DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
ComeAllWithin (Harlequins Rugby)
HTML https://comeallwithin.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: ComeAllWithin Board
*****************************************************
#Post#: 79901--------------------------------------------------
Transfers - what do we actually need?
DIR By: Quinston Churchill
Date: December 15, 2021, 2:45 am
---------------------------------------------------------
With January rapidly approaching and the a few moves already
being announced, I’m curious to see what we do/who we go for?
Seeing big name players like Ford, Pollard and Koch etc. moving
around is one thing, but I don’t know if we need to make a
statement signing?
I think we’re in an interesting position where our first XV
doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses which probably means it’s
more a case of strengthening the squad. Depth is going to be
important we’re likely to be losing more key players to England
than we have in a good while. However, I feel like our academy
could be our trump card here - particularly given the cap is
reducing for next season - which means we might see players like
Anyanwu and Beard getting more game time. Other clubs don’t seem
to have that kind of quality coming through.
If you’d have asked me 6mths ago, I would have put a lock as a
priority but with Lamb having improved so much and Tizard
looking very promising, the second row feels fairly well
resourced. Even more so if Hammond can make the grade too (I
actually thought he was better than Tizard at U20 level).
For me, a back up loosehead is the main priority. SGB has never
convinced and would be fairly lucky to get his contract renewed
IMO. Els looked promising, but has spent pretty much the
entirety of his time at Quins injured so I’m not too sure he’ll
be retained (he won’t be expensive though, so he might be?).
We’ve been linked with Lewis Boyce (Bath) and Pete Dooley from
Leinster. I’d be happy with either of those TBH.
Beyond that, we could potentially upgrade some of our back row
options, but Taulani could prove to be the kind of player we
needed, so it’s not a definite.
Thoughts?
#Post#: 79904--------------------------------------------------
Re: Transfers - what do we actually need?
DIR By: Fearless Fred
Date: December 15, 2021, 3:01 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I think we look okay so far at 11 to 15. Tommy Allen and Will
Edwards are so far working out okay as backups to Marcus (when
they're fit!). Scrum Half is somewhere we may need to see a
refresh. A lot depends on contract dates. Steele may be coming
to the end of his contract & if he's keen on trying to break
into the Scottish squad he may get lured North. We've only seen
a slight glimpse of Gjaltema so it's too soon to say if he's a
long-term backup/replacement for Danny. Who can even say if he
wants to stay in the UK. Maybe he would want to get a couple of
years experience in the NH before heading back down to NZ to
progress his career there too.
#Post#: 79905--------------------------------------------------
Re: Transfers - what do we actually need?
DIR By: Carbonm
Date: December 15, 2021, 3:07 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I'd agree with you QC, loosehead cover would be a priority.
Someone mentioned we were interested in signign Zac Mercer which
I would be happy with, he'd give us more options at 8 if
Dombrandt was unavailable and would fit in with our playing
style, also a good bench option and he probably has a point to
prove like Will Evans did and would be hungry to show what he
can do.
If a top class hooker was available I'd consider that. Walker
has been a decent signing but not at the level Baldwin was
performing at last season. We do have good prospects coming
through there though so not a priority.
To be honest I'm quite happy with the squad and wouldn't make
too many changes, guess it depends on who is moving on and who
is staying.
#Post#: 79907--------------------------------------------------
Re: Transfers - what do we actually need?
DIR By: Quinston Churchill
Date: December 15, 2021, 3:34 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I agree that as it stands, Walker is a step down from the level
Baldwin was at when he left us, but then it took Baldwin a good
while to find his form with us and I’d argue that Walker’s work
rate and play outside of the set piece is better than Baldwin’s
was in the early days.
Walker’s darts don’t actually look too bad, but the timing with
the locks is off. Hopefully Jerry can sort that out. If he can,
we have a good hooker on our hands.
Mercer would be an excellent signing, but I’m not sure we
actually need him. Particularly given he wouldn’t be cheap.
--- Quote from: Fearless Fred link ---
>
> I think we look okay so far at 11 to 15. Tommy Allen and Will
Edwards are so far working out okay as backups to Marcus (when
they're fit!). Scrum Half is somewhere we may need to see a
refresh. A lot depends on contract dates. Steele may be coming
to the end of his contract & if he's keen on trying to break
into the Scottish squad he may get lured North. We've only seen
a slight glimpse of Gjaltema so it's too soon to say if he's a
long-term backup/replacement for Danny. Who can even say if he
wants to stay in the UK. Maybe he would want to get a couple of
years experience in the NH before heading back down to NZ to
progress his career there too.
>
--- End Quote ---
Agree re. a replacement for DC. Not sure how I left that out
after banging on about it for the last couple of months!
I’ve said before, I’d be really interested in John Cooney, but I
also really liked the suggestion of Serin someone made.
