Get this season out of the way first before having grandiose ideas.

Big rumours coming from Australia that Naiqama is being signed because Barba is going back to the NRL

Hardly, more a case of putting 2+2 together and getting 5. If you’ve read the article then you’ll know the whole thing is littered with if’s and maybe’s. The first line of the quote from the person making the rumours up reads “If Kevin Naiqama goes to St Helens there could be implications there for Ben Barba“. Barba may well and most likely will go back to the NRL at the end of the season but the Naiqama signing likely has little to do with it.

AS108 - I suspect the salary cap would say different. Barba would be the highest earner in SL if he stays (or should be), but Naiqama is an NRL regular who would be able to get a contract elsewhere as well and whilst he wouldn't be on the same as Barba he'd want a decent wedge. In the current era, when we only see the likes of Barba in SL for off-field reasons, Naiqama would be right at the top end of NRL imports, and command a wage reflecting that.

Barba turned down that accolade by signing for Saints this time last year. After seemingly already agreeing terms with Wire when an all expenses paid guest at the Magic weekend, Barba sneaked off to meet up with Saints on a couple of occasions.
Instead Roberts is very much the highest earner in SL followed by Sam T then George W.

I doubt it would, if he was to come and Barba was to stay then he’d be replacing Morgan who will be on decent money himself and there’s no doubt that Matty Smith will leave at the end of the season and he’s definitely on big money. Both of them off the cap is more than enough to cover Naiqama.

So it was reported that Naiqama was looking for 150k last year when he flirted with coming to SL. Assuming this figure is in the right ball park, its entirely possible, as 100k immediately comes from the cap increase - then it comes down to a question of whether Morgan is earning over 50k - and reasonably speaking we can asusme that too. Theres the team that has Naiqama and Barba in the same team (and actually leaving a little space for more).

If Barba goes, it frees up his cap and the marquee spot to bring someone else in. But I suspect it will either be a stand off or another centre with one of Lomax/ Naiqama respectively taking to 1 position up, rather than a like for like replacement.

David 'bang average' Mead wants out of the cesspit as although he is just Bang Average he has visions of grandeur & an ambition to win or at least challenge for some silverware ..... therefore Mr Average seeks an exit from the Calamitously Cataclysmic Cowardly Catalans to just about any Club that isn't a laughing stock ....

He utterly rejected you when he got an offer from a bigger and better club. So stop cryarsing and just deal with it.

If Naiqama replaces Morgan at Saints, coupled with the return of Walmsley, that makes one hell of a strong side for next season.

When was the last time you saw a Championship side playing at Wembley or Old Trafford?

That rules out Leigh then

Regards

King James