There's nothing "extreme" about it. There is a bag full of historical evidence which says Union players find it hard going in league (as well as the reverse). Yes, there have been some notable successes (Davies, Offiah, Tait, Gibbs etc.), but all were pretty much at the peak of their powers when they arrived in league and only Offiah truly hit the ground running from game one. The rest took at least a season before they found their feet.



Thomas is long shy of his best and even if his fitness and body is up to it (which I doubt) you're looking at 12-18 months of substantial game time before he can be considered a true league player. By that time he could be 37. How many 37 year olds are tearing up SL at this moment? How many 37 year olds are even playing?? I can't think of any, but my memory is not what is used to be.

Try looking at the Bradford side i think a certain Steve Menzies is that age but he has been playing league for a long time. As i have said if he plays 3 or 4 time and gets some converts to league he will have done his job.

Menzies is 36 - and a league Legend.



Look - I don't bear any grudge against Thomas. I hope he works out. But I just don't see it happening. As an ambassador for CC I think he could be a revelation and that's where I see his future.

And Gareth Thomas is 36 now and a union legend.



Give the guy a chance if he cannot hack it well so be it but dont write someone off before they have played a game. And as i have stated before it can only raise the games profile in Wales and anything that can bring in new supporters can only be a good thing. And what is CC the (Challenge Cup) the team is now called Crusaders.

I wasn't aware that I was in disagreement with any of the above.

Having been watching him the few times he's played this season for the Cardiff Blues, he lacks the pace and movement off the breakdown that used to unlock some of the best backlines in RU and has been used as an impact sub when the game has been won or lost already to give the side direction. He clearly had achieved all he could in Union ,I don't know what Noble wants him for exactly, but his experience and passion when playing is bettered by no other man of either code.





I wasn't sure it was a good idea at first ,publicity aside, still am not , but we'll wait and see.......

waste of time and money and it just shows the ambition of the crusaders by signing over the hill union rejects

Actually its been very good PR up to now the Crusaders have has more press in the last week than for a long time.

Its made the news here in NZ!!!

Do you actually know what the word reject means?



Captained:

Bridgend Ravens

Celtic Warriors

Wales

British Lions



The ONLY player to win the Heineken Cup and a Grand slam in the same year.

100 international caps

At the time of his retirement from international rugby he held the Welsh try scoring record.



Yeah some "reject". You WISH you could attract such a decorated rugby player.



...



Now whether he's "over the hill" remains to be seen.

Absoluley spot on Grendel, I couldnt think of any other club outside the big four who would have the clout to make a signing that would make such impact on the game, he may not play much but the word of mouth created is already pretty significant.



One question I may ask, where do fans of both codes, who may have more knowledge of Union and Thomas (I know nothing about union and didnt even know where the guy played until i looked it up) think he will play?



Mugwump has made some good points albeit a tad harsh re; positions, once over wing could be considered a position to blood players in, not now. FWIW I would see him at centre, possibly second row?

Please forgive my ignorant, alleged Leigh fan - we have doubts with his postings on our site (troll alert).



On Thomas



1. Well done Mr T, not a spring chicken who has stuck his hand up to have a crack at the toughest game on the planet. I applaud you after all you have achieved in RU



2. Obvious wing, would be hard to stop near to line, defensively easy to slot in and should be safe under the high ball



3. Hope the Wrexham adventure is a success, it was obvious CC would fail in Bridgend -facilities, location, RU etc - and this has got the club more than his pay in publicity already.