What to do with the Journeymen

[Burgs]

"Journeymen" may be a little unkind, "the Cavalry" perhaps, as in holding on until the Cavalry arrive!
Some of these blokes have been great, all have been seen to be worthy and all deserve to be playing Super Rugby somewhere.
But which ones should we offer an extension to their Short Term contracts?

In arrival date order-

Tom Franklin
Ryan Coxson
Ben Funnell
Josh Barlett
Reed Princep
Sam Carter
Joel Hintz
Kurtley Beale

[palitu]

Coxon and Princep have been good. those two.
Funnel, not enough playing for me to judge
Carter is a penalty magnet, nad we have some decent/better lock options.

beale is a challenge, though it was interesting what Donno said after the Fiji game, where Beale never shuts up and is always communicating with the rest of the team to help better organise and direct. It is the off the ball stuff that players bring that we never see. Can we teach him to tackle? Can we get him to not put in rubbish kicks?

[GIGS20]

Way to shut down conversation Palitu, nobody could possibly have anything to add to that!

Agreed on all points

[Tazzmania]

Without a doubt it has to be Princep and Beale both have been crucial additions this year, and not only have they added value but premium value

[Burgs]

beale is a challenge, though it was interesting what Donno said after the Fiji game, where Beale never shuts up and is always communicating with the rest of the team to help better organise and direct. It is the off the ball stuff that players bring that we never see. Can we teach him to tackle? Can we get him to not put in rubbish kicks?

That's probably the clincher for me.
I will lead by saying it is a very long time since I would have been "Team Beale" at SR or Wallaby level.
However, with the absolute wealth of experience he brings and seemingly a new-found maturity, to have him involved in the Squad seems to be bringing out the best in the other players around him.
Let's be honest, he will be 36 before 2025 kicks off, very few play beyond 32-33 at this level.
The fact that he has kept to a suitable level of fitness during the horror last 12 months to not look out of place in SR speaks volumes of his drive to remain active in the Code.
He may not start every (or any) match next year, but to have him as a "playing Coach" and #23 would have to be very attractive to Cron.

After reading such places as The Roar-
Australian Rugby Community, 2023- "We need experience! We need experience! We need experience!"
Australian Rugby Community, 2024- "Not that experience! Not that experience! Not that experience!"

[palitu]

Way to shut down conversation Palitu, nobody could possibly have anything to add to that!

Agreed on all points

Burgs found some conversation ^^^!!!

[palitu]

Beale - he has been good, he's added to attack, but i am not sure he has added to defense. I think that there are some small things that we can get on top off with stupid brain farts, and he would be solid.

As for #23, where would you play him? 10 & 15? i think that as a Centre he would be exposed in defense, and winger, maybe the same.

All in all, i am happy he is playing for us, and would be happy to see him sign again next year, with the goal of mentoring, leadership and slowly giving his starting spot to the longer term full back.

[shasta]

Would SR refs let him get away with doing an "Alf"? Ostensibly running water but effectively organising defence. Doubt it. Our other playmakers say this and directing attack as the big plusses he brings.

[wallabydarnd]

Add burey to the list - forgotten man who was crucial last year

[Burgs]

Burgs found some conversation ^^^!!!

Always

[Burgs]

Add burey to the list - forgotten man who was crucial last year

Not disagreeing, but the premise of this one is around those who have come in during the '24 season as cover.
In the "2025 Squad - Speculation Thread" Burey is stated as 2025, so have relied on that.

[GIGS20]

Burgs found some conversation ^^^!!!

Surprised?