2013 State of Play(Roosters) NRL.Com

[SConcierge]

That Moltzen deal had a yr to go and the Tigs had not released him in order to register the new contract with the queers....Sonnys deal ends in feb and he is a free agent so they should be able to register it.

Any how seems to u much more about it then me cheers mate

[Guest]

Slightly off subject but what is the drama with the Brett Stewart contract do you know?

Is it simply bad maths?

Manly have gone quiet on that issue.No doubt trying to find a third party rort to fit him in...

[theGman]

The NRL cannot register his contract whilst he is still contracted elsewhere.Febuary he is a free agent and will be registered then if we can show he has not put us over the cap...

Hence Masoe to Penrith. They offered him slightly more.

[Guest]

Slightly off subject but what is the drama with the Brett Stewart contract do you know?

Is it simply bad maths?

Manly have gone quiet on that issue.No doubt trying to find a third party rort to fit him in...

Who are Manly?

It's Kaspersky now....

[Guest]

He's a gluten for punishment, ya gotta love him.

Pun intended?

[Guest]

http://www.nrl.com/2013-state-of-pla...1/default.aspx

With a rookie NRL head coach in charge and a couple of big name signings the Roosters could become the surprise of season 2013.

Strengths: After a couple of disappointing, under-performing seasons the Roosters should reap immediate benefit from talented former Warriors playmaker James Maloney. Five-eighth Maloney’s astute attacking brain and strong running game will take a heap of pressure off halfback Mitchell Pearce who has pretty much shouldered the load for the tri-colours since Todd Carney’s inglorious departure in 2011. Pearce copped a barrage of criticism for less-than-stellar form in 2012; in truth though without a co-creative option outside him (no disrespect to long-serving clubman Braith Anasta) Pearce was mostly left to push the plays, often culminating in errors or turnovers. (It should be remembered Pearce excelled for NSW when partnered with Carney.) Few in the No.6 jersey make the impact Maloney does – in particular his ability to puncture opposition defensive lines was unmatched by other pivots in 2012. He also possesses good clearing and attacking kicking games; with Pearce on one side of the field and Maloney calling the shots on the other we expect the Roosters to pose plenty of problems once they hit the red zone.

Although it has yet to be rubber-stamped, Sonny Bill Williams’ arrival will add a hard edge in defence and some serious offloading ability in centre-field and on the edges. When he last graced the NRL arena SBW was somewhat of a revolutionary promoter of the Steeden, his belated offloads catching oppositions off guard time and again. Providing he and his supports limit errors we can see the Roosters posting plenty of points from long range, turning. Williams will no doubt bond strongly with a pack boasting countrymen Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Frank-Paul Nuuausala, as well as backs Shaun Kenny-Dowall and BJ Leilua.

Also, new coach Trent Robinson is a huge plus. Importantly, Robinson was the man in charge of defence as the Roosters stormed through to the 2010 decider; his departure to the Catalan Dragons in 2011-12 coincided with some lacklustre tackling efforts.

Weaknesses: While James Maloney is a plus in the attacking ledger, his suspect defence could be considered a minus. He ranked near the top of all players for missed tackles in 2012 and no five-eighth missed more. They can’t afford to have him develop into a speed hump at Bondi.

Indeed, the Roosters need to develop some red-white-and-blue steel all around the park – they conceded the second-most tries by any side last season. And they need to put a lid on their error count, which was the worst in the 2012 premiership.

However, their biggest vulnerability appears to be their inability to get over the advantage line – incredibly, given the balanced mobility and bulk of their forward pack, the Roosters trudged out the fewest average metres gained this year. And no forward managed triple figures in metres – simply unforgivable in the modern game.

Last, the first half of the season looms as a danger period out wide, with Tautau Moga recuperating from a knee injury. New recruit Michael Oldfield (ex-Manly) should get his chance to shine but will need to hit the ground running.

The first part of the Strengths part really highlights what a farkin handicap that fraud Anasta was to the club.

Nicely written piece

[Burnt Rooster]

Yes, a good article, and pretty much spot on, and he was right to be harsh on us previously, because we were shit, but least we starting with a new clean slate now, and thats why I prompted in my earlier thread, naming your 2013 side, for Sam Moa to start the season, we do need abit of mongrel, from game one, and Moa will provide that.

[Cockadoodledoo]

The NRL cannot register his contract whilst he is still contracted elsewhere.Febuary he is a free agent and will be registered then if we can show he has not put us over the cap...

This is completely untrue. The contract has been submitted to the NRL. Shane Mattiske was quoted saying they are reviewing the contract and will register once that is complete. Players have signed from rival clubs, codes before and have been registered whilst contracted elsewhere.

[Cockadoodledoo]

This is completely untrue. The contract has been submitted to the NRL. Shane Mattiske was quoted saying they are reviewing the contract and will register once that is complete. Players have signed from rival clubs, codes before and have been registered whilst contracted elsewhere.

For futher evidence for the non believers...

http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/n...5#.UNCBfay6WSo



Sydney Roosters aren't concerned their marquee signing Sonny Bill Williams' return to the NRL is in danger of heading down the same path as Israel Folau's aborted comeback to the code.

Five weeks after the dual international was finally unveiled as the club's biggest recruit in years, Williams' one-year contract is yet to be officially registered by the NRL's salary cap auditor Ian Schubert.

The 27-year-old is expected at training with the Roosters in just over 50 days after he finishes his rugby union commitments in Japan and fights South African Francois Botha in a heavyweight boxing bout.

But Roosters fans might be feeling a bit jittery that the strapping New Zealander's $550,000 deal hasn't been ratified, potentially jeopardising an emotion-charged return to rugby league after walking out on the Bulldogs in 2008.

Folau walked away from a return to the NRL with Parramatta earlier this month, opting for a switch to rugby union with the NSW Waratahs as he ''couldn't wait any longer sitting around'' for his contract to be sorted out.

However, Sydney Roosters chief operating officer Brian Canavan isn't fretting over the time taken to get Williams' deal ticked off and still hopes for a resolution over the next week.

''We're just exchanging correspondence back and forth (with the NRL),'' said Canavan on Tuesday.

''It's just the process that happens with these more extended contracts.

''The sooner the better. It would be lovely before Christmas.''

Canavan even suggested the reported jump in the salary cap from $5.85 million in 2013 to $6.3 million in 2014 will put the club in a strong position to extend the in-demand Williams' stay at Bondi Junction.

''We'd like to make him as comfortable and as happy as we can so he looks to our club to be his future,'' he said.

''We've just got to let that unfold.

''He wants to prove himself again in rugby league. If that's comfortable with him, we'll have further chats with him as soon as he opens the door.''

Canavan also isn't worried about Williams' February 8 bout in Brisbane in light of Cronulla captain Paul Gallen's elbow injury that flared up boxing in Auckland last weekend.

''That's the risk you take,'' he said.

''The physical preparation leading up to a fight is incredibly intense and that actually benefits them.''

Williams is expected to pull on the famous red, white and blue jersey for the Roosters' last trial match against the Wests Tigers on February 23 at Allianz Stadium.

Read more: http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/n...#ixzz2FPnZU2Xb

[Guest]

I cant see the signing not coming off, I dont think Nick would allow himself to be embarrassed like that.

It will happen.