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Signings and sponsorship boost for Dragons
NEW Zealanders Tom Willis, James Arlidge and Grant Webb have signed for the Newport Gwent Dragons on two-year contracts and car supermarket group Motorpoint will sponsor the region in a deal believed to be worth six figures.
The signings come after Dragons chief executive Gethin Jenkins and head coach Paul Turner went on a recruiting mission Down Under.
Motorpoint have pledged two years (with a third year option) to the region as title shirt sponsors.
Jenkins said: "The signings reflect the ambition of the Dragons ahead of the imminent stadium redevelopment. When Paul and I travelled to New Zealand we were determined to secure quality and experienced players to compliment the experience and emerging talent already nurtured by the Dragons within the region.
"It is important to ensure that we are signing the right type of players to join the Dragons and this formed a key reason for our trip to New Zealand."
He said the future was a bright one for the Dragons: "We explained our plans and the direction that the team is going and, as a result, the players have committed themselves to the Dragons for the coming two years.
"There are certainly exciting times ahead for the region and the signings reflect the growing confidence here at Rodney Parade."
The 29-year-old hooker Tom Willis, a qualified lawyer, has captained the All Blacks, has won five caps for New Zealand and is an experienced Super 14 player for Waikato.
New Zealand-born James Aldridge made a successful debut for Japan last year against South Korea, scoring with two tries and ten conversions and is currently on international duty in the Asian Five Nations tournament.
Number 8 Grant Webb, also aged 29, has played Super 14 and NPC rugby in New Zealand with Otago Highlanders and Hawks Bay and also spent some time in Japan playing for Toyota.
He has also featured for Ulster this season with experience of the Magners League and Heineken Cup.
3:35pm Monday 12th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: growingdragonheart, newport on 4:14pm Mon 12 May 08
not really what I would call high quality signings apart from willis. Webb has been with ulster this year and managed 4 games!!
not really what I would call high quality signings apart from willis. Webb has been with ulster this year and managed 4 games!!
Posted by: monte_fisto, Newport on 4:28pm Mon 12 May 08
He signed mid-season for a team that has had dire coaching problems give him a chance - if he's played 7's for NZ he must offer more going forward than Michael Owen.
He signed mid-season for a team that has had dire coaching problems give him a chance - if he's played 7's for NZ he must offer more going forward than Michael Owen.
Posted by: newportsfinest, newport on 4:28pm Mon 12 May 08
are you just putting negative comments after [bold]every[/bold] article pal
are you just putting negative comments after
every article pal
Posted by: gavin, newport on 8:13pm Mon 12 May 08
i think what he means is compared with other teams those players are less heard of. i mean look at scarlets theyve bought lyons and are after somerville. however the scarlets are losing better players so i think the dragons signings will take them forward
i think what he means is compared with other teams those players are less heard of. i mean look at scarlets theyve bought lyons and are after somerville. however the scarlets are losing better players so i think the dragons signings will take them forward
Posted by: Exiled In Dorset, Poole Dorset on 12:53am Tue 13 May 08
The signings and the sponsorship deal is a big boost for this club. I have no doubt that these are positive moves which will help the club move forward.
I have followed this club as player and supporter for the past 40yrs, through good times and bad, as true supporters do. There are far too many ready to shout from the rooftops when things don't go right, but in essence those are the times that everyone SHOULD get behind the club. I eagerly await for the start of the new season, making the journey(s) week in week out to follow my club.
The signings and the sponsorship deal is a big boost for this club. I have no doubt that these are positive moves which will help the club move forward.
I have followed this club as player and supporter for the past 40yrs, through good times and bad, as true supporters do. There are far too many ready to shout from the rooftops when things don't go right, but in essence those are the times that everyone SHOULD get behind the club. I eagerly await for the start of the new season, making the journey(s) week in week out to follow my club.
