Jared Payne signs for Ulster

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

http://www.theblues.co.nz/News/2011-4-1/Payne-signs-with-Ulster.aspx

Blues centre and Northland captain Jared Payne will head for Ireland later this year, having signed to play for Irish club Ulster Rugby.

The 25 year-old has taken up a three year deal with the club and will join them at the completion of his rugby commitments in New Zealand for 2011.

"Making these decisions in the middle of Super Rugby is not easy, but that's the way it works in this game," Payne said.

"I'm really enjoying my rugby and being part of the Blues however, I also have ambitions to play rugby overseas while I am young and fit."

A national age group rep and schools sevens star, Payne made his provincial debut for Waikato in 2006. After spending two seasons there and one with the Chiefs in 2007, Payne moved to Northland in 2008 and captained the side from 2009. In that same year, the dynamic back took up an offer from the Crusaders to play Super 14 Rugby and spent two years with the franchise.

Last year, Payne signed with the Blues and has been having an outstanding 2011 season to date.

"Jared has been impressive for the Blues this year. He grabbed the opportunity for plenty of game time by playing at a consistently high standard and the result is he's in the best form of his career," Blues head coach Pat Lam said.

"It's a real shame Jared won't be with the team in 2012 but that's the nature of professional rugby and the offshore demand for players of his calibre."

He's been signed to play fullback I reckon.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Now confirmed by Ulster:
http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/9219.php

Johann Muller, Ruan Pienaar, Pedrie Wannenburg, John Afoa, Jared Payne and Simon Danielli are Ulsters 6 NIQ players next season. The IRFU supposedly limit the provinces to 5 NIQ players which means either Danielli is retiring or the uncapped Payne is earmarked as a "project player". Robbie Diack will be Ireland qualified this summer so it's entirely possible that Payne takes his spot.

 

[Darwin]

He's been signed to play fullback I reckon.

Really surprised to see Payne leaving NZ rugby, as I thought he would a genuine contender to make the All Blacks after the RWC exodus (Indeed he wouldn't look out of place in an All Blacks jersey right now!). Great signing for Ulster though, as he is a very high quality centre. He's very much in the mould of Conrad Smith (great on defense, runs great lines, distributes well), but probably with a bit more pace. Certainly capable of playing fullback (or wing) though he does seem to play his best rugby at centre.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

He's joining a club on the up with potential to challenge for the Heineken Cup next season.

I read on the Blues website that fullback is his preferred position. That's the position Ulster need to fill more than any other so I'm guessing Payne was told he'd play there which sweetened the deal from his point of view. It's a really impressive signing.

As I've said in the past, fair play to David Humphreys who's making tough decisions and building an excellent squad. He copped a lot of criticism when he released Isaac Boss and Ed O'Donoghue last season before replacing them with the more talented Ruan Pienaar and Johann Muller. He also copped it a month back when BJ Botha moved to Munster but signed the more mobile and less injury prone John Afoa- exactly what Ulster needed.

 

[Shaggy]

Really surprised to see Payne leaving NZ rugby, as I thought he would a genuine contender to make the All Blacks after the RWC exodus (Indeed he wouldn't look out of place in an All Blacks jersey right now!). Great signing for Ulster though, as he is a very high quality centre. He's very much in the mould of Conrad Smith (great on defense, runs great lines, distributes well), but probably with a bit more pace. Certainly capable of playing fullback (or wing) though he does seem to play his best rugby at centre.

I thought the same, but given the number of contenders for the 12 and 13 jerseys, I guess its understandable

 

[Feicarsinn]

Jared Payne
Craig Gilroy
Nevin Spence
Paddy Wallace
Andrew Trimble
Ian Humphreys
Ruan Pienaar

Pedrie Wannenburg
Willie Faloon
Stephen Ferris
Johann Muller
Dan Tuohy
John Afoa
Rory Best
Tom Court

McAllister
Brady
Fitzpatrick
Barker
Diack
Marshall
Jackson
Cave

If Ulster can find themselves a decent reserve TH, Lock and Hooker they'll be a top outfit.

