Transfers rumours

[BPM]

If Itoje wants more money, he'll get it, but I don't know why he'd want to move?

Aside from money, what could any other club offer him that Sarries can't?

He's already in the best side in Europe who improve year on year (as much as it pains me to say) and he has an excellent chance of captaining the side in the short-medium term. If his aspirations are to captain England, playing with the core of the England side can only strengthen his case.

If anything, I could see him being more attracted by the challenge of Super Rugby than anything else in Europe and that wouldn't be a money-motivated move anyway.

 

[TheSaffycen]

If you pay him 1 mill a year that would cause differences in the team. Immediately Billy Vunipola would jump up and say 'if that guys on that, why ain't I getting a huge pay rise?' Farrell the same, the guy who just kicked the lions to a draw and a win over NZ. It would be a foolish move IMO.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

If Damien Mckenzie goes north it will be a case of "would the last Chief to leave please turn out the light?"

It is really tragic how they are losing a lot of their star players as well as their coach and assistant coach (both to the Pro12).

And if it happens to the Chiefs this year there is no reason it won't happen to the other Super Rugby sides the next year. Super Rugby might become more competitive, fast, but not in the way anyone would want. Bloody TV money.

 

[Chief Pete]

A million pound a year on one player is ridiculous regardless of who that is, he's a fantastic player, who will suffer injuries and be away with England alot, so surely rather than a mil on one, split it and get 2 stellar grade A players for half a mil each, if Maro wants the cash he can sacrifice his England career and move to Toulon....

 

[munstermuffin]

Are we creeping toward soccer level $$$$

 

[BPM]

If Damien Mckenzie goes north it will be a case of "would the last Chief to leave please turn out the light?"

It is really tragic how they are losing a lot of their star players as well as their coach and assistant coach (both to the Pro12).

And if it happens to the Chiefs this year there is no reason it won't happen to the other Super Rugby sides the next year. Super Rugby might become more competitive, fast, but not in the way anyone would want. Bloody TV money.

Perhaps, but the main reason for McKenzie heading North would be down to his non-selection for the All Blacks and basically him admitting defeat in the pursuit of World Cup spot.

I don't think it's just about money but with Smith and Dagg still in the picture and Jordie now coming through, he is probably fourth choice at best and I can understand why he's potentially looking to cash in. He can always head badk to NZ post World Cup and put himself in the frame for 2019.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Are we creeping toward soccer level $$$$

Yes.

And that would be no bad thing (to a certain extent) if it was happening across the board, and was reflective of the revenue the game generated....

Alas....

 

[Big_Grumper]

Where's he going?

 

[Chief Pete]

Yes.

And that would be no bad thing (to a certain extent) if it was happening across the board, and was reflective of the revenue the game generated....

Alas....

I don't dispute player's earning a wedge, the good ones are worth every penny, I dispute the wisdom of a club giving someone a million a season with a £7 mil cap in place.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I don't dispute player's earning a wedge, the good ones are worth every penny, I dispute the wisdom of a club giving someone a million a season with a £7 mil cap in place.

Marquee signings are in place for this i guess.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

Yes.

And that would be no bad thing (to a certain extent) if it was happening across the board, and was reflective of the revenue the game generated....

Alas....

My fear is thet Rugby's boom in popularity is coming too late. I know there are concerns in American sports that the tv sports bubble is about to crash and salaries will soon start to decline. That could just be owner b.s. trying to shrink player salaries.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

My fear is thet Rugby's boom in popularity is coming too late. I know there are concerns in American sports that the tv sports bubble is about to crash and salaries will soon start to decline. That could just be owner b.s. trying to shrink player salaries.

Yeh US sports is in a real weird place Right now IMO.

Way too commercial.

 

[GarethGriffiths]

One rumour from Kingsholm is that Braley is definitely off and that Vellacott is going to be his replacement.

We are in the market for a scrum-half, hooker and second-row player as well.

 

[BPM]

Braley's never really looked up to much when I've seen him play. Vellacott looks significantly better.

I'd rather Gloucester develop Randall rather than bring in another scrum half.

Hooker and lock make sense though.

 

[munstermuffin]

On soccer thing. My worry is would it be sustainable?

On Munster expect serious announcements regarding coaching in next few days

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

On soccer thing. My worry is would it be sustainable?

On Munster expect serious announcements regarding coaching in next few days

If tv money keeps pouring in, then yes it will sustainable.

Will every league survive? Probably not.

 

[curtbob7]

So much chat my end about this McKenzie deal. Imagine the scenes with good ball for this backline: Youngs, Ford, Holmes, Toomua, Tuilagi, Vaeinu, McKenzie,

 

[ratsapprentice]

Aye.... attacks are gonna run straight through it's gaping defensive lapses.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Aye.... attacks are gonna run straight through it's gaping defensive lapses.

Not if Toomua stays fit IMO, he is a good defensive leader.


Thompstone starts over Holmes for me esp if we have Veainu and Mckenzie in the other back 3 positions.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

If Itoje wants more money, he'll get it, but I don't know why he'd want to move?

Aside from money, what could any other club offer him that Sarries can't?

He's already in the best side in Europe who improve year on year (as much as it pains me to say) and he has an excellent chance of captaining the side in the short-medium term. If his aspirations are to captain England, playing with the core of the England side can only strengthen his case..

Sarries have always struck me as very smartly run. They have a great team ethos, a fine conveyor belt of talent, and I don't think they'd hesitate to get rid of Itoje or anyone else who was threatening that.

If Itoje continues on his current trajectory his commercial earnings will surely soon dwarf any club earnings.