm to let him go! |
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| Quote rhino2009="rhino2009"Quote rhino2009="Frosties."No to Briscoe, will be going to the NRL at the end of his contract. Hearing rumours that we have enquired to Melbourne Storm for Gareth Widdop.'"
I've heard the same rumour. It makes sense, a young English international and can play in any back postion. He's only been in Aus 6/7 years and has lots of friends and family in West Yorkshire.'"
Is this guy for real - surely rhino2009 is somebody on a wind up - nobody is this naive.
On the subject of Widdop - massively overrated. He's one of those 'steady eddies' that Bellamy packs his teams with. Smith, Cronk and Slater make that team tick, along with Bellamys' structures. Although Widdop plays 6, he does zero organising, and minimal kicking. If Slater or Cronk are available at first receiver, they get the ball over Widdop every time.
The reason Melbourne were disjointed when Widdop moved to 1 was because Slater wasn't playing, not because Widdop wasn't at 6.
Add Widdop to a long line of decent players Bellamy has made look like world beaters (See also Bryan Norrie, Sika Manu, Dane Neilson, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Todd Lowry, even Ryan Tandy looked good enough for the Doggies to snap him up) by playing them in such a good structure, marshalled by 3 superstars. People just see that Widdop is playing 6 for Melbourne and automatically think that makes him a superstar.
Even though there isn't a shred of truth in this rumour, he wouldn't bring anything to the table that we don't already have. |
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I disagree about Widdopp - he will be a much better 6 than you give him credit for. It should be no surprise that he's not a 'go to' man at the moment with the others you mentioned in the team, but when he does get the ball he looks class.
If anything the problem the Storm have when e.g. Cronk is out is that 90% of their plays go through the big 3, and when even one of them is out they lose their attacking structure. I thought Bellamy might have looked to spread the load a bit more this year by including Widdopp in more attacking plays, but he's sticking with the game plan.
That's nothing at all to do with whether Leeds will sign him. Even if he was available and interested (which I don't believe), who would make way - Sinfield, McGuire, Ward?.
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| Quote BrisbaneRhino="BrisbaneRhino"I disagree about Widdopp - he will be a much better 6 than you give him credit for. It should be no surprise that he's not a 'go to' man at the moment with the others you mentioned in the team, but when he does get the ball he looks class.
If anything the problem the Storm have when e.g. Cronk is out is that 90% of their plays go through the big 3, and when even one of them is out they lose their attacking structure. I thought Bellamy might have looked to spread the load a bit more this year by including Widdopp in more attacking plays, but he's sticking with the game plan.
That's nothing at all to do with whether Leeds will sign him. Even if he was available and interested (which I don't believe), who would make way - Sinfield, McGuire, Ward?.'"
Dont get me wrong, I think he's decent, and is a great broken field runner, but I don't see him as an organiser or 'go to' man. The point about 90% of plays going through those 3 means that he doesn't get to show those skills often enough - he may be capable of doing it, but doesn't get the opportunity.
This is why I wouldn't have him at 6 for England or Leeds - other than broken field running, because of the role he plays at 6 for Melbourne, he shows nothing in the weekly NRL rounds that puts him above the likes of Sinfield, McGuire, Lomax, Brough etc. |
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www.therhinos.co.uk/news/20023.php
World Champions Leeds Rhinos are delighted to announce the capture of Penrith Panthers forward Mitch Achurch, 24, on a four year contract from the 2013 season.
Achurch, who previously played at North Queensland Cowboys, broke into the Penrith NRL side this season. The 6'5" 18 stone forward has made eight appearances in the NRL so far this season for Penrith, including this weekend's defeat at Melbourne. His mother was born in London and moved to Australia as a teenager however Achurch is looking forward to coming back to the UK. He can play in the front row and back row but has also played in the centres.
He commented, "I am really pleased to have signed for four years at the Rhinos. It was obviously a big decision for me but my mum still has a lot of family in England and this feels like the right decision for me. Growing up, every kid dreams of playing in the NRL and I have done that now and it was flattering to have both Penrith and Manly keen to sign me. But, having spoken to Gary Hetherington and Brian McDermott, I am really pleased to join up with the Rhinos. I think the Super League competition will suit my natural game and I am excited about coming over to England for the next four years at least but hopefully longer.