 

[Darwin]

I wonder if Payne has an Irish grandparent? If so I wouldn't be surprised to see him playing for Ireland next year! If not, he might be playing for them in 3 years time when he gets residency....

 

[Aedaphon]

Really surprised to see Payne leaving NZ rugby, as I thought he would a genuine contender to make the All Blacks after the RWC exodus (Indeed he wouldn't look out of place in an All Blacks jersey right now!).

I may be a bit biased to the Crusaders but in my opinion the next few years will be dominated by a Carter, Sonny-Bill Williams and Fruean 10, 12, 13 line up, with Toeava possibly making his way back into the line up. Having said that if he continues playing as he is now I wouldn't be surprised if Payne makes his way back to NZ pre-2015.

 

[smartcooky]

I wonder if Payne has an Irish grandparent? If so I wouldn't be surprised to see him playing for Ireland next year! If not, he might be playing for them in 3 years time when he gets residency....

Bad luck. Even if he did, he has played for both the NZ Sevens and NZ 'A' sides, so he's not eligible for any other country but New Zealand

 

[donmcdazzle]

Bad luck. Even if he did, he has played for both the NZ Sevens and NZ 'A' sides, so he's not eligible for any other country but New Zealand

Good I'm sick of other countries adopting our players for their national teams.

 

[Darwin]

Bad luck. Even if he did, he has played for both the NZ Sevens and NZ 'A' sides, so he's not eligible for any other country but New Zealand

Really? As far as I'm aware he has neither played for the NZ 'A' nor the Sevens side (though I could be wrong) - when did he make these sides?

 

[donmcdazzle]

Really? As far as I'm aware he has neither played for the NZ 'A' nor the Sevens side (though I could be wrong) - when did he make these sides?

SShhhhh let them think he is tied to NZ

 

[Shaggy]

Really? As far as I'm aware he has neither played for the NZ 'A' nor the Sevens side (though I could be wrong) - when did he make these sides?

Wikipedia says he was in NZ Under 21s, but doesn't give the year ... a three year contract should set him up to come back to NZ and put himself in the running for the 2015 World Cup if he's interested

 

[nickdnz]

Wikipedia says he was in NZ Under 21s, but doesn't give the year ... a three year contract should set him up to come back to NZ and put himself in the running for the 2015 World Cup if he's interested

That's true, but I'm fairly certain age grade rugby doesn't count in terms of selection. I know there are quite a few exponents of U21 teams, playing in different national teams around the world.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Good I'm sick of other countries adopting our players for their national teams.

TBH I'd be with you on that one. Anyway, we've got enough emerging talent at centre and fullback to tide us over for quite some time.

 

[cyRil]

Cracking signing for de Uuulstarmen!

 

[Peat]

Wikipedia says he was in NZ Under 21s, but doesn't give the year ... a three year contract should set him up to come back to NZ and put himself in the running for the 2015 World Cup if he's interested

Not binding. We'd look like dicks if he was bound to NZ as he's the new project player. Poach ahoy.

Feicarsinn, when's the last time someone nicked one of Ireland's emerging talents? Other than Paul Doran-Jones... if you count him as a talent...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Feicarsinn, when's the last time someone nicked one of Ireland's emerging talents? Other than Paul Doran-Jones... if you count him as a talent...

Give over, Ireland would give their left bollock for a second prop that doesn't get annihilated every scrum

 

[durbutter]

Not binding. We'd look like dicks if he was bound to NZ as he's the new project player. Poach ahoy.

Feicarsinn, when's the last time someone nicked one of Ireland's emerging talents? Other than Paul Doran-Jones... if you count him as a talent...

Shane Geraghty...........

 

[TRF C A Iversen]

I'd of thought the the talent would be more than strong enough up there without another Southern player like this. Put the money into a local youngster.