NRL snare two from Leeds

[cpwigan]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/23301080

Baldwinson is GB academy captain. Very highly rated

Jordan Baldwinson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoZhpcXozxs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioF0EXNN0KU

Mason Tonks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nfmfNFYHtE

Both players are linked to SMTM agency as others are and are going Down Under also. Thankfully no Wigan players are. Numerous Leeds players are. Several Wire ones too. Danny McGuire was the first player SMTM represented.

SMTM is run by Craig Harrison who owned Doncaster. One Richie Mathers is their marketing guru.

[josie andrews]

Both going to NZ Warriors

http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... /8821709/?

[Kittwazzer]

SMTM is run by Craig Harrison who owned Doncaster. One Richie Mathers is their marketing guru.

If his marketing skills echo his rugby skills, that would put him on a par with Gerald Ratner!

[Shaun1967]

Anybody remember this quote from less than 3 months ago:

".... and I can confirm Leeds Rhinos will not be selling any of our players to NRL clubs."

That's right it was Gary Hetherington.
When I disputed it I was asked why he would say this if it wasn't true?
Couldn't answer that question then and definitely can't now.

[yoda warrior]

Selling players is different to losing players who are out of contract which i'm guessing these two are.

[Shaun1967]

Selling players is different to losing players who are out of contract which i'm guessing these two are.

There would be uproar on these boards if we were to lose a highly rated academy player to the NRL.

[exile in Tiger country]

Selling players is different to losing players who are out of contract which i'm guessing these two are.

There would be uproar on these boards if we were to lose a highly rated academy player to the NRL.

And according to a NZ Warriors fan on Facebook (so it must be true) these lads have been signed to play in the under 20's Toyota cup competition. Not even getting top flight rugby.
Seems a long way to go to get academy players, don't they produce young RL players in New Zealand?

[DaveO]

Anybody remember this quote from less than 3 months ago:

".... and I can confirm Leeds Rhinos will not be selling any of our players to NRL clubs."

That's right it was Gary Hetherington.
When I disputed it I was asked why he would say this if it wasn't true?
Couldn't answer that question then and definitely can't now.

Oh yes they can. He didn't sell these players. They were out of contract.

You are completely wrong to suggest Hethrington has been caught out lying here.

[DaveO]

Selling players is different to losing players who are out of contract which i'm guessing these two are.

There would be uproar on these boards if we were to lose a highly rated academy player to the NRL.

Wrong again. There would be uproar if we sold such a player while under contract in the same way as there is over the prospect of Sam going early.

If the likes of Hampshire decide to follow the Leeds lads when out of contract there will be much disappointment but we won't be furious at IL for actually agreeing to sell or even engineering the sale of contracted players as has happened recently.

There is a huge difference to what people are complaining about over Mossop and Sam and what happens when players are out of contract.

With OOC players it's never a given they will stay on and I think most people accept this.

[Shaun1967]

With OOC players it's never a given they will stay on and I think most people accept this.

Most do but not all. You personally have had a go at the club for losing out of contract players to other clubs.
As for Hetherington not lying, read back through previous threads when he said this where I gave examples of him him selling international players in recent seasons to clubs both here and in the NRL, who were still under contract to Leeds at the time.
If Hetherington told me the time, I would check my watch to make sure he was telling the truth.