Hardaker transfer listed by Rhinos for £300000

[westhuller]

NRL bound apparently, massive loss for Leeds though he's been way off his form from last year.

[philipw]

http://www.therhinos.co.uk/news/hardaker-transfer-listed-by-rhinos-25390#.V1KjK1ccbdk

 

Zak Hardaker, the Leeds Rhinos and England full back and 2015 Man of Steel, has been transfer listed by the Rhinos with a £300,000 valuation.

Hardaker signed for the Rhinos in 2011 from Featherstone Rovers and has gone onto make 154 appearances, scoring 67 tries and 45 goals.  He played in all three Tests for England in their series win over World Champions, New Zealand last year. Hetherington, the Rhinos Chief Executive said, “We have agreed with Zak that the opportunity to continue his career at another club is in both parties best interests 

"Zak has established his credentials as a World Class player and at the age of 24 he has so much to look forward to.  He has given great service to the Rhinos as a Full Back, Winger and Centre and he will remain part of our squad until a transfer is agreed.  I have no doubt he will continue to give his best as he always does.”
 
Zak Hardaker commented, “I explained my desire to leave and test myself in the NRL to Gary several weeks ago and I am pleased the club is prepared to release me.  I have had five great years here and have had so many wonderful times.  I will continue to help the team whilst I am here but I am also excited with what the future may hold for me”.
 
Brian McDermott, Rhinos Head Coach said, “Zak is a special talent and a fierce competitor who will do well wherever he plays.  We won’t be quite the same without him, but we’ve come to this decision and he will leave with our best wishes.”

[Wollo Wollo Wayoo]

Heart as big as a pea.

[bobbruce]

Good player but I give him a couple of years in the NRL before he does something stupid and has to come back.

[Allora]

Is that a $511,000 Au transfer fee that Leeds are asking?

I doubt many NRL Clubs will be lining up for him even without a fee.

[Derwent]

They'd be lucky to get £3,000 for him on his form the year, he has been absolutely awful.

[bobbruce]

Is that a $511,000 Au transfer fee that Leeds are asking?

I doubt many NRL Clubs will be lining up for him even without a fee.

That's probably the reason for the fee.

[roughyedspud]

Wasn't there a article last week somewhere saying no NRL club was interested in him??

St helens could a option? Then stick lomax back in the halves

[RabbitRhinoovOZ]

Maybe Newcastle will bite as they are a real mess but even with out the massive transfer fee I'm doubtful Australian clubs would be overly interested in Hardaker. Watkins or Hall would be a different story.

[Oxford]

They'd be lucky to get £3,000 for him on his form the year, he has been absolutely awful.

I don't like to bash individual players in the truly team game but his form wouldn't merit the fee, NRL interest or his self-image at present!

[roughyedspud]

Maybe Newcastle will bite as they are a real mess but even with out the massive transfer fee I'm doubtful Australian clubs would be overly interested in Hardaker. Watkins or Hall would be a different story.

As bad as newcastle are...ive heard they've got no wiggle room in the salary cap..

[Old Frightful]

I'm not sure how ignorant of SL players the Aussies are but if they had a look at Hardaker's form this year they will probably wonder if there's perhaps a couple of extra noughts on that fee in error.

 

He'll never leave these shores with a price tag like that, in fact he won't leave Leeds.

[RabbitRhinoovOZ]

God I hope Souths don't sign him given Inglis is in the halves now and we are looking for a FB. 

[kiyan]

Does anyone know if he would even get a visa with his past indiscretions/cautions? I ask as a genuine question as I know nothing of Australian visa regs, my impression is they aren't light.

[Oxford]

He'll never leave these shores with a price tag like that, in fact he won't leave Leeds.

Maybe Leeds are playing for time in the hope things will turn the corner and stars will find form and a reason to stay?

[Allora]

Hall has faded in the last couple of years.

Watkins has not delivered on his build up as our Greg Inglis and has dropped off IMO

[MrFussy]

Would be a good move for all parties now I think. He's helped Leeds achieve a lot, including them having one of the greatest seasons in memory. He's done his bit and if they can get that sort of price for him now I think we can say he's been more than worth having in more ways than one. Even though he looks a far worse player this year we know what he's capable of, and a change of scenery could completely revitalise him. The young lad at Leeds (Golding?) looks like a pretty good replacement to me.

[MrFussy]

Wasn't there a article last week somewhere saying no NRL club was interested in him??

St helens could a option? Then stick lomax back in the halves

I'd be shocked if we paid that sort of money for anyone these days, and I don't think Leeds would be happy selling him to a rival club. He certainly has a lot of qualities that we're lacking though. That being said the price and some of his past behaviour would make me uneasy.

[Allora]

Does anyone know if he would even get a visa with his past indiscretions/cautions? I ask as a genuine question as I know nothing of Australian visa regs, my impression is they aren't light.

What are his indiscretions? 

Fighting, Homophobia, was he labeled a Racist? I forget.

None of those issues would bar you from many Countries.

[Oxford]

What are his indiscretions? 

Fighting, Homophobia, was he labeled a Racist? I forget.

None of those issues would bar you from many Countries.

Sadly true!

[Teessidewire]

He's had an awful season and any sort of fee seems like too much at the moment. Is this Leeds starting the clearout?

[Futtocks]

Hardaker is a very good player who is currently playing badly. If any NRL coaches are interested, they can watch footage from seasons other than this one, and might consider him a challenge worth taking on, to bring him back into form.

[Allora]

Hardaker is a very good player who is currently playing badly. If any NRL coaches are interested, they can watch footage from seasons other than this one, and might consider him a challenge worth taking on, to bring him back into form.

Not many NRL Clubs I can think of have Fullbacks that Hardaker would challenge for their spot.

 

Not many Backs do well in the NRL, Sam Tomkins was our best player in a generation, started slow with many mistakes, hit a good patch for a few games and disappeared injured or missing in action until he came home early from NZ, the fact they were happy to release him from the biggest contract with transfer fee in History says it all.

[kiyan]

What are his indiscretions? 

Fighting, Homophobia, was he labeled a Racist? I forget.

None of those issues would bar you from many Countries.

Getting a police caution for seeking out a young student and giving him a hiding would prevent a visa to some countries.

[Allora]

Getting a police caution for seeking out a young student and giving him a hiding would prevent a visa to some countries.

A police caution suggests it was a warning.

If he did not go before a Court and have a conviction posted against him it would not even show up on his record.