"My first focus is coming over and doing my best for Leeds Rhinos but obviously with my heritage that would make me available for England and the World Cup next year. There is a long way to go between now and then and I need to be playing well but training and playing with world class players at the Rhinos can only help me to develop as a player," added Achurch.
Leeds Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hetherington said, "We are delighted to have signed a young player with outstanding potential on a long term contract from the NRL. In the current market it is becoming increasingly difficult to sign players who are at the peak of their game from Australia however the challenge is to spot emerging talent and we believe we have got an exciting prospect in Mitch, who will fit in well with the dynamic within our current squad."
Head Coach Brian McDermott added, "We are always looking to identify young talent both in Super League and elsewhere and Mitch is someone we were keen to sign once we have spotted his potential. At 24, he is obviously not the finished product but it has been great to speak to him and hear his appetite to develop and fulfil his potential here at the Rhinos over the next four seasons."
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www.therhinos.co.uk/news/20023.php
World Champions Leeds Rhinos are delighted to announce the capture of Penrith Panthers forward Mitch Achurch, 24, on a four year contract from the 2013 season.
Achurch, who previously played at North Queensland Cowboys, broke into the Penrith NRL side this season. The 6'5" 18 stone forward has made eight appearances in the NRL so far this season for Penrith, including this weekend's defeat at Melbourne. His mother was born in London and moved to Australia as a teenager however Achurch is looking forward to coming back to the UK. He can play in the front row and back row but has also played in the centres.
He commented, "I am really pleased to have signed for four years at the Rhinos. It was obviously a big decision for me but my mum still has a lot of family in England and this feels like the right decision for me. Growing up, every kid dreams of playing in the NRL and I have done that now and it was flattering to have both Penrith and Manly keen to sign me. But, having spoken to Gary Hetherington and Brian McDermott, I am really pleased to join up with the Rhinos. I think the Super League competition will suit my natural game and I am excited about coming over to England for the next four years at least but hopefully longer.
"My first focus is coming over and doing my best for Leeds Rhinos but obviously with my heritage that would make me available for England and the World Cup next year. There is a long way to go between now and then and I need to be playing well but training and playing with world class players at the Rhinos can only help me to develop as a player," added Achurch.
Leeds Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hetherington said, "We are delighted to have signed a young player with outstanding potential on a long term contract from the NRL. In the current market it is becoming increasingly difficult to sign players who are at the peak of their game from Australia however the challenge is to spot emerging talent and we believe we have got an exciting prospect in Mitch, who will fit in well with the dynamic within our current squad."
Head Coach Brian McDermott added, "We are always looking to identify young talent both in Super League and elsewhere and Mitch is someone we were keen to sign once we have spotted his potential. At 24, he is obviously not the finished product but it has been great to speak to him and hear his appetite to develop and fulfil his potential here at the Rhinos over the next four seasons."
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The world cup?
Unless everyone else is injured he hasn't got a hope.
Explains how he got his visa though.
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24 and hasn't played NRL till this year. TBH not being a Panthers watcher I hadn't heard of him. 4 years seems a bit of a gamble, but the passport and eligibility for GB issue made him more interesting than many.
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Two shoulder reconstructions when he was at the Cowboys, but came back from those to earn himself a contract at Penrith and break into first grade. Signs of a good attitude and work ethic.
I can see him filling the loose forward role as an extra big man in the middle. A replacement for Bailey?
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| Quote Andy Gilder="Andy Gilder"Two shoulder reconstructions when he was at the Cowboys, but came back from those to earn himself a contract at Penrith and break into first grade. Signs of a good attitude and work ethic.
I can see him filling the loose forward role as an extra big man in the middle. A replacement for Bailey?'"
I think it is more likely to indicate a full time move to the centres for Ablett, as well as maybe the loss of Huaraki which has been rumoured.
The Club would be stupid to no resign Bailey, especially given his age and form compared to other forwards in the squad |
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