23 replies to this topic

[Maximus Decimus]

Must admit I'd be surprised and sad to see him go back so soon.

http://itvwales.word...to-rugby-union/

[3owls]

Ah well, he's been knocked out a couple of times, spent plenty of time sitting in the stand injured and been involved in the most talked about incident of the rugby league season due to the "abuse" he received at Cas. Hell be about fifty in 2011 so won't be much of a loss.

[guess who]

Maybe league was just to hard for him.

[steef]

its a bit of a non story really, he'll still be there next year and given his age would he have been offered a deal beyond next season?

[The Future is League]

To be honest 2 years in Rugby League was always going to be maximum for him at his age. if and when he leaves our game i wish him well.

[Bulletproof]

Signing GT was never really about the on field product, it was about a huge name in Wales giving the game publicity. He has never really stopped bigging it up and no matter what path he goes in I really wish him well.

[hindle xiii]

Union raiding league again.

[Native New Yorker]

Signing GT was never really about the on field product, it was about a huge name in Wales giving the game publicity. He has never really stopped bigging it up and no matter what path he goes in I really wish him well.

Totally agree

[Wendall]

His signing for Cru has done what it intended, raised the profile of RL and the club. If he does go back its no great loss.

[Millman]

He seems like a top bloke to me; although not much of an RL player and not worth his place other than for PR value. That's not stopped him giving it his best and speaking with eloquence and a bit of charm. Daft accent though.

[foozler]

Seeing how he seems to so much enjoy RL, if he wants to move to London, why don't Quins RL go for him - I'm sure he could do a similar job for them as he did at Wrexham. Alfie's got a decent media profile, could be just the ticket to get more bums on seats at Quins.

Come to think of it, maybe the RFL could do a deal with Quins to get him on board, have Alfie as if you like "our man in London" promoting the game across the levels with a % of his salary coming directly from Red Hall. Strikes me he could revel in such a role, he likes talking and comes across as fairly articulate and is positive about our sport. I can imagine him being a good promoter for our game in schools in and around London.

Edited by foozler, 21 October 2010 - 07:17 PM.

[petero]

His signing for Cru has done what it intended, raised the profile of RL and the club. If he does go back its no great loss.

Not on the field of play it isn't!
He should not have got on a blow football team again following his first tackle in the game, let alone his first match.

Stop wishing him well, he is yet another onionista who in turn will downplay R/L, just like all the others, with only a few exceptions to that .
He had one good run V Bradford in Edinburgh. Scored a try that anyone writing on here could possibly have done so also and in general was not up to playing the game at a high level of the amateur game never mind S/L his presence in it was an insult to many a pro who are playing in the lower leagues.

Just like that other turncoat Robinson, he is a dyed in the wool union person ( no slight intended ) and its no surprise that this has occurred.

[MrPosh]

Looking at the teams he is being linked with - I would assume they are all amateur sides or very nearly so.

So that to me means he is finishing his stint at the Crusaders and effectively retiring. As opposed to the semi-retirement that Les and Shontayne are enjoying.

[foozler]

Looking at the teams he is being linked with - I would assume they are all amateur sides or very nearly so.

So that to me means he is finishing his stint at the Crusaders and effectively retiring. As opposed to the semi-retirement that Les and Shontayne are enjoying.

They're all semi pro, with London Welsh being the most ambitious.

[3owls]

Signing GT was never really about the on field product, it was about a huge name in Wales giving the game publicity. He has never really stopped bigging it up and no matter what path he goes in I really wish him well.

What sort of publicity has he brought the game so far ? Mention Gareth Thomas alongside rugby league you'll find Castleford and homophobia is on most peoples lips. I don't see he's made a jot of difference to raising the games profile in a positive way or increasing the crowds at wrexham. Probably a decent bloke but in footballing terms akin to Paul Gascoigne managing Kidderminster, ultimately a fruitless exercise.

[Wolford6]

Maybe Iestyn Harris has told Gareth Thomas that he is unlikely to be first-choice at the Crusaders next year.

Gareth Thomas is a single gay man. I doubt if there is much of a "scene" in Wrexham, or Neath ... in either case, he is too high-profile in Wales to risk a scandal. Who could blame him fancying a move to London?

He has never shown anything but commitment and credit to RL, and the people who slag him off on this board are demeaning themselves more than him.

[clement]

All i can say is at least he had a go unlike a lot of union guys.

[tonyXIII]

All i can say is at least he had a go unlike a lot of union guys.

... and a few on here.

[ckn]

... and a few on here.

A few?

[Maximus Decimus]

Must admit I didn't realise it was for the end of next year which to be honest makes a lot of sense. He'll be 38 making him about 4 years older than anybody else in Super League.

2 years is long enough to have given the game a fair crack.