Leeds will need a few players like Achurch in the coming seasons. Average Joes who'll do nothing more than bridge the gap between the ageing stars departing (Peacock, Sinfield etc) and the youngsters coming up. a 4-year deal seems about right.

That's a super positive post from you, you think he's a good signing don't you

Whats hulls excuse then, oh wait aminute just thro money at it itll be rite

Mac likes lots of second rowers. He will replace Burrow and Mcguire with forwards come the time

Was that supposed to be English?

Huraki and Kirke to leave then? Ablett to move to centre perminently?

There's another vid of Achurch on youtube.. where he makes his debut for Penrith.. the commentary team of Warren and Sterling like the look of him very much indeed!! Say he's a very good prospect

again.. another good effort

It's more to do with the exchange rate rather than the salary cap. A decade ago, SL clubs could purchase an NRL player by matching or improving on the offer he had down under. Therefore when there were 3 dollars to the pound, an Aussie on A$300K a year could be persuaded to join a SL club for £150K as it represented A$450K. Today, any Aussie player looking for the equivalent of A$450K would require a SL club to offer a salary of over £300K!


I'm still waiting for someone to utter the comments... big unit, no nonsense, Glanville/Furner type signing, will do a solid job, etc, but that's a bit difficult given that hardly anyone has ever heard of him.

I'm hopeful that he'll go better than Cross and Hauraki.

I'm disappointed with the signing. Basically Mitch Achurch is a reserve grade player who has played a handful of games for a team that are favourites for the NRL wooden spoon! He's a big unit but has had major shoulder injuries in the past. I assume that GH must have been recommended to sign him for his possible potential. If you remember both Gary and Brian McD said we would only sign players who could add quality and experience to the team. On the face of it Achhurch could fail on both counts. GH said he was after changing the squad so I hope this signing works but as part of a bigger overall.

I don't think you've quite grasped the current reality WRT overseas signings. The opportunities no longer exist to sign top class imports so I'm afraid the days of the sleeve signing the likes of Bell, Cross, Hauraki, Barnhill, Mathiou, Millard and Donald are a thing of the past. Expect to be disappointed with overseas signing announcements for a very long time.

I understand the reality of any signings with the impact of the cap, exchange rate etc. I'm only repeating what our leaders said! Of the names you mentioned only Donald was good but others unnamed have been excellent ie Ali, Buderus etc. I would have thought Achurch will be paid at a minimum level and will not trouble the salary cap.

I think this could be a good signing.

Being very blunt I'd get rid of Hauraki, Kirke & Clarkson and then we'd have a solid set of back row options whilst also being able to give youth a chance due to the squad not being 'overstocked' on back rowers.

I'd go with a starting back row of Delaney, Achurch and Ward with JJB on the bench thus reducing his game time.