Posted by: richard, newport on 7:41am Tue 13 May 08
[quote][bold]Exiled In Dorset[/bold] wrote:
The signings and the sponsorship deal is a big boost for this club. I have no doubt that these are positive moves which will help the club move forward. I have followed this club as player and supporter for the past 40yrs, through good times and bad, as true supporters do. There are far too many ready to shout from the rooftops when things don't go right, but in essence those are the times that everyone SHOULD get behind the club. I eagerly await for the start of the new season, making the journey(s) week in week out to follow my club. [/quote] Here Here.
Exiled In Dorset wrote:
The signings and the sponsorship deal is a big boost for this club. I have no doubt that these are positive moves which will help the club move forward. I have followed this club as player and supporter for the past 40yrs, through good times and bad, as true supporters do. There are far too many ready to shout from the rooftops when things don't go right, but in essence those are the times that everyone SHOULD get behind the club. I eagerly await for the start of the new season, making the journey(s) week in week out to follow my club.
Here Here.
Posted by: Mike, Newport on 7:58am Tue 13 May 08
Well said exiled in Dorset. Instead of griping and moaning lets get behind the boys and lets look forward to a new season. It's been a tough season but as you rightly say, true fans will keep supporting no matter what. Come on the dragons!
Well said exiled in Dorset. Instead of griping and moaning lets get behind the boys and lets look forward to a new season. It's been a tough season but as you rightly say, true fans will keep supporting no matter what. Come on the dragons!
Posted by: Khalid, Newport on 8:18am Tue 13 May 08
I agree with the positive posts from all, i have been behind the Dragons & Newport through the Good and Bad but 1 thing i cannot get behind is the "Board" they have clearly lied to us (supporters) over the past few seasons & have shown lack of ambition, i am behind the Players & Supporters as always but still have lack of trust for the board. As Newport or Dragons fans we are amongst the most faitful & paitent in the land & will continue to support the players no matter what.
I agree with the positive posts from all, i have been behind the Dragons & Newport through the Good and Bad but 1 thing i cannot get behind is the "Board" they have clearly lied to us (supporters) over the past few seasons & have shown lack of ambition, i am behind the Players & Supporters as always but still have lack of trust for the board. As Newport or Dragons fans we are amongst the most faitful & paitent in the land & will continue to support the players no matter what.
Posted by: Newport Ospreys, Newport on 8:31am Tue 13 May 08
[quote][bold]richard[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Exiled In Dorset[/bold] wrote: The signings and the sponsorship deal is a big boost for this club. I have no doubt that these are positive moves which will help the club move forward. I have followed this club as player and supporter for the past 40yrs, through good times and bad, as true supporters do. There are far too many ready to shout from the rooftops when things don't go right, but in essence those are the times that everyone SHOULD get behind the club. I eagerly await for the start of the new season, making the journey(s) week in week out to follow my club. [/quote] Here Here.[/quote] Just a minor point Newport RFC are the Club. Newport Gwent Dragons are a Region. No wonder the rest of Gwent are not behind the Dragons if they are treated the same.
richard wrote:
Exiled In Dorset wrote: The signings and the sponsorship deal is a big boost for this club. I have no doubt that these are positive moves which will help the club move forward. I have followed this club as player and supporter for the past 40yrs, through good times and bad, as true supporters do. There are far too many ready to shout from the rooftops when things don't go right, but in essence those are the times that everyone SHOULD get behind the club. I eagerly await for the start of the new season, making the journey(s) week in week out to follow my club.
Here Here.
Just a minor point Newport RFC are the Club. Newport Gwent Dragons are a Region. No wonder the rest of Gwent are not behind the Dragons if they are treated the same.