#Post#: 79909--------------------------------------------------
Re: Transfers - what do we actually need?
DIR By: Quinaldo
Date: December 15, 2021, 3:37 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I believe Matt Symons is looking to retire at the end of the
season.
Tizard looks a great prospect, but i feel like we could
definitely do with a "lumpy" 2nd row enforcer if Symons does
indeed retire.
#Post#: 79910--------------------------------------------------
Re: Transfers - what do we actually need?
DIR By: T-Bone
Date: December 15, 2021, 3:42 am
---------------------------------------------------------
As said above, loosehead seems a priority if SGB is leaving. We
do need a decent back up hooker, but I'd be happy to give one of
the academy guys a proper crack. With Head and musk it must be
getting towards the time when they're either challenging for the
first team or maybe need to look elsewhere. Maybe that's unfair
though - not sure how old they are.
With Chisholm often injured and Dombrandt away more, we could do
with another option at 8. I think the academy guys are more
suited to flanker, but might be wrong.
9 I think we're ok, but need to Steele to stay.
10 we're ok if Allan can stay fit, especially with Benson
showing promise.
Stocked at centre and back 3
#Post#: 79915--------------------------------------------------
Re: Transfers - what do we actually need?
DIR By: MaidstoneQuin
Date: December 15, 2021, 4:25 am
---------------------------------------------------------
When Danny goes we need to break the bank for a box office 9, as
it will get the best out of Marcus also if we have a similar
attacking virtuoso.
I would like the back row to also get a good name in, and not
just another bench warmer. Where quins have fallen down in the
past is a great first XV but the gulf between that and their
replacements due to injury/suspension etc has been shocking over
the last few years. We need to move on players like R Chisholm,
and i also think Morris has probably had his day, now we have FB
cover in Nick David etc.
As mentioned, Walker has been OK. Lets not forget when Baldwin
first came to us, he was pretty pants. Will Walker improve?
Maybe, but hes not world class/box office. I'd be more than
happy with him, Riley and a big name as our main cover with Musk
also knocking around.
#Post#: 79918--------------------------------------------------
Re: Transfers - what do we actually need?
DIR By: poorfour
Date: December 15, 2021, 4:41 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Re: locks - don't forget that we have CSW waiting in the wings
For me, whether we need an additional loosehead to replace SGB
depends on Els and Baxter's fitness. If they are both fit and in
form then it gives us real depth at loosehead; if they are
fragile, then we probably need another stalwart.
If we're going to splash some cash, it should be on a scrum half
as the successor to Care. I doubt we could get him, but Randall
might be ideal - not riding as high on the England radar as
Quirke, JVP or, erm, Youngs, but over the summer he combined
really well with Marcus.
Walker has impressed me in the loose and I hope the wayward
lineouts are just a matter of familiarity. Though there was
something oddly reassuring about seeing Kenningham go up for the
crunch jumps against Castres once he came on. Wonder where we've
seen that before?
Overall, though, we're in the unusual position that we have a
very strong 1st XV, and actually quite enviable depth in most
positions.
LH - Marler / Els / Baxter (SGB)
HK - Walker / Musk / Head (Gray)
TH - Louw / Collier / Kerrod
LK - Lewies / Lamb / Tizard / CSW / Hammond (Symons)
FL - Chis / Kenningham / Lawday / Evans / Taulani / Wallace /
White
8 - Dombrandt / Chis / Lawday
SH - Care / Steele / Gjaltema
FH - Smith / Allan / Edwards / Benson
IC - Esterhuizen / Lasike / Jones
OC - Marchant / Northmore / Beard
Back 3 - Green / Lynagh / Murley / David / Chis / Morris
One thing that leaps out (apart from the need for a challenger
at SH) is that we've got sufficient flexibility in the outside
backs and back row that we can carry a slightly lighter squad in
those places because we have several players who can play
multiple positions.
We're also making very good use of the new Academy salary rules
- Tizard, Kenningham, Musk, Head, Riley, Benson, Beard and
Baxter are all still on Academy contracts. The trick will be to
bring them through to senior contracts as older players retire,
so that we can do less buying in of senior players.
#Post#: 79920--------------------------------------------------
Re: Transfers - what do we actually need?
DIR By: East Sussex Chris
Date: December 15, 2021, 5:14 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Think its too early to say, as there could be carnage at some
clubs with the reduced salary cap, how many players will we have
to lose, as if we were right up to the limit as we are led to
believe then players will have to take a pay cut or leave. Also
only 1 marquee player.
#Post#: 79921--------------------------------------------------
Re: Transfers - what do we actually need?
DIR By: honkytonk
Date: December 15, 2021, 5:25 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I could see
Gray
Botta
Symons (if the retirement rumour is true)
White
Wallace
Chisholm SR
Lasike
all as potential players moving on
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 4
DIR Next Page