Sarg does down here in NZ. I often speak with his old man through work. Good bloke.

Why is it poor business?

The alternative to is to try and sell them early before their contracts are up just to raise cash which means you lose their services to the team and have to find replacements anyway. You can't force them to sign a new deal just so the club can raise a fee so if a good player sees his contract out that is what you want.

Anyone up for a Pat Richards return? Just in case Burgess wants to stay another year at Roosters?

I very much doubt Pat would be, I'm sure he said the main reason for coming back over was to live in France and experience the lifestyle.

I usually take what players say when they sign for a new club with a pinch of salt.

Usually along the lines of 'I spoke to (insert ex player for club from Aus/NZ) and he recommended it, (insert club name) is a great club with a lot of history I'll do my best to get (insert club name) back to the lofty heights that they experienced (insert last successful period of the club).

If they sign for Catalans it's the culture, if it's a UK team they mention the history.

I reckon he'd snap out hand off to be honest and that gives us time to find the right winger and not just what is available at the end of the season, it gives us longer to scout.

I dunno, I find it hard to imagine that the club didn't put out some informal feelers to PR when he left the NRL. I would have thought, if he wanted to be here, he'd be here.