Comments on: Top 10 transfers of the summer so far

By: rico

rico — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 20:09:41 +0000

Sorry I should have been clearer – as in playing for Wales, rather than anything to do with Cardiff Blues. Mind you if there is a problem he can always get a passport and play 7′s then he’s sorted!

By: Gwyn Parry-Jones

Gwyn Parry-Jones — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 16:23:55 +0000

Rico,
There’s no problem with Anscombe – he’s signed, he’s coming!

By: Rico

Rico — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 11:34:13 +0000

Didn’t Anscombe play for New Zealand Juniors v Wales U20 in the IRB junior world cup in 2011? If so doesn’t that mean he’s tied to NZ unless they give permission?

By: Jonny

Jonny — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 10:56:12 +0000

From this list, Anscombe is the biggest signing for me. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him playing 10 for Wales in the near future, even though he will probably play at 15 for the Blues.

Speaks volumes about the strength in depth of NZ rugby when an U20 WC winning player, playing for one of the strongest NZ teams (in recent years) has to move in his early twenties to get a shot at the international stage.

Leiua I’m also excited to see. If the Wasps back line can all stay fit I see no reason why they can’t challenge for top honours this year.

I think the Aviva will be much closer this year. Saracens, saints, quins, Leicester, bath, Gloucester and wasps could all be much more competitive with each other.

By: Als

Als — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 07:56:01 +0000

The best signings have to be players that are unlikely to miss club matches do to international call ups.. Someone like Ben Mowen is a superb signing for Montpellier, likewise Toby Flood for Toulouse. Neemia Tialata, also at Toulouse now, or John Afoa’s move to Gloucester are also perfect signings.
If you look at Habana for example, has he really been money well spent by Boudjellal? He spent the bulk of last season out injured, originally damaging in hamstring whilst on international duty, but the great man managed only one try in just 10 games for Toulon.
Very interested to see how Halfpenny does at Toulon – Delon Armitage, love him or hate him, has been a key player for Laporte’s side in the last two seasons.
Two signings slightly under the radar are Zac Guildford to Clermont and Gio Aplon to Grenoble. If Guildford sorts himself out off the field, and with Jonno Gibbes now part of the Clermont coaching staff he has a perfect Kiwi mentor, he could be a great additional to the Top 14.

By: Max

Max — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 18:38:40 +0000

Thomas waldrom from Leicester to Exeter???

By: Geat

Geat — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 16:01:02 +0000

Almost all of the clips you’ll be seeing of Burgess are when you could tackle without arms in League. Luckily for us, for this season they finally changed that rule, so he’ll have had a full season of tackling “properly” before coming to Bath.

By: Leinstertainer

Leinstertainer — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 15:59:16 +0000

What about Mils Muliaina to Connacht, or Bundee Aki to the same squad?

And Burgess better learn how to tackle or he’ll spend more time in the sin bin than on the park. Union refs, especially in the NH, are far less forgiving than their league counterparts.

By: bedlam9999

bedlam9999 — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 13:37:57 +0000

kane douglas to leinster?

By: Stevo

Stevo — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 11:55:31 +0000

Scrimmaging? Ffs…

By: Stevo

Stevo — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 11:54:57 +0000

If John Afoa can show the form he did in his first couple of seasons at Ulster I think you may be right. Tight-heads of his quality are few and far between and he could make a massive difference to Gloucester given their well-documented scrimmaging problems. When he’s on his game he’s also a pretty devastating ball-carrier in the loose as well, so himself and Hibbard should add some much needed grunt up front.

By: Rodgers

Rodgers — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 11:30:29 +0000

My thoughts were the same on Hibbard / Afoa. Although you might argue that one without the other still leaves the Gloucester front row looking pretty weak.

Couple of big ones that might warrant inclusion;

James Hook – replacement for Burns and hopefully gets a long run at 10 instead of chopping and changing along the back line. Based on Burns’ inconsistent form last year they’ve picked up a better player

Alesana Tuilagi – if he’s still anywhere near as good as he used to be, Falcons have a game winning player on their roster. The kind of players they need to avoid a relegation fight