Could we afford Julian Savea?

[Neils]

Report at weekend said his wife and kids were moving back because they were unsettled in Sth France.

[NellyWellyWaspy]

Asked about signing a superstar Winger (you know who), Wasps relied, 'We'll See.'

https://twitter.com/georgeheminway/status/1097524211529207810

[Neils]

Interesting comment to make instead of not responding.

[RBB]

Agree, as official Twitter accounts are very unlikely to mislead...I would bet on Naholo ahead of Savea, as that has some history whereas the Savea link would be very knee-jerk. Is Naholo a superstar though?

[wasps]

Assuming we have a Wade+Mullan sized hole in our spending for the remainder of the season, and also assuming we aren't on the precipice of bankruptcy, it seems like a minimal risk if we can get him for the rest of the season with an option for another 2 afterwards.


I find it hard to believe that someone who was as good as he was a couple of seasons ago would be that poor for us, given that we're currently using a (no offence meant) centre from the championship on the wing at the moment.


If he is friends with Lima too, maybe that'll help him relax a little bit too

[Neils]

The big Bouj of Toulon just quoted as Savea has a very long final year of his contract. Quote says Bouj quoted as saying he is on $1.65m PER YEAR. We can't afford him and he is going to have to be benched or worse. Nasty.

From stuff.co.nz

[RBB]

The Toulon owner as expected is being pretty erratic. At first he says Savea is released, and then he says he will place him in some sort of forced purgatory. Surely as the owner is the one forcing the player to be benched then Savea has just cause to claim that his rugby career could be over as a result of a season and a half being forced to stay, then not play. I find the whole thing bewildering, how could someone so immense as a player suddenly become sub-standard, Rhys Webb also on the way out early. Toulon and the French system have to be questioned.

[Neils]

Webb is different as his family couldn't settle - in particular one son apparently. Webb was quoted yesterday on saying his greater family in Wales would help the family whilst he fulfilled his contract. Stressing that he had not asked to leave. Bet he does though.

[RBB]

I bet he leaves as well. Chabal also taking aim at the Toulon owner.

[Hymenoptera]

Webb said he's staying put for the last year of a very lucrative contract.

His fall from grace started in NZ for the AB's then the Canes and wasn't overnight but surely wont have been helped playing in a poor team out of position with no structure.

Tho, by all accounts, he has looked somewhat lackadaisical in his general play which isn't position related and dare i say unfit. Getting hosed by the Agen winger was the last straw i guess, who was quick but not frighteningly.

The french reaction is unbelievable, wishing his mum cancer etc... it defies belief.

[RBB]

Good article on Rugby Pass https://www.rugbypass.com/news/its-not-all-about-the-money-a-warning-for-european-bound-all-blacks

[Green Wasp]

Seemingly back in the fold and starting at the weekend...albeit at 12. Fekitoa on bench.

[Neils]

As said in the Toulon thread. Strange days at Toulon.