Who is the Mystery Eighth Signing?
By Loosehead
June 7 2004
Who is this 8th and last mystery player who is yet to join the Tykes for next season? So far we have had confirmed incomings of Iain Balshaw, Chris Bell, Jon Dunbar, Rayno Gerber, Mark McMillan, Chris Murphy & Pierre Uys.
But there is still one more! Rumours abound that it is an All Black Centre/Winger who is still currently playing rugby in New Zealand - although no one from the club has offically confirmed if this is the real truth. So as yours truly loves Rugby gossip, I have done a little digging and mooching about to come up with a list of 5 players who would fit the bill.
So who are these players and what are the chances that it will be one of the these we will sign?
Tana Umaga
Strengths: Very Experinced at the highest level, lots of pace
Weaknesses: Has suffered over the last 12 months with injuries and loss of form with his S12 side the Hurricanes
1st on the list and the early favourite to sign was Tana Umaga. According to the Times 2 weeks ago we were close to agreeing a dual contract deal with the experinced All Black, and sources in New Zealand "confirmed" that it was a done deal. "Not so!", say Leeds. They were interested in Umaga a few years back but he is not the man. And with Umaga now made captain of the All Blacks for the up coming tests against England, he is now seen as a very long shot.
Caleb Ralph
Strengths: is able to play wing & centre a versatile player is good in attack and in cover defence.
Weaknesses: will he be able to adapt to rigours of the game in ZP? Cold Friday night in January anyone?
The 2nd player to be named is Caleb Ralph where as recently as last week, rugby gossip in a newspaper said that Ralph was close to agreeing a deal with the Tykes but wanted assurances that he would be playing in the Tykes midfield. Again, "Not so!", say Leeds sources - he would be a very good player to sign but its not him. Ralph was linked a few months back to a move to Celtic Warriors, and with him playing for the Crusaders in the S12 probably no announcement could be made until afterwards. He was also recently involved in the All Black trial match, where he scored a try but was unlucky not to make the final squad. Ralph is at the right age for Leeds' profile; he is 27, has 15 AB Caps to his name and has been on the All Black scene for 6 years and has the relevent experience of playing at the top level. My view is still that Ralph would be the favourite to sign.
Ma'a Nonu
Strengths: powerful runner, can break tackles, very quick.
Weakness: Not a good RWC - was caught out a couple of times, due to age and inexperince.
The young Wellington and All Black Centre Ma'a Nonu is stll only 22 but has 4 caps to his name and was one of the standout players for the All Blacks in 2003. Nonu can also play Wing which would fit the criteria for the player we are linked with, but at the moment he has fallen out of reckoning with the AB by not making the recent selection and at the moment he is probably behind Umaga, Carter & the Mauger brothers in the pecking order. Is now the right time to seek a move abroad for a few years? He is still young enough at 22 to play a couple of seasons in the ZP and return to NZ to make the RWC 07 world cup squad. Odds are 2nd Favourite.
The Others
The last 2 players are not yet full All Blacks but have represented the AB at 7's and age level. They are the Gear Brothers, Rico & Hosea. Both are experinced in NPC & S12 where I believe Hosea recentley played in the AB trial. Both have plenty of pace, but perhaps lack that bit of experience that might prove crucial. Odds are medium to long shots.
Whatever the eventual truth one thing is for certain - Leeds Rugby are making a commitment to bringing high quality candidates to Headingley, and are clearly making strides towards ensuring Leeds Tykes will be a fixture in the Zurich Premiership for a long time to come. The time to buy your season ticket is NOW!!!