It seems to happen across the league; the club would just contact the agent and say they are interested and then the player would ask the club for permission to speak to other clubs...that's how I assume it'd work anyway.

The are obviously ways round it as I've known players we signed and players we've lost way before.

I don't think it's illegal to contact their agent I don't think which is silly really.

It's definitely not illegal, it's just against the RFL's bylaws I believe. I'm sure Rogues could quote us chapter and verse from said to prove we're in the wrong here.

I started a rumour ages ago about Manu coming to Saints in the hope it would come true.
Would be a great signing.

I don't see why it is illegal/against bylaws etc to approach a player in his last year of his contract; it just seems to be a pointless rule that is regularly 'broken'

goes well to putting a bit of bulk in the pack:
Perry Roby LMS
Manu Sia
TP
bit of go forward, and then having flash, dixon, wilkin, le frank, mcguniess

Yea the same site that broke the news about Simmons.

If a player is in contract negotiations, then whilst he can't sign for another club, is there anything to stop him checking?

I would imagine it goes Hull offer Manu a contract, his agents goes , hmmm I can probably get better for you (ME) elsewhere. They turn down the offer. At this point the club can
1. enforce anti-tampering
2. offer a better deal.
3. Say that's our best deal but you are more than welcome to have a look and see if you can get better

My understanding of the deadline means he cannot sign for another club, so Hull will always get the last say, in that they can offer a contract at the last minute to snatch him back, as he will not have been able to sign anything till after the deadline. But maybe a check on the rules is needed.

I wouldn't expect anything less.

I'd bet you 10p I was the first person to name Manu on here.

hmmmm
will have to do a quick search of when I mentioned it.

10p says it was me

He'll be a great addition, hope it comes off

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/17745027 They seem to really want him to stay.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/17745027 They seem to really want him to stay.

thats sounds to me like they're resound to losing him. They've paid big for Ellis so wont have offered him the earth

That's how I read it to.

Seeing as sia has been one our best players this year if not our best player then willie Manu ain't doing to bad either www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2012 Also compares pretty well to what the pie chompers say is best backrow in super league www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2012

Seeing as sia has been one our best players this year if not our best player then willie Manu ain't doing to bad either www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2012 Also compares pretty well to what the pie chompers say is best backrow in super league www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2012

I have no doubt that Manu is a top player, but we curretnly have an unbalanced squad, with a shed load of backrowers, including TP and Sia, who offer similar things to him. We must have a list of priorities for the players we want, I cant see a back rower being a high priority, especially on big bucks. I'd sooner see the money go on a prop, scrum half, centre, or genuine winger.

Flannery is leaving and needs replacing so I do see the need to sign Manu. He brings something different that we ain't got

Manu is a top player and my opinion would walk into any side. I would love him to stay but if you do get him, well done and enjoy

We do need another prop, maybe 2. But and this is the crunch. Given the choice of say Manu a 2nd rower or O'Meley a prop from Hull also OOC. Which brings more to the party??

Also just because we are looking at a backrower, it does not mean we are not looking for props.

I think the scrum half situation will not change until Brown is in charge. Do we really want to tie Browns hands in terms of half backs anymore than they already have been. So sign another halfback would mean brown could have no halfbback choices in his 3 years at Saints. He will already be struggling with Lance, Lomax till 2015 and Gaskell and Wheeler on 2 and 3 year deals.

I know we all want to fix everything now, but you can change the team from year to year, I'd imagine Manu would be a short term deal.

The overseas quota says we can't sign shrek but lets us sign Manu.

I think we do need a prop because IMO perry isn't up to it anymore and can only offer a decent 20 mins which isn't good enough but I still think we should sign Manu as flannery replacement.

We need to sign a prop because Magennis is no prop and he's our fifth choice prop.

Cant find it,
You might be right though.

Might have posted it on the Hull board.
Just did it to wind them up.

I agree he would walk into any SL side. So hard to tackle and would be great for Saints

yeah i agree with others that we may need a prop before another back rower BUT if the back row is Manu, Sia and TP they will hide a lesser prop