Official West Hartlepool RFC

Having read last nights Mail I now see where SCH is coming from.


If someone is prepared to back these lads so they can have a year in the northern hemisphere then good luck to all involved. Rovers certainly needs some new blood judging by there early results.


But would not that money be better spent offering a weekly "wage" to some of the lads who have left Hartlepool for the Darlington clubs?



Post Edited (21-09-06 11:01)

I think players (and this goes for all clubs) have no objections to Kiwis/Aussies/whatevers coming over with the backing of sponsors.

However, they may object to a Joe Bloggs from round the corner getting paid.

Money spoils rugby in my eyes, players should play for a club because they want to

Money is money whether it is spent on air fares flats or to help a local player pay his mortgage.

Just cos they are from NZ doesn't meant they are good.
Might be some right duffers!

Doesn't sound it from the Mail report. Playing at a reasonable level.

Imports can help raise the bar if selected correctly West recruited well with the likes of Alan and Gary Whetton, Dave Stead and Co in the early years . These players along with local imports helped improve the club and move it to the next level.

I hope the players are a suitable standard and not just jouneymen which have also been at West over the years, who are no better than the local lads then pee them off.

Afternoon all

Their CV's, as it were, do read very well as WPA has alluded to........I hope this translates into deeds on the pitch.

There's no doubt the three Kiwis last season not only played their hearts out for Rovers but also brought their team mates along too.

Like West, we have a very young side and some experience does help. For example, you are heavily reliant on the experience of Messrs Tighe, Cullinane and Sawyer etc and hopefully the New Zealand lads will help us.

all fair enough R&O but i think you'd been taking a different tone if it was west bringing in the kiwis after a poor start to the season...

no comment on the rights and wrongs of imports / wages....we've been down this road plenty of times



Post Edited (21-09-06 13:15)

Not sure what you mean about rights and wrong El Pedro.

As far as I am aware, sponsorship is paying for the flights/stay of the New Zealanders.

It would be folly of Rovers to get involved in paying for players.

Look how many clubs have gone to the dogs because they couldn't afford it.

I don't think Rovers have got it wrong, I hope they haven't because covering West's horrible decline was a painful experience and I wouldn't like to have to go through that again.

Their squad needs added strength for North Two East (caused by injuries/departures/retirements) and they have used this connection with New Zealand.

It is a system West developed with some success. Four of your Kiwis actually loved it so much here they settled, although Paul Hodder and Dave Stead eventually returned to NZ.

I think they are doing all right for themselves again

SCH, please explain how West are still in decline

i just meant i wasn't entering in to the debate on imports....

I can just see a local builders chairman rubbing his hands.



think it will be The Friarage Nursing Home, this time next year.


:nrj

Why is that Strongarm??

SCH, West were in decline till a couple of years ago and now looking good again over here. You must be going a little stale as you keep spouting the same bitter cr#p all the time. You need to get some new stuff to spout as most of the time you just repeat over and over. Give you credit, the odd time you can be funny but i reckon you are just a bitter and sad person