Perhaps he's been signed just to give young Brierley a few lessons. (Like picking the right moment to pass the ball or even to learn to look where he is passing it.) Ryan is a great player, but prone to odd decisions on the park occasionally (the wild pass against Sheffield this afternoon for example.) For my money we should be looking for a full back. Macco has got too nonchalant lately, and his defence isn't always the greatest. Just an observation.

I'm just not sure about this and I hope it's not the sign of things to come. I keep having flashbacks of our SL year when we signed all those god awful over-the-hill SL players.

Also, these Aussies cost a bloomin fortune to keep, what with their flights, houses, cars etc.


In fairness I thought Ben was a great player when he last played over here and PR obviously wouldn't have signed him on a whim so I presume he's still 'got it'. In any case, he is now an adopted Leyther and I can't wait to see what he brings to the party. I just hope he's still hungry for the game and not just looking for a pay day before he retires.

But please, please, please - no more ageing players.

just one point we are not in Super League, and it will be two years before we can be so one would doubt this being a signing for SL but one to get us there as perhaps Gavin Clinch was one for Salford back in 2003.
Just an observation.

Also, there are those on here who would get all excited if we signed a 67 year old one legged alcoholic with other "personal issues"!!

Jeffries has signed a 2 year deal - Leigh could be in Super League in the 2nd of those years, and will need to compete against SL level clubs next season to earn that right.

Well me and charlie wanted a experienced half back, and now we have one. Lets put our trust in rowley and beaumont.

Paul Rowley has a reasonable success rate in picking the right players, so I'll reserve judgement until I see Ben playing. Far too much doom mongering for a fan base of a team thats 12 points clear at the top of the table. At the end of the day we are still a Championship team next year and don't have the same budget as a Super League club.

Have to admit I'm underwhelmed by this signing. Hope I'm proven wrong though

As I said in a previous post on the Chris Hill thread - in my opinion - age is one factor and must be balanced with a player's quality, fitness and attitude.
Ben Jeffries was a class act in Super League and as we all know, quality halves throughout the game are about as rare as rocking horse manure.
If Kes and Riddy can't pick up a bucket load of help in their development, in a full time environment, from a guy like Ben Jeffries then I am Dutchman.
We also need more cover in the halves if we are to kick on from here.
I'm backing Paul Rowley's judgement (as well as Derek's) - their track record to date stands up very well to scrutiny.

Outstanding player with a good work ethic will bring bags of experience to our squad which will benefit the club.Great signing

True but with another £1.4m of funding if he isn't cutting it he will be loaned out, if cutting it then what a bargain
Time will tell, Paul seems to know the mix he wants

I would think Oliver Wilkes would have been consulted about the man's attitude etc? Must have given his approval one would think.

I must admit when I first saw the signing I had flashbacks of 2005, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Let's be honest, there haven't been too many mistakes in recruitment in the last couple of years and there's no substitute for experience, especially to help Riddy, Brierley and even Ward to progress to the next level.

Let's trust the judgement of PR and give the bloke a chance.