Recruitment Warriors Recruitment and Rumour Mill - 2017

[Selector]

The source is the Mole.

source: https://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/moles-monday-scoops-11-30/

Warriors set to splash the cash on Izzy

THE big-spending Warriors have set their sights on one of world rugby’s biggest names for 2018 – Israel Folau.

Folau is currently contracted to the Waratahs in rugby union but is known to be open to an approach to league.

The 27-year-old was a sensation with both the Storm and Broncos before defecting to AFL in 2011 and then union in 2013.

Only last month, Folau went on a speaking tour of New Zealand with Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei raising awareness of mental health issues.

The two are close mates and Vatuvei no doubt talked up the Warriors as the pair toured the Shaky Isles.

The Warriors spent little money over this off season but are believed to be ready to splash out the cash on Folau next year

 

[eudebrito]

If you took Foran’s money and Hoffman’s money and (ironically) Vatuvei’s money.

You don’t want to give it too much credit as almost every club could do the same thing, turn a few big money guys into one Folau.

He’s spent the prime of his career in union and rules though, risky for any team to break the bank on him, especially if he isn't going to play fullback.

 

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The Warriors are believed to be making a play for Wallaby and former league star Israel Folau.

The former Storm and Broncos outside back is currently contracted to the Waratahs in Super Rugby but Rugby League Week is reporting the Warriors have shown interest in the 27-year-old about crossing the Tasman for the 2018 season.

Folau, who made the move to Australian Rules in 2011 and Rugby Union in 2013, is engaged to Silver Ferns netballer Maria Tutaia and a move to Auckland might not be out of the question.

The Warriors have cap space available to them with a number of stars coming off contract at the end of this year including Kiwis halfback Shaun Johnson.






Johnson has been rumoured to be considering a move to English rugby.

The Warriors are yet to respond to the Herald's calls. https://nzh.tw/11783092

 

[Jordan G]

Johnson has been considering a move to English rugby......

Lol where did that random rumour come from?

Journalists these days can be such dribblers.

 

[InsideBall]

Johnson has been considering a move to English rugby......

Lol where did that random rumour come from?

Journalists these days can be such dribblers.

Players "consider" moves just about anywhere, come contract time... that's called being thourough. It's just the state of saying utterly nothing that modern media has come to.

 

[matiunz]

Wouldn't be hugely keen on Folau-overrated as hell in union, would be repeating the past mistakes of being a retirement package for aging stars.
Would be surprised to see the ARU let their poster child go when they are struggling for exposure.

 

[warriorsfan92]

Wouldn't be hugely keen on Folau-overrated as hell in union, would be repeating the past mistakes of being a retirement package for aging stars.

He's 27...

 

[matiunz]

He's 27...

And will be nearing 29 when he comes here= last couple of years of his career, especially for a back

 

[Wellington Warrior]

Players "consider" moves just about anywhere, come contract time... that's called being thourough. It's just the state of saying utterly nothing that modern media has come to.

Exactly... contract time for him and would drive up his price if there was another option on the table.

 

[Generally Little]

Folau would have to be a fullback, or it would be a waste of money. But we currently have the former number one fullback. So the story would have to be BullShizz. Where would we put him. We have some good talent reaching maturity in the positions he would play. I really cant see him being an upgrade on anyone unless it was at the right price.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

Folau will tear it up when he comes back to the NRL, he is a class above. I'd imagine they are wanting him to fit into the centres.

 

[Horriors2014]

The Warriors are believed to be making a play for Wallaby and former league star Israel Folau.

The former Storm and Broncos outside back is currently contracted to the Waratahs in Super Rugby but Rugby League Week is reporting the Warriors have shown interest in the 27-year-old about crossing the Tasman for the 2018 season.

Folau, who made the move to Australian Rules in 2011 and Rugby Union in 2013, is engaged to Silver Ferns netballer Maria Tutaia and a move to Auckland might not be out of the question.

The Warriors have cap space available to them with a number of stars coming off contract at the end of this year including Kiwis halfback Shaun Johnson.






Johnson has been rumoured to be considering a move to English rugby.

