The UAFC

I suppose now would be the wrong time to say, watch what happens as soon as teh Scotland squad is announced - Cory Jane has still not signed for anyone - and a project forward could be a good move.



I'll get my coat!

Several different things here... I'd be surprised if Payne's contract had any clauses to do with international caps given that would mean Ulster could get into doodoo with the IRB.

The number of NIQs per province is purely down to IRFU policy so *if* Payne became NIQ, it is up to the IRFU how they manage the numbers .

Despite all the talk about NZ poaching islanders, AFAIK the IRFU is the only union with an official poaching policy through the "project player" route, so if one blows up on them, tough sh!t, but it is up to the IRFU how they then limit the NIQs for the particular provinces affected.

Rooster wrote:Well this is all speculation several important things we or the press don't know the main one being the terms of contract, he may be a project player in the IRFU's books but Ulster may have an exemption to keep him anyway if he does get knobbled by Henry for a 15 second cap, perhaps the fine print says we have to drop 1 NIQ contract next season, we have 1 to drop anyway and I would presume that is Danielli and it could be the reason why P3's contract has not been extended same time as Mullers was.

If Muller was going to be a player/coach next season (and the season after) then surely his contract would need to be altered?

I think that's the sole reason why he got a contract extension

Is it true that once you're over 30 you can only get a 1 year contract if you're NIQ?

Didn't Botha get a 3yr contract down in ?

Big-al wrote:Didn't Botha get a 3yr contract down in ?

The rules don't really apply if Munster need something.

It would not be inconceivable that contracts will not be exchanged until nearer his arrival date and that should anything significant change between now and then (for example - potential eligibility), that there are get-out clauses for both sides in the pre-contract agreement. Ultimately, if he believes he is in with a genuine chance at an all black career, he will not want to come and we will no longer want him.

Botha got a 2 year contract with Munster.

I don't think the one-year only for NIQs things is hard & fast and depends on age and position. I think Nathan Hines could only get a 1 year deal with Leinster while Clermont were prepared to give him more.

In all this about Payne, I am blind or has John Afoa been left out of the NZ Squad? Potential good news? I assume that his contract date could be brought forward if it suits all parties.

Now about Payne, I was once wrong before when I thought I had made a mistake but had been right all along so here goes.

Most here are thinking like the rugby amateurs we are - Payne on the other hand is a pro. He has it would seem accepted that his future lies with the 3 years in Ulster after which he is IQ. He doesn't have to accept a call up if offered by the Great Redeemer.

Money obviously is what brought him here, much more than his NZ club contract, plus Nonu has signed for the Blues presumably as his "replacement" (plus of course the opportunity to play in front of the self-proclaimed "greatest fans in the world" - all 8000 of us ) so the question has to be would he fall for being a one cap wonder in black at the risk of screwing up with his new employers. He will know as well as us internet jockeys that there are several players ahead of him in the NZ reckoning - my guess is that he will know which way the wind blows, which side of his bread is buttered and any number of other cliches you wish to throw into the melting pot of forum speculation.

In any event again I don't see him in the squad but understand one spot is being reserved to be completed by 14 August.

Oh, by the way its 93 degrees outside - frigging hot that Off to the hot-tub now, take care.

Official poaching policyis only operated by the IRFU?

What about the English squad? Its nearly like looking at MU or any other Preniership football team --find the wally time.

rumncoke wrote:Official poaching policyis only operated by the IRFU?

What about the English squad? Its nearly like looking at MU or any other Preniership football team --find the wally time.

AFAIK - the RFU don't specifically support the premiership clubs in bringing in un-capped overseas players. If individual players/clubs enter into agreements that is up to them (there may even be the odd nod and wink as an enticement), but I'm pretty sure there is no systemic poaching by the RFU (TBH they're probably not that organised).

BR wrote:

rumncoke wrote:Official poaching policyis only operated by the IRFU?

What about the English squad? Its nearly like looking at MU or any other Preniership football team --find the wally time.

AFAIK - the RFU don't specifically support the premiership clubs in bringing in un-capped overseas players. If individual players/clubs enter into agreements that is up to them (there may even be the odd nod and wink as an enticement), but I'm pretty sure there is no systemic poaching by the RFU (TBH they're probably not that organised).

Lots of clubs with decent money, bound to attract overseas players who can then qualify as English. Would be a bit rich of us to whinge just because they have a bigger budget/number of clubs than us.

Never forget, like the tax system, most things in life are set up by the few to ensure that they stay rich whilst keeping a sizeable majority of wage slaves reasonably happy. Its the way Webb-Ellis would have wanted it

Mind you I hate them anyway - damned sassenachs

rumncoke wrote:Official poaching policyis only operated by the IRFU?

What about the English squad? Its nearly like looking at MU or any other Preniership football team --find the wally time.

The English clubs are independently owned so the RFU don't own the English clubs in the way the IRFU owns the provinces. All the RFU can do is incentivise the clubs by linking payments to the number of EQ players in the club but they can't approve/block an individual signing in the way the IRFU does.

by BaggyTrousers » Tue Jul 05, 2011 11:38 am

In all this about Payne, I am blind or has John Afoa been left out of the NZ Squad? Potential good news? I assume that his contract date could be brought forward if it suits all parties.

The last NZ squad announced didnt have any of the Blues or Crusaders who were playing the the S15 semi finals in it.

There was an AB training camp this weekend so those players couldnt attend.

Thank you kind sir, I thought I had been looking at the selection for their final RWC squad.