THere's no saying that had we offered Smith more he'd stay. Cast your minds back a year, and Leeds weren't so keen to keep hold of him were they. Shouldn't expect loyalty in that situation.

I think he may have left even if Wasps hadn't been after him

At the end of the day Leed's will have in all probability made Delaney a better offer than the Titans, BUT the main thing is he's young, he's still learning and he's not here to finish his career and just take home a pay packet til he calls it a day

Will reserve judgement un till/if he plays for us. We can only hope that GH and BM have seen something everyone else hasn't.

It is a good point that Keith may move into the pack so there still maybe a spot for Ratu/Watkins.

What's the point of moving Senior into a more physical role in the pack this late in his career when he's one of the most creative centres in the competition?

By everyone else you mean 2 or 3 posters on here...

he is leaving Leeds for the bright lights of london because his missus lives and works down there

So he is just coming for the money then

Doesn't every player get swayed by money?

You said previously he could not find a club in the NRL. The Titans offered him a 4 year deal which would suggest he was a wanted player.

Personally I dont really care if he was swayed by money. I only care that he is worth that money.

It's not a name that means anything to me.

Is he regarded as a right or left centre in the NRL?

Left as far as I know. But on Rhinos site it says he's Lee Smith's replacement.

Has any Australian rugby league player ever come to England for anything but money?

Potentially a bit like when Scott Donald replaced Mark Calderwood and Clinton Toopi replaced Chev Walker despite both playing on the opposite flank in the NRL.

Sailor came for `Hills

Richie Mathers says in the YEP that he's a left centre but i've seen the Titans a few times this season and everytime Delaney plays right centre, Esi Tonga is there left centre.

Versatile by the sounds of it. That's a plus point.

Rightly or wrongly, its not seen as being significant by the management when discussing threequarters.

Over recent years Toopi, Gibson, Senior, Watkins, Ratu have all played in both centre positions.

Whether its the best use of them is another arguemnet

England international centre replaced by average Aussie journeyman.

I would have expected better from the Rhino's who are probably one of the better clubs at bringing through young british talent.

Which young British centre is better than this current NRL regular?
The only British options are:
Atkins
Shenton
Yeaman

or from our academy:
Ratu
Watkins
Gibson

Now Atkins simply isnt good enough and Yeaman and Shenton are both under contract until the end of 2010 at least.
So you're saying we have to pick from our academy.
Gibson appears to be on his way to Cas next year, so that leaves Ratu and Watkins, neither of whom are ready for 1st team rugby every single week.
It's not an unreasonable signing.

Wouldn't that be a bit like Scott Donald replacing Mark Calderwood..

You mean the england international who's switching codes being replaced by a 23yr old aussie centre who was selected for city v country,is a starter for the 3rd placed NRL club and was offered a 4yr deal to stay.
You worry about yer own club

we'll continue to bring through our youngsters and make signings to add to the depth and quality we have.

I think the last release from the PR machine was that the deadline for the appeal decision was 12th or 13th August so hopefully we'll know if we're ever going to see him in a Rhinos shirt very soon

Not the first and probably not the last to come to the end of his long term junior contract, have an incredible sum of money put to him from RU and thought: I'll have some of that.

See Chev Walker for reference.

I never booed him once, but as a paying supporter I can be annoyed when a player just doesn't fit the bill!

Don't get me wrong I don't doubt his commitment and attitude (he did always try hard) but he was rubbish. U talk about the "big hits" he put in, but how many tries were leaked in his centre?! He did fill in at loose forward, ansd he had a few good drives there but that really was it!

If Delaney is anything like him, this is a step in the wrong direction. I wud much rather see Shenton or Atkins, or maybe even Ratu on the last couple of outings to anyone that resembles Toopi!

Jesus christ people.....some are writing Delaney off before he's even played a game for us (he might not even get a visa yet

)

I bet most haven't even seem him play?

As some have said he cannot be that bad.He's a regular starter for a team that are 3rd in the NRL.He's been picked for the City versus Country which is basically a reserve/trial match for State of Origin and he's only 23!

The club can do no right.

Sign a 30 plus year old Aussie veteran and he's past it,here for his pension.

Sign 23 year old whose a regular NRL starter and because hardly anyone has heard of him he cannot be upto much.

Lets hope he doesn't read this forum as otherwise he might be tempted to jump in his car and get a couple of speeding tickets



Lets trust the clubs judgement.They've obviously seen something in him that they think will improve the team.

And lastly lets give the kid a warm welcome and a chance to show the doubters wrong (not just 1 or 2 games).

Anyone remember an Aussie by the name of Donald? He hasn't turned out too bad despite loads of negativity after his first few months here.

If you are reading Brett,welcome to Leeds.Lets hope you have a long,enjoyable and succesful stay with the Rhinos and eventually return home with a few winners medals