Damien Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 Leeds bolster their wing stocks: Leeds have confirmed the signing of half-back Blake Austin from Warrington on a one-year contract for the 2022 season. The 30-year-old will join the Rhinos at the end of the season and becomes their third new signing for 2022 following on from St Helens forward James Bentley and Huddersfield half-back Aidan Sezer. Leeds confirm signing of Blake Austin | LoveRugbyLeague Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hela Wigmen Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 Where’s Shredded Wheat Head going? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunbar Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 Interesting signing. When Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer were at their best for the Raiders as a half back partnership they finished 2nd on the NRL ladder and went within 2 points of a Grand Final losing 14-12 away to Melbourne in a major semi-final (2016). They are both 30 so not over the hill - could they be a top quality half back pairing for Leeds and where does this leave Luke Gale if he is potentially not in the first choice half back pairing. "The history of the world is the history of the triumph of the heartless over the mindless." — Sir Humphrey Appleby. "If someone doesn't value evidence, what evidence are you going to provide to prove that they should value it? If someone doesn't value logic, what logical argument could you provide to show the importance of logic?" — Sam Harris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidM Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 Good signing imo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M j M Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 The current first choice Leeds half back pairing (Gale and Lui) haven't played together this season, a pattern which is going to continue for at least the next two games. I imagine the club views this as an excellent contingency - if all three half backs by some miracle happen to be fit at the same time, that's excellent. If not, then hopefully two of the three should be. The one year contract is widely reported to be at a very favourable rate for a player of Austin's theoretical quality (nowhere near marquee) and with both Austin and Gale out of contract at the end of 2022 it incentivises them both to really perform to earn new contracts either at Leeds or elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave T Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 I'm a big fan of Austin, I think he now looks miserable at Wire, I've made my views clear on why I think his attacking prowess has been stunted. I hope he regains some of his energy and enthusiasm and does well at Leeds, apart from against us obviously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M j M Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 2 minutes ago, Dave T said: I'm a big fan of Austin, I think he now looks miserable at Wire, I've made my views clear on why I think his attacking prowess has been stunted. Can you remind us of those views? 2 minutes ago, Dave T said: I hope he ... does well at Leeds, apart from against us obviously. Myler and Dwyer seem to perform above average when they play Warrington so hopefully the prospects for that aren't great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave T Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 6 minutes ago, M j M said: Can you remind us of those views? I'm not sure if you are pulling my leg as I often repeat myself on this , but: Austin came as a maverick off the cuff attacking focused player, who could do some other stuff like the kicking. Price with his negative tactics imho turned him into a Kevin Brown type player, so now we have somebody who is not far off a glorified second rower who kicks. He works hard, tries hard, and still shows glimpses, but a player like him should never be grubber kicking into touch on the 3rd like we have had him doing. I'd like to see him playing more creative Rugby again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M j M Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 6 minutes ago, Dave T said: I'm not sure if you are pulling my leg as I often repeat myself on this , but: Austin came as a maverick off the cuff attacking focused player, who could do some other stuff like the kicking. Price with his negative tactics imho turned him into a Kevin Brown type player, so now we have somebody who is not far off a glorified second rower who kicks. He works hard, tries hard, and still shows glimpses, but a player like him should never be grubber kicking into touch on the 3rd like we have had him doing. I'd like to see him playing more creative Rugby again. No not pulling your leg, I couldn't remember But I did imagine it had something to do with Stevie P. Not to worry though, Guru Agar will be able to get him back on the right track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommygilf Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 I think for a year its a very good option for Leeds to have options! We've seen this year how damaged we have been by injuries leavig us resorting to god knows which choice halfback pairings at times, so a player who is very capable in that position will be a great addition. Equally he can cover a fair few additional roles which is a positive for us. Its a real downside about our current interchange/subs rule that halfbacks and backs are essentially all or nothing as there is little chance of them appearing from the bench given the need to rotate forwards. That will leave 1 of Gale, Austin and Sezer out almost certainly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleD Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 McLelland will be off and I think he needs to for his own good. He's been unfortunate with injuries - he needs a good run of games at SL level but for a less high profile club, to develop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M j M Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 One other thought - Leeds are really making a big play for 2022 to be a big year for the club. Having three quality half backs is part of this. At the very least they don't want to risk being anywhere near the four team relegation stuff (if we do revert to a deeply unlovely ten team league). In fact they are probably taking a look at where Saints and Wigan are headed squad-wise next year and think they have a very good chance to win the thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 2 hours ago, Hela Wigmen said: Where’s Shredded Wheat Head going? No need to abuse people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 In Austin’s first season here I thought he and Hastings were head and shoulders above any other individual players, and Austin would still be an asset to any SL club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Browny Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 I think Austin has had some of his better games in the last few weeks, but definitely hasn't show enough in the last two seasons to justify keeping him on as a marquee player. Williams and Widdop, with Ratchford as cover, is more than enough halfback capacity if that is what we are going with next year. I can confirm 30+ less sales for Scotland vs Italy at Workington, after this afternoons test purchase for the Tonga match, £7.50 is extremely reasonable, however a £2.50 'delivery' fee for a walk in purchase is beyond taking the mickey, good luck with that, it's cheaper on the telly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunsletgreenandgold Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 Think this is one of those deals where it works out for everyone. Wire would be fair to say they don't really need him anymore (or at least certainly not at anything like what money he's currently on), Leeds definitely need strong cover in the halves (and possibly a fight between Gale and him for contract extension isn't a bad thing) and Austin just wants a decent pay day at this stage of his career and ideally at a club that will be challenging for honours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M j M Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 1 minute ago, hunsletgreenandgold said: and Austin just wants a decent pay day at this stage of his career Well he's not getting one at Leeds. At least not in 2022 at any rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 4 minutes ago, M j M said: Well he's not getting one at Leeds. At least not in 2022 at any rate. What salary do you think he’ll be on at Leeds then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clogiron Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 Better late than never. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M j M Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 7 minutes ago, Eddie said: What salary do you think he’ll be on at Leeds then? £75k to £100k. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angelic Cynic Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 2 new half backs for Sean Long to mould into the side, after the Kyle Eastmond episode, should serve them well. No reserves,but resilience,persistence and determination are omnipotent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunsletgreenandgold Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 18 minutes ago, M j M said: Well he's not getting one at Leeds. At least not in 2022 at any rate. Why, what's he getting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunsletgreenandgold Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 8 minutes ago, M j M said: £75k to £100k. Not a prayer he's signing a 1 year deal for anything like 75k! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M j M Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 Just now, hunsletgreenandgold said: Not a prayer he's signing a 1 year deal for anything like 75k! The low salary is the reason it's a one year deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunsletgreenandgold Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 4 minutes ago, M j M said: The low salary is the reason it's a one year deal. Not sure that makes sense to me? Surely if you're getting someone cheap you sign for longer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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