Posted by: Newport Ospreys, Newport on 8:32am Tue 13 May 08
[quote][bold]richard[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Exiled In Dorset[/bold] wrote: The signings and the sponsorship deal is a big boost for this club. I have no doubt that these are positive moves which will help the club move forward. I have followed this club as player and supporter for the past 40yrs, through good times and bad, as true supporters do. There are far too many ready to shout from the rooftops when things don't go right, but in essence those are the times that everyone SHOULD get behind the club. I eagerly await for the start of the new season, making the journey(s) week in week out to follow my club. [/quote] Here Here.[/quote] Just a minor point Newport RFC are the Club. Newport Gwent Dragons are a Region. No wonder the rest of Gwent are not behind the Dragons if they are treated the same.
richard wrote:
Exiled In Dorset wrote: The signings and the sponsorship deal is a big boost for this club. I have no doubt that these are positive moves which will help the club move forward. I have followed this club as player and supporter for the past 40yrs, through good times and bad, as true supporters do. There are far too many ready to shout from the rooftops when things don't go right, but in essence those are the times that everyone SHOULD get behind the club. I eagerly await for the start of the new season, making the journey(s) week in week out to follow my club.
Here Here.
Just a minor point Newport RFC are the Club. Newport Gwent Dragons are a Region. No wonder the rest of Gwent are not behind the Dragons if they are treated the same.
Posted by: Oddjob, Monmouthshire on 8:58am Tue 13 May 08
[quote][bold]Exiled In Dorset[/bold] wrote:
The signings and the sponsorship deal is a big boost for this club. I have no doubt that these are positive moves which will help the club move forward. I have followed this club as player and supporter for the past 40yrs, through good times and bad, as true supporters do. There are far too many ready to shout from the rooftops when things don't go right, but in essence those are the times that everyone SHOULD get behind the club. I eagerly await for the start of the new season, making the journey(s) week in week out to follow my club. [/quote] They've only been in existance for five years, and it's a Gwent region by the way, not a club.
Exiled In Dorset wrote:
The signings and the sponsorship deal is a big boost for this club. I have no doubt that these are positive moves which will help the club move forward. I have followed this club as player and supporter for the past 40yrs, through good times and bad, as true supporters do. There are far too many ready to shout from the rooftops when things don't go right, but in essence those are the times that everyone SHOULD get behind the club. I eagerly await for the start of the new season, making the journey(s) week in week out to follow my club.
They've only been in existance for five years, and it's a Gwent region by the way, not a club.
Posted by: Owain Vaughan, Newport Monmouthshire on 9:24am Tue 13 May 08
I thought it was supposed to be a "rugby region", not a "Gwent region"?
I thought it was supposed to be a "rugby region", not a "Gwent region"?
Posted by: man of newport, Newport on 10:50am Tue 13 May 08
[quote][bold]Owain Vaughan[/bold] wrote:
I thought it was supposed to be a "rugby region", not a "Gwent region"?[/quote] It's both.
Owain Vaughan wrote:
I thought it was supposed to be a "rugby region", not a "Gwent region"?
It's both.
Posted by: Oddjob, Monmouthshire on 11:42am Tue 13 May 08
[quote][bold]Owain Vaughan[/bold] wrote:
I thought it was supposed to be a "rugby region", not a "Gwent region"?[/quote] You and me.
Owain Vaughan wrote:
I thought it was supposed to be a "rugby region", not a "Gwent region"?
You and me.
Posted by: schlepney, newport on 12:39pm Tue 13 May 08
Think I might renew my membership again next season. Did not think I would say that after last years promises!!
Think I might renew my membership again next season. Did not think I would say that after last years promises!!
Posted by: Gwent Rugby Supporter, Not Newport on 3:23pm Tue 13 May 08
[quote][bold]Exiled In Dorset[/bold] wrote:
The signings and the sponsorship deal is a big boost for this club. I have no doubt that these are positive moves which will help the club move forward. I have followed this club as player and supporter for the past 40yrs, through good times and bad, as true supporters do. There are far too many ready to shout from the rooftops when things don't go right, but in essence those are the times that everyone SHOULD get behind the club. I eagerly await for the start of the new season, making the journey(s) week in week out to follow my club. [/quote] As someone else alluded to above, you can't have followed the Dragons for the past 40 years as they have only existed for about 5 or 6 years. Just goes to show that people in Newport think of both the Dragons and the RFC as Newport teams. People use the terms Dragons and Newport interchangeably when it suits them. It is no wonder that absolutely no-one from the valleys wants anything to do with them.
