'Moneyball Movers' - The best value-for-money signings in the Premiership this season
Whilst plenty has been written about the big name movers and shakers in world rugby ahead of the new Premiership season, we thought we’d take a look at those slightly less high-profile signings that we predict are going to do big things for their new clubs and leave their former Directors of Rugby crying with regret like your mate on that night out they bumped into their ex.
Calum Clark (Northampton to Saracens):
One of the higher profile signings on this list, Clark’s name might ring a bell more for his disciplinary problems than his on-field performances. Despite this, if you ask any of the Franklins’ Gardens’ faithful they’ll tell you CC should have far more than his solitary England cap based on his showings for the Saints.
A strong ball carrier, rabid tackler and supreme scavenger at the breakdown, Clark has all the tools to succeed but the aforementioned bans, a couple of injuries and a highly competitive back row meant Clark could never quite permanently nail down that Saints shirt.
Saracens will be delighted that Clark has sought out a new lease of life at Allianz Park, knowing that they’re getting a world class talent who’s perhaps not lived up to his potential.
DTH Van der Merwe (Scarlets to Newcastle):
A regular (extremely long) name on Celtic League scoresheets for Glasgow, DTHVDM proved himself to be more than just a nonsensical captcha with his performances at the 2015 World Cup for Canada. He joined Scarlets immediately following the tournament, scoring two tries on his debut against Leinster.
Top scorer for the Llanelli side in his first season with an impressive strike rate of 7 tries in 14 appearances, he went on to bag 8 in the following campaign, including one in Scarlets’ victory over Munster in the final.
However, a precarious financial situation at the Welsh club likely hastened his departure, and with Newcastle’s artificial pitch and exciting backline facilitating some excellent running rugby expect to see the South African-born winger towards the top of the try-scoring list come season’s end.
?@DTHVDM stands atop #Canada's all-time test try-scoring chart with 25 career tries, including 6 at @rugbyworldcup! #RISEAsOne #RC15s ??? pic.twitter.com/FxOTvrWUy7
— Rugby Canada (@RugbyCanada) June 29, 2017
Ethan Waller (Northampton to Worcester):
Having built up something of a cult following with his charity work and musical performances during his time at Northampton, “Beef” was unfortunate to find himself competing with his seemingly indestructible elder brother Alex for the Saints’ loosehead jersey.
Semi-regular appearances over the years showed flashes of his capabilities, but Waller was never really given the chance to shake up the pecking order. At the age of 24, Waller has sensibly decided to leave his hometown club in search of regular first-team rugby, and if he gets it Worcester have a potential star on their hands.
A talented scrummager who is equally skilled in the loose, Waller will be hoping a move to Sixways will be enough to shake off his reputation as an understudy and show what he’s really capable of.
Owen Williams (Leicester to Gloucester):
Lost in amongst the whole George Ford-Freddie Burns debacle was the news that Leicester fly half Owen Williams would also be moving to the West Country. Williams was, at times, the Tigers’ first choice 10, with performances drawing the attention of the Welsh Rugby Union. Despite this, Leicester never really went all in on him, replacing him with first Burns and now Ford.
A lack of clear commitment from the coaching team is probably the main reason Williams has only just received his first international cap, but if he can establish himself as the main playmaker for the Cherry & Whites he has the potential to cause some major selection headaches for Wales.
His consistency off the tee and controlled flair helped Tigers through some tough spots in previous years, and Gloucester will be expecting the same this season.
Jason Woodward (Bristol to Gloucester):
With Bristol doing what they had adamantly denied they’d do and investing a load of money into a squad which then got immediately relegated, it was somewhat inevitable there’d be a bit of poaching going on. Probably the best pick of the bunch goes to Gloucester who managed to bag the signing of Jason Woodward, one of the few shining lights in an otherwise poor Bristol season.
Managing to score four tries despite the fact Bristol never seemed to have any possession, ever, Woodward caught the eye of Eddie Jones who called him into an England training squad earlier this year. Gloucester will be hoping to capitalise on the former All Black Under 20s’versatility and Super Rugby experience.
He’s unlikely to displace Mike Brown for England just yet, but an ability to kick goals and slot in anywhere in the backline means he’s a valuable addition to the squad.
Comments on RugbyPass
It’ll be very interesting to see how Razor’s AB’s handle the new England rush D. It’s basically the Bok recipe they copied, so if England goes well then we know most likely the Boks will go well too. If England cops a hiding then we’ll have to study and adapt.
6 Go to commentsTypical trait of an australian is to moan. Goes well with there lack of humbleness as evident by the Reds bench on the weekend.
2 Go to commentsSBW’s bro’town commentary and lazy default to hyperbole should be ignored, a technical analyst he is not. Sotutu is a good player when games get goosey loosey, high skill set that fans of Zinzan recall with starry eyes. But you need power and mongrel at no8 in the Test arena and Sotutu gets found wanting there, much like Akira Ioane. No8’s like Zinzan and Ardie have bucketloads of mongrel and power and tenacity which allow the skill sets to flourish.
11 Go to commentsAn inside pass to attacker on the angle can make a drift defence look lead footed. Relies on fleet footed forward/s to get across from the breakdown. An argument for the smaller faster 7 perhaps?
6 Go to commentsSensational tackle. The reds one was late and rightly penalised. The other two were simultaneous with the pass. If nitpicking TMOs can’t find fault there clearly isn’t any.
2 Go to commentsBrumbies fully deserved their win on the back of their physicality and desire to control the ball. Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax should be the ABs starting front row when we start our test schedule. They have “come of age” and have bested all they have faced as well as been dominant with ball in hand in making the gainline. With De Groot, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell backed up by Taukei'aho and Cody Taylor there's not an international front row that can trouble us. Can't wait to face the Boks over there, won't be no one point game this time.
7 Go to commentsKinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
7 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
7 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
11 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
7 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
6 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to comments