| ROBIN DAVEY | | | | | GLAMORGAN CRICKET | | | | | SPORT ROUND-UP | | | | AROUND THE DISTRICTS - NEWPORT | | | AROUND THE DISTRICTS - VALLEYS | | | | CITIZEN REPORTERS
We're looking for local people to give us the really local news in their area. Find out more. |
|
|
|
Hunt is on for centre
THE attention switches to the capture of a big centre after Newport Gwent Dragons confirmed the signing of New Zealan-ders James Arlidge and Grant Webb.
Their arrival at Rodney Parade was forecast in Friday's Argus and follows the deal reached by former All Blacks captain Tom Willis, with Hoani Mac-Donald's due to be announced soon as well.
Now Dragons coach Paul Turner is looking to complete one more signing for next season, buoyed by a terrific final game victory over Magners League champions Leinster when a bonus point for scoring four tries was secured in an astonishing opening 20 minutes on Friday night.
That, together with the signings and the prospect of a redeveloped ground with state-of-the-art facilities has completely altered the picture from gloom and doom at the Dragons to at least one of optimism.
Turner is able to make another signing within his budget, and while accepting there may still be problems at prop and on the wing, he is looking to bring in a big centre, especially with Paul Emerick leaving to join French club Beziers.
The player who could fit the bill is Cardiff Blues centre Marc Stcherbina, the former Australia A player who joined the Blues from Northampton but has been hit by injury and has been unable to secure a regular starting-place there.
Arlidge will further strengthen the outside-half position with the Dragons after the signing of Shaun Connor and the emergence of James Tovey.
He is currently playing for Japan in the Asian Five Nations tournament and kicked six conversions in their 82-6 victory over Kazakhstan on Saturday.
He is due to start pre-season training with the Dragons near the end of June, as is number eight Webb, a former New Zealand Sevens player who has recently been with Ulster.
Willis is also due to arrive at Rodney Parade in time for the start of pre-season training, but MacDonald, a lock or blindside flanker, may not be able to come until October as he is contracted to Southland to play in the New Zealand provincial championship until then.
The Dragons are trying to get him over earlier, but that could involve buying him out of his contract.
10:24am Monday 12th May 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: simon, newport on 11:00am Mon 12 May 08
with all the new players coming were are the dragons getting the money from or is it true that brown is behind it all and that is not just me saying that some of my pals think so as will
with all the new players coming were are the dragons getting the money from or is it true that brown is behind it all and that is not just me saying that some of my pals think so as will
Posted by: Gwent Dragon Fan, Torfaen on 1:23pm Mon 12 May 08
Simon, Dont forget that the dragons are losing sweeney and owen (two of their highest paid players after the 2005 Grand slam) and also may be losing charvis (although hopefully he will stay for at least 1 more season). They are releasing a total of 11 (dont quote me) players all together including american international emerick to france. Like usual there isn't any extra money available, turner is just juggling what he already has to spend...hence why apart from maybe tom willis who currently plays for the cheifs in NZ, the new zealand contingent coming in aren't that well known to anyone. If we are still looking to sign a centre we need this to be our 'big' signing, and it must be someone well known in the game, so that we can draw in the crowds once again. I would personally like to see a big ball carrying centre in there, with more than one u21 international cap to their name.
Simon, Dont forget that the dragons are losing sweeney and owen (two of their highest paid players after the 2005 Grand slam) and also may be losing charvis (although hopefully he will stay for at least 1 more season). They are releasing a total of 11 (dont quote me) players all together including american international emerick to france. Like usual there isn't any extra money available, turner is just juggling what he already has to spend...hence why apart from maybe tom willis who currently plays for the cheifs in NZ, the new zealand contingent coming in aren't that well known to anyone. If we are still looking to sign a centre we need this to be our 'big' signing, and it must be someone well known in the game, so that we can draw in the crowds once again. I would personally like to see a big ball carrying centre in there, with more than one u21 international cap to their name.
Posted by: Gwent Dragon Fan, Torfaen on 1:24pm Mon 12 May 08
Simon, Dont forget that the dragons are losing sweeney and owen (two of their highest paid players after the 2005 Grand slam) and also may be losing charvis (although hopefully he will stay for at least 1 more season). They are releasing a total of 11 (dont quote me) players all together including american international emerick to france. Like usual there isn't any extra money available, turner is just juggling what he already has to spend...hence why apart from maybe tom willis who currently plays for the cheifs in NZ, the new zealand contingent coming in aren't that well known to anyone. If we are still looking to sign a centre we need this to be our 'big' signing, and it must be someone well known in the game, so that we can draw in the crowds once again. I would personally like to see a big ball carrying centre in there, with more than one u21 international cap to their name.
Simon, Dont forget that the dragons are losing sweeney and owen (two of their highest paid players after the 2005 Grand slam) and also may be losing charvis (although hopefully he will stay for at least 1 more season). They are releasing a total of 11 (dont quote me) players all together including american international emerick to france. Like usual there isn't any extra money available, turner is just juggling what he already has to spend...hence why apart from maybe tom willis who currently plays for the cheifs in NZ, the new zealand contingent coming in aren't that well known to anyone. If we are still looking to sign a centre we need this to be our 'big' signing, and it must be someone well known in the game, so that we can draw in the crowds once again. I would personally like to see a big ball carrying centre in there, with more than one u21 international cap to their name.
Posted by: richard, newport on 3:12pm Mon 12 May 08
Ma'a Nonu would be nice , i wish.
Ma'a Nonu would be nice , i wish.
Posted by: monte_fisto, Newport on 3:32pm Mon 12 May 08
It will be Stitch from Cardiff, otherwise why let Louave (spelling?) and Watkins go by?
It will be Stitch from Cardiff, otherwise why let Louave (spelling?) and Watkins go by?
Posted by: growingdragonheart, newport on 4:25pm Mon 12 May 08
yet again we are scraping the barrell for people who cannot play top level rugby. How can we let people like watkins go to gloucester as back up when we are desperate for quality. stitch will be 33 next season not a signing for thre future of the dragons!! what happened to welsh players staying in Wales. That policy seems to be crumbling with every day that passes.
yet again we are scraping the barrell for people who cannot play top level rugby. How can we let people like watkins go to gloucester as back up when we are desperate for quality. stitch will be 33 next season not a signing for thre future of the dragons!! what happened to welsh players staying in Wales. That policy seems to be crumbling with every day that passes.
Posted by: newportsfinest, newport on 5:07pm Mon 12 May 08
because maybe watkins doesnt want to play for us, or maybe he isnt good enough. watkins simply wouldnt want to be a back up and i for one would rather what weve got than an overrated prima donna.
because maybe watkins doesnt want to play for us, or maybe he isnt good enough. watkins simply wouldnt want to be a back up and i for one would rather what weve got than an overrated prima donna.
Posted by: Rob, Newport, Gwent on 5:11pm Mon 12 May 08
I really don't see centre as somewhere we desperately need strengthening. If we are looking to make a big name signing I would have thought wing was the place. Shame we didn't put in a bid for Caleb Ralph before he signed for a Japanese club.
I really don't see centre as somewhere we desperately need strengthening. If we are looking to make a big name signing I would have thought wing was the place. Shame we didn't put in a bid for Caleb Ralph before he signed for a Japanese club.
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