Exiled In Dorset wrote:
The signings and the sponsorship deal is a big boost for this club. I have no doubt that these are positive moves which will help the club move forward. I have followed this club as player and supporter for the past 40yrs, through good times and bad, as true supporters do. There are far too many ready to shout from the rooftops when things don't go right, but in essence those are the times that everyone SHOULD get behind the club. I eagerly await for the start of the new season, making the journey(s) week in week out to follow my club.
As someone else alluded to above, you can't have followed the Dragons for the past 40 years as they have only existed for about 5 or 6 years. Just goes to show that people in Newport think of both the Dragons and the RFC as Newport teams. People use the terms Dragons and Newport interchangeably when it suits them. It is no wonder that absolutely no-one from the valleys wants anything to do with them.
Posted by: monte_fisto, Newport on 3:53pm Tue 13 May 08
[quote][bold]Gwent Rugby Supporter[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Exiled In Dorset[/bold] wrote: The signings and the sponsorship deal is a big boost for this club. I have no doubt that these are positive moves which will help the club move forward. I have followed this club as player and supporter for the past 40yrs, through good times and bad, as true supporters do. There are far too many ready to shout from the rooftops when things don't go right, but in essence those are the times that everyone SHOULD get behind the club. I eagerly await for the start of the new season, making the journey(s) week in week out to follow my club. [/quote] As someone else alluded to above, you can't have followed the Dragons for the past 40 years as they have only existed for about 5 or 6 years. Just goes to show that people in Newport think of both the Dragons and the RFC as Newport teams. People use the terms Dragons and Newport interchangeably when it suits them. It is no wonder that absolutely no-one from the valleys wants anything to do with them.[/quote] Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. You lot are as bad as the Nooport mob, why don't the lot of you (from both camps) leave the rest of us who want to see Gwent rugby at the top of the tree to get on with it?
Negativity gets you nowhere. And just for the record, was at the last match with people from Newbridge and Abertillery, which kind of shoots your little rant well out of the water.
Gwent Rugby Supporter wrote:
Exiled In Dorset wrote: The signings and the sponsorship deal is a big boost for this club. I have no doubt that these are positive moves which will help the club move forward. I have followed this club as player and supporter for the past 40yrs, through good times and bad, as true supporters do. There are far too many ready to shout from the rooftops when things don't go right, but in essence those are the times that everyone SHOULD get behind the club. I eagerly await for the start of the new season, making the journey(s) week in week out to follow my club.
As someone else alluded to above, you can't have followed the Dragons for the past 40 years as they have only existed for about 5 or 6 years. Just goes to show that people in Newport think of both the Dragons and the RFC as Newport teams. People use the terms Dragons and Newport interchangeably when it suits them. It is no wonder that absolutely no-one from the valleys wants anything to do with them.
Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. You lot are as bad as the Nooport mob, why don't the lot of you (from both camps) leave the rest of us who want to see Gwent rugby at the top of the tree to get on with it?
Negativity gets you nowhere. And just for the record, was at the last match with people from Newbridge and Abertillery, which kind of shoots your little rant well out of the water.
Posted by: snowy, Gwent on 4:05pm Tue 13 May 08
Some of the petty chat on here amazes me finally abit of good news for the Dragons and all you lot can do is argue! Bad lads!
Some of the petty chat on here amazes me finally abit of good news for the Dragons and all you lot can do is argue! Bad lads!
Posted by: monte_fisto, Newport on 4:15pm Tue 13 May 08
Which is exactly what I was saying, Snowy...
Which is exactly what I was saying, Snowy...
Posted by: snowy, Gwent on 4:19pm Tue 13 May 08
Yeah I know in fairness i agree with what you were saying! Surely it tis time to get behind the Dragons and push top level rugby in GWENT forward!