The Warriors are yet to respond to the Herald's calls. https://nzh.tw/11783092

I'm sure JD has made a play for him. Cos he is on to every good opportunity around-that's why he is good. The Tutaia factor makes the Warriors an automatic possibility, as well as the Blues. In this game you go for the next quality player on the market ASAP because every other club is doing the same. But you notice that JD is judicious about who he makes serious offers to. He picks people who are rep level, better than what we currently have or or as good as the player they are replacing. But the last factor is either they have a personal reason to come to Auckland, or they can't find a better deal for their last big contract of their career (e.g. Hoffman). And I have no problem with that.

 

[Horriors2014]

Folau will tear it up when he comes back to the NRL, he is a class above. I'd imagine they are wanting him to fit into the centres.

Yeah I think so too. He can play wing of course (and in tandem with Manu would be a pairing to rival the old Sailor/Tuqiri combo).

 

[Dunedin warrior]

Well there is an Auckland connection there through Tutaia and if they are looking at Auckland to live, I think we offer more than the other underachieving footy club in Auckland.

I'm sure Doyle would have had a chat to gauge his interest. Exceptional player and would love to have him but considering we would probably be looking to play him at centre probably out of our price range.

 

[brightman]

Yeah I think so too. He can play wing of course (and in tandem with Manu would be a pairing to rival the old Sailor/Tuqiri combo).

No way Folau plays wing! For starters you put the better player closer to the ball on the principle he'll make the players outside of him better, secondly Folau is better than any of our current centres and Fusitua will usurp Kata this season which would mean Kata would never pass to Folau instead of Vatuvei?!

 

[eudebrito]

NZ rugby won't help the blues get a wallaby onto the books, chuck that one out.

 

[Horriors2014]

No way Folau plays wing! For starters you put the better player closer to the ball on the principle he'll make the players outside of him better, secondly Folau is better than any of our current centres and Fusitua will usurp Kata this season which would mean Kata would never pass to Folau instead of Vatuvei?!

Firstly, Kata passes it to Manu because they are both on the left side of the field. If you're suggesting Manu be dropped, you're dreaming. Won't happen. Secondly I only mentioned that he CAN play winger, and since he hasn't played league for ages, winger might be where he starts. Since it is rumoured that Fusitua might be right centre this year, this adds to the possibility. Although TL has been told he is a only a winger, so who knows what will happen.

 

[Horriors2014]

NZ rugby won't help the blues get a wallaby on to the books

He hasn't played league for Aussie in years. He could qualify for NZ.

 

[eudebrito]

He hasn't played league for Aussie in years. He could qualify for NZ.

the warriors won't care what country he plays for, but The NZRU doesn't let their franchises spend up large on players who aren't eligible for the all blacks. And he was playing for Australia 2 months ago.

 

[snake77]

What to make of the two recruitment rumours today.

The Folau one seems improbable especially after years of us always missing out on our targets. Although last time we had money available Doyle pulled out some surprises. We had a lot of rumours about Tomkins wanting out and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck hanging out at Warriors training or little bits about Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Like most others I brushed that off and then surprise it's announced.

If he wants to play league and his partner still wants to play international netball than we are probably in with a shot as I assume to play for the Silver Ferns you need to be based in NZ (pretty sure I heard that somewhere). Otherwise she would probably give up internationals and follow where he decides to go and hopefully go to the closest netball team. A high profile player who would take a big offer to come here so be prepared for a player or two to leave unless they are resigned to fate for Foran to head to Sydney and use that money.

Johnson that is the only time I've seen that rumour. A few months ago he was talking about taking "unders" to stay if the club still wanted him. It said he is weighing up an offer, to be fair most players would consider quite a few offers they get when you get to the amount we would be talking about here. It would be naïve to think he wouldn't leave but we are in a good position considering his TPA's he has here along with his profile here. He would also find marketing his Shaun Johnson clothing line if he isn't on show regularly locally.

Both rumours are pretty light at the moment. I'd love to have Folau but could see a lot of other clubs linked to him. The Johnson one could also be part of the negotiation process seeing as he is off contract.