Huraki and Kirke to leave then? Ablett to move to centre perminently?

There's another vid of Achurch on youtube.. where he makes his debut for Penrith.. the commentary team of Warren and Sterling like the look of him very much indeed!! Say he's a very good prospect

again.. another good effort

Whilst a average RL player, Achurch really excels in video editing.

At just 8 years of age, Achurch created all the special effects in the film, Independence Day. At the 2010 Oscars, Achurch accepted (and gave an emotional speach) the award for best special effects for Avatar.

As a hobby, he also creates videos of himself playing Rugby League and posts them to Youtube. The video you mention was actually filmed in his back garden. He used a blue bedsheet, his mum worked the camera and he dubbed commentary over the top. He suffers with low self-esteem.

It's more to do with the exchange rate rather than the salary cap. A decade ago, SL clubs could purchase an NRL player by matching or improving on the offer he had down under. Therefore when there were 3 dollars to the pound, an Aussie on A$300K a year could be persuaded to join a SL club for £150K as it represented A$450K. Today, any Aussie player looking for the equivalent of A$450K would require a SL club to offer a salary of over £300K!


I'm still waiting for someone to utter the comments... big unit, no nonsense, Glanville/Furner type signing, will do a solid job, etc, but that's a bit difficult given that hardly anyone has ever heard of him.

I'm hopeful that he'll go better than Cross and Hauraki.

I'm disappointed with the signing. Basically Mitch Achurch is a reserve grade player who has played a handful of games for a team that are favourites for the NRL wooden spoon! He's a big unit but has had major shoulder injuries in the past. I assume that GH must have been recommended to sign him for his possible potential. If you remember both Gary and Brian McD said we would only sign players who could add quality and experience to the team. On the face of it Achhurch could fail on both counts. GH said he was after changing the squad so I hope this signing works but as part of a bigger overall.

I don't think you've quite grasped the current reality WRT overseas signings. The opportunities no longer exist to sign top class imports so I'm afraid the days of the sleeve signing the likes of Bell, Cross, Hauraki, Barnhill, Mathiou, Millard and Donald are a thing of the past. Expect to be disappointed with overseas signing announcements for a very long time.

I understand the reality of any signings with the impact of the cap, exchange rate etc. I'm only repeating what our leaders said! Of the names you mentioned only Donald was good but others unnamed have been excellent ie Ali, Buderus etc. I would have thought Achurch will be paid at a minimum level and will not trouble the salary cap.

I think this could be a good signing.

Being very blunt I'd get rid of Hauraki, Kirke & Clarkson and then we'd have a solid set of back row options whilst also being able to give youth a chance due to the squad not being 'overstocked' on back rowers.

I'd go with a starting back row of Delaney, Achurch and Ward with JJB on the bench thus reducing his game time.

You so funny babe go you!!! xxx

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Have to wait and see who/if anybody leaves at the end of the season to see if it made sense to bring in a new signing. At least the age is right, we have him from 24 until he's 28 potentially and our signings directly from the NRL have generally been better ever since 2004* when we got Bai and Ali compared to the early 2000 likes of Mullins, Ben Walker, Barnhill.

* Notable exceptions in Mark O'Neill and Ben Cross, who to be fair was a McClennen signing (and a Buderus mate recommendation) that i don't think McDermott was too bothered about having.

It's all good fun speculating what the lad can and cannot do,let's give the lad our
support and see what happens.
As lots of people have commented the days of splashing out on a top Aussie player have gone,due to salary cap etc etc. And a host of other reasons all well
documented on these threads.

never heard of the lad before this but at least its in a position we are in need of an injection of life and if it leads to the back of hauraki then its a decent move in my eyes.hope they are now looking for a good go forward prop now which should complete next seasons squad with ablett likely to make move to permenant centre.

Well certainly looks good from his highlight video, but it's important to remember its just that. Not going to show any of the rubbish.

He is exacally the sort of signing we will see from AUS. We won't get the big names coming over except for the ones who have messed up filmed themselves with dogs etc

Will reserve judgement till I have actually seen him play but not too dissapointed and the thought that this probably means the back of hauraki can only be a good thing!

I've heard Melbourne and Manly were after him, looks like a good player.

Sounds quite a similar signing to Gelling in all honesty.

Good one.

[urlhttp://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/achurch-joins-leeds-064704523.html[/url

Australian forward Mitch Achurch has signed for Leeds and immediately set his sights on playing for England in the 2013 World Cup.

The 24-year-old Penrith Panthers forward, whose mother was born in London, will join the reigning Super League champions on a four-year contract from November. The 6st 5in, 18st Achurch, who has also played for North Queensland Cowboys, has made eight appearances for the Panthers so far this season, including their defeat at Melbourne on Saturday.

"It was obviously a big decision for me but my mum still has a lot of family in England and this feels like the right decision for me," he said.

"Growing up, every kid dreams of playing in the NRL and I have done that now and it was flattering to have both Penrith and Manly keen to sign me.

"I think the Super League competition will suit my natural game and I am excited about coming over to England for the next four years at least, but hopefully longer.

"My first focus is coming over and doing my best for Leeds Rhinos but obviously with my heritage that would make me available for England and the World Cup next year.

"There is a long way to go between now and then and I need to be playing well but training and playing with world-class players at the Rhinos can only help me to develop as a player."

Leeds coach Brian McDermott said: "We are always looking to identify young talent both in Super League and elsewhere and Mitch is someone we were keen to sign once we had spotted his potential.

"At 24, he is obviously not the finished product but it has been great to speak to him and hear his appetite to develop and fulfil his potential here at the Rhinos over the next four seasons."

Where does it say Melbourne were after him in that?

Looking at the Toyota cup video looks a similar style to Gareth Ellis, perhaps when he was at Wests they spent some time together?

It doesn't but it clearly states manly were keen on him

Having never seen him play I know one thing

He's a massive improvement on Huaraki

I never said they weren't



It does say Penrith and Manly were interested