Jason Baitieri to the Catalans

[audois]

Two year contract for the 21 year old Sydney Roosters loose forward. Of course son of Tas Baitieri who was in charge at PSG. Jason was born in France. Only a couple of NRL appearances under his belt. His dad has been a big influence on the games development over the last decade or so in both Europe and Australia. Nice to have that link up but what happens on the pitch will be what counts. Dragons appear to be going back to the type of overseas lads they started with at the start.

[Wendall]

Two year contract for the 21 year old Sydney Roosters loose forward. Of course son of Tas Baitieri who was in charge at PSG. Jason was born in France. Only a couple of NRL appearances under his belt. His dad has been a big influence on the games development over the last decade or so in both Europe and Australia. Nice to have that link up but what happens on the pitch will be what counts. Dragons appear to be going back to the type of overseas lads they started with at the start.

Hmm not sure about this signing but at least he's French!

The big names from the NRL they have had recently like Ryles, Walker and Johnson have turned out to be duffers so maybe some lesser names will be keener to impress.

[ParisSurtout]

Two year contract for the 21 year old Sydney Roosters loose forward. Of course son of Tas Baitieri who was in charge at PSG. Jason was born in France. Only a couple of NRL appearances under his belt. His dad has been a big influence on the games development over the last decade or so in both Europe and Australia. Nice to have that link up but what happens on the pitch will be what counts. Dragons appear to be going back to the type of overseas lads they started with at the start.

You may have missed it, but Jason Baiteiri's signing was first reported on the "French captain Olivier Elima has gone to Bradford" thread here:

Latest information.

Certain acquisitions for Les Catalans:

Vincent Duport (Toulouse) -- centre/winger

Ian Henderson (NZ Warriors) -- hooker

Scott Dureau (Newcastle Knights) -- scrum half

Lopini Paea (Sydney Roosters) -- prop

Jason Baiteiri (Sydney Roosters) -- lock forward

Possible acquisitions for Les Catalans:

Ben Farrar (Manly Sea Eagles ) - center

Certain releases from Les Catalans:

Olivier Elima (to Bradford) -- second row

Dimitri Pelo (to Montpellier RU) - wing

Casey McGuire (retiring) -- hooker

Steve Bell (retiring) -- centre/wing

Andrew Bentley (to FC Lezignan) -- second row

Kane Bentley (no club) -- hooker

Dallas Johnson (North Queensland Cowboys) -- lock

Possible release from Les Catalans:

Chris Walker -- wing / full back

The club wanted to release the highly paid Johnson, because they have Mounis and Baiteiri to play lock, and then they can use the money to buy Ben Farrar.

Jason Baiteiri is, as you point out, the son of Tas Baiteiri. But that won't do him any favours with Bernard Guasch. Tas's stepson and Jason's half brother, the bilingual Nicolas Rayer, was a former CEO at Les Catalans, and he found it impossible to stay. According to my informants Nicolas was forced to resign by Bernard because he tried to run the club more like a modern legitimate business, rather than more like a Mediterranean brothel.

Hopefully Jason will have better treatment than Nicolas received. Obviously new coach Trent Robinson wanted him, and that will be his best support and protection, rather than his family connection. However he has only played one NRL game so far for Sydney Roosters, so likely he will start as back up for Mounis. But as such he will be not be wasting time for his career because injuries are sure to give him a few runs in the big time. He is also a good signing for the club because he is classed as French, not an import, yet has Australian experience.

Edited September 1, 2010 by ParisSurtout

[ParisSurtout]

Edit Double post

Edited September 1, 2010 by ParisSurtout

[audois]

Hmm not sure about this signing but at least he's French!

The big names from the NRL they have had recently like Ryles, Walker and Johnson have turned out to be duffers so maybe some lesser names will be keener to impress.