Yeah I know in fairness i agree with what you were saying! Surely it tis time to get behind the Dragons and push top level rugby in GWENT forward!
Posted by: growingdragonheart, newport on 5:21pm Tue 13 May 08
don't get me wrong, I buy my season ticket year in year out and love supporting the dragons. I am glad that we are signing players, however I would rather see an average welsh player in our side than an average kiwi. And I would rather see our side called 'the Dragons' rather than all this newport / gwent nonsense that always blights any conversation on these pages.
don't get me wrong, I buy my season ticket year in year out and love supporting the dragons. I am glad that we are signing players, however I would rather see an average welsh player in our side than an average kiwi. And I would rather see our side called 'the Dragons' rather than all this newport / gwent nonsense that always blights any conversation on these pages.
Posted by: gwentman, newport on 10:58pm Tue 13 May 08
[quote][bold]monte_fisto[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Gwent Rugby Supporter[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Exiled In Dorset[/bold] wrote: The signings and the sponsorship deal is a big boost for this club. I have no doubt that these are positive moves which will help the club move forward. I have followed this club as player and supporter for the past 40yrs, through good times and bad, as true supporters do. There are far too many ready to shout from the rooftops when things don't go right, but in essence those are the times that everyone SHOULD get behind the club. I eagerly await for the start of the new season, making the journey(s) week in week out to follow my club. [/quote] As someone else alluded to above, you can't have followed the Dragons for the past 40 years as they have only existed for about 5 or 6 years. Just goes to show that people in Newport think of both the Dragons and the RFC as Newport teams. People use the terms Dragons and Newport interchangeably when it suits them. It is no wonder that absolutely no-one from the valleys wants anything to do with them.[/quote] Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. You lot are as bad as the Nooport mob, why don't the lot of you (from both camps) leave the rest of us who want to see Gwent rugby at the top of the tree to get on with it? Negativity gets you nowhere. And just for the record, was at the last match with people from Newbridge and Abertillery, which kind of shoots your little rant well out of the water.[/quote] Unite or die.
monte_fisto wrote:
Gwent Rugby Supporter wrote: Exiled In Dorset wrote: The signings and the sponsorship deal is a big boost for this club. I have no doubt that these are positive moves which will help the club move forward. I have followed this club as player and supporter for the past 40yrs, through good times and bad, as true supporters do. There are far too many ready to shout from the rooftops when things don't go right, but in essence those are the times that everyone SHOULD get behind the club. I eagerly await for the start of the new season, making the journey(s) week in week out to follow my club.
As someone else alluded to above, you can't have followed the Dragons for the past 40 years as they have only existed for about 5 or 6 years. Just goes to show that people in Newport think of both the Dragons and the RFC as Newport teams. People use the terms Dragons and Newport interchangeably when it suits them. It is no wonder that absolutely no-one from the valleys wants anything to do with them.
Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. You lot are as bad as the Nooport mob, why don't the lot of you (from both camps) leave the rest of us who want to see Gwent rugby at the top of the tree to get on with it? Negativity gets you nowhere. And just for the record, was at the last match with people from Newbridge and Abertillery, which kind of shoots your little rant well out of the water.
Unite or die.
Posted by: monte_fisto, Newport on 11:30pm Tue 13 May 08
Blimey Gwentman haven't they taught you any new words at nursery school yet?
You really need to change the record. The only way we'll be dying is if you bore us all to death with your constant, churlish negativity.
Blimey Gwentman haven't they taught you any new words at nursery school yet?
You really need to change the record. The only way we'll be dying is if you bore us all to death with your constant, churlish negativity.
Posted by: welshmof, Gods Country on 9:02am Wed 14 May 08
Yeah after 5 years its time to move on...good news for the dragons..lets hope PT can tap into the latent talent in gwent again this year and do us proud!
Yeah after 5 years its time to move on...good news for the dragons..lets hope PT can tap into the latent talent in gwent again this year and do us proud!
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