You think of the likes of Justin Murphy, John Wilson and especially Alex Chan, 'the padre' as they called him who all spilt blood for the cause. Not great players but committed to the cause fully. Got them to Wembley and third place in 2008 playing above themselves may be. The club have some re-building to do now. What is better now than when they first kicked off is that they've got a solid nucleus of half a dozen experienced French lads all with around 100 games under their belts, Guisset, Mounis, Bosc, Casty, Ferriol, Raguin and Fakir. This will make it easier for the next wave of youngsters. Expect something more especially from Baile and Martins in 2011. Both in early 20's but been out injured for most of this year. Fingers crossed.

[dunno much]

Audois, have heard that Guasch is not too keen on some of his key Dragons players in taking part in the Euro Cup in October & may rest them. That & with Greenshields not being available, wouldn't this be a great opportunity to blood younger hopefuls?

[Hornetto]

Jason's been playing NSW Cup for the Newtown Jets this year (they have a feeder agreement with Easts).

Another Bluebag in SL.

[audois]

Audois, have heard that Guasch is not too keen on some of his key Dragons players in taking part in the Euro Cup in October & may rest them. That & with Greenshields not being available, wouldn't this be a great opportunity to blood younger hopefuls?

Must admit wasn't aware that Bernard Guasch was against Dragons players taking part in EC. He's certainly not a fan of the mid-season Tests. Hadn't heard about Greenshields not available either. If so may be injury issues. Think the EC is really, really big for France with Four Nations riding on it. Its a chance for the French lads to get some credibility back into their game. Hope so.

[Jeffles]

Jason's been playing NSW Cup for the Newtown Jets this year (they have a feeder agreement with Easts).

Another Bluebag in SL.

Maybe we could apply for a license. The RFL are into expansion.

[winnyason]

They don't want to sign more overpaid duds that get homesick when the going gets tough, Baiteri is a strange one cannot see him getting a start even with elima gone and johnson, as carlaw, fakir, mounis will fill backrow.

To me they seem in the rebuilding stage, the off loading of johnson would suggest freeing up money for ben farrar.

Other rumours:

Griffi - to crusaders, kane bentley - wakefield or toulouse, Josh lewis - confirmed toulouse.

[boxhead]

They don't want to sign more overpaid duds that get homesick when the going gets tough, Baiteri is a strange one cannot see him getting a start even with elima gone and johnson, as carlaw, fakir, mounis will fill backrow.

To me they seem in the rebuilding stage, the off loading of johnson would suggest freeing up money for ben farrar.

Other rumours:

Griffi - to crusaders, kane bentley - wakefield or toulouse, Josh lewis - confirmed toulouse.

That would not be on the field compared to the NRL so if its homesick because of the Culture and different lifestyle. what does the Club do to make imports feel at home?

Surely Catalans or English Clubs should recognize the culture shock and have a professional setup that integrates the imports and eases the settling in period?

[ParisSurtout]

They don't want to sign more overpaid duds that get homesick when the going gets tough, Baiteri is a strange one cannot see him getting a start even with elima gone and johnson, as carlaw, fakir, mounis will fill backrow.

To me they seem in the rebuilding stage, the off loading of johnson would suggest freeing up money for ben farrar.

Other rumours:

Griffi - to crusaders, kane bentley - wakefield or toulouse, Josh lewis - confirmed toulouse.

I don't know why you refer to the new signings as possible over paid duds. For a start you don't know what they are being paid. Whether they will be duds or not is yet to be determined.

The likely backrow of Mounis, Fakir, Carlaw and Raguin (one of these a bench player) will be backed up by Gossard and Baiteiri. Injuries occur every season, so that is when young Baiteiri will get a run, as I pointed out.

Sa is a utility, to be played at centre or second row.

Baile is ikely to be one centre. I am not sure if Farrar will be signed, and if he is, whether it is because Greenshields is leaving, or else to be an addition to Greenshields as a utility back (centre/fullback). Hopefully the latter.

Edited September 2, 2010 by ParisSurtout

[Hornetto]

Maybe we could apply for a license. The RFL are into expansion.

I'd back that move. It's a shorter trip than neath.