Jacks & Caprice - Yay or Nay? : Mon Feb 01, 2016 9:23 am  

Rather than trying to keep up with the odd comment in other threads...

Thoughts on whether or not you think the club should sign them to contracts?

Personally, I'd definitely sign Caprice and I'm still undecided on Jacks.

With Jacks, I think it's very difficult to judge if he's any good based on 120 minutes against lesser opposition. The half he played against Leeds was mainly their reserves, albeit some bloody good reserves, and the Cas game there was only Ryan Hampshire that really stood out. For a halfback especially, it's difficult to judge how good someone is until he's playing good opposition and has had time to settle in to the side. From what we have seen, I think Jacks has shown glimpses of some good play, but doesn't seem as involved as you'd like him to be, although again that could just be a lack of time with the team so far.

Caprice is very raw. A couple of things he did against Cas showed that he's clearly new to the game (one tackle especially looked more like clipping the bloke's leg than tackling him). However he is very fast and is very eager. He clearly wanted it badly and was putting every possible effort in to prove himself. If you could get him knowing the basics well and ensure he's not a defensive liability as new players to the game often are, he could be special. Certainly worth at least a 12 month deal to see how he progresses.

Re: Jacks & Caprice - Yay or Nay? : Mon Feb 01, 2016 9:52 am  

Think jacks has shown enough to be worth a punt. Halfback takes longer to gel than other positions so I wouldn't expect him to be having a massive influence just yet but he's looked solid defensively and keen to take line on. Another plus is he gives us more cover at hooker. If he was taking our last quota spot up I'd give him a miss but as we have 3 spots free and it's a specialist position we can take a punt and still have options later in year.

Caprice we really haven't seen enough of to make a judgement. No quota issues to worry about and isn't there som salary cap dispensation for union players switching codes?. Probably will come down to money whether he sign him or not but if he's not asking silly money I'd take him on.

Both one yr deals with options for extensions in clubs favour.

Re: Jacks & Caprice - Yay or Nay? : Mon Feb 01, 2016 10:09 am  

I would give them both deals. Jacks showed glimpses of what he can do, i'm sure as he becomes more confident he will become more involved. He's only spent a bit of time with the players and probably doesn't know the group well enough to start barking instructions at them. Plus in friendlies with rolling subs it's near impossible to get some cohesion.

Caprice looked raw, but there is something there for me. He has genuine pace which you can't coach. He took his high kick well and i thought defensively he did well not getting sucked in. Tackling he can improve but again, this can easily be coached.

I'd like to see them both get a full 80 against Swinton.

Re: Jacks & Caprice - Yay or Nay? : Mon Feb 01, 2016 10:19 am  

As I said in the other thread:

Is Jacks a better scrum half than Addy? We all know that Addy should be In the pack but if hes a better Scrum half than Jacks then I'd keep him there. We have plenty of other options for loose forward. If Jacks isn't better than Addy then is there any point signing him? As backup? We already have some backup options so is it worth spending money on yet another squad player?

I'm really disappointed with our scrum half recruitment again. Any signing in that position should come straight in and command that position. If we're having to debate whether or not he's good enough to take a punt on then he clearly isn't of the calibre that we need to lead our team. If that's the case then save the money and see if anybody becomes available later in the season.

I've not seen Jacks play yet so I can't comment on how he looks. I do know that Addy can do a job there though.

Re: Jacks & Caprice - Yay or Nay? : Mon Feb 01, 2016 10:30 am  

I think money comments are fair. Neither player looks a world beater right now, so if they're asking for large money, pass. However usually someone willing to take a trial deal isn't asking to be made rich. As long as they're willing to take a deal not at the top end of the pay scale, I think a year's contract is fair. Then if they prove themselves worthy of a pay rise, that can come in the next contract. And on the flip side if they don't prove themselves, they can be released.
We're unlikely to be privy to the financial info though!

Re: Jacks & Caprice - Yay or Nay? : Mon Feb 01, 2016 1:21 pm  

As I've said elsewhere, I think both are worth a 12 month deal with an option in the club's favour to extend by a further 12 months.

Jacks needs time to bed in at half back as well as adapt to the full time environment and try to form a partnership with Gaskell. We should know, baring injuries, if they can play together by around week 10. If they're clicking then great, if not then we can still keep an eye on who might be free for the back end of the season.

It's a similar situation with Caprice - he's switched codes and I'm not sure the 40 minutes or so he got on the wing is enough time to make a decision on his future. Again, he's got time to learn the game during the regular season as well as provide additional cover and competition for back line places.

Re: Jacks & Caprice - Yay or Nay? : Mon Feb 01, 2016 3:52 pm  

Difficult decision given we don't know the financial or cap details (or how they've been going in training). If we have enough cash spare and enough cap left after signing them for a potential game changer signing ahead of the 8's then I think I've seen enough in them to warrant giving them both a 12 month deal, that's more of a hunch with Caprice given I've only seen him for 20mins. If signing them both takes us to our max then I wouldn't.

If we did sign both we'd have a large squad again, (despite what Ferris said in the off season) So I'm guessing some people will be heading out on loan again.

Re: Jacks & Caprice - Yay or Nay? : Mon Feb 01, 2016 3:55 pm  

Sound like a couple of the East Morton set who go for country suppers in the Busfeild Arms with Bullseye.

Re: Jacks & Caprice - Yay or Nay? : Mon Feb 01, 2016 4:24 pm  

Anyone know what's up with Étu and Baille. No mention of injuries but no sign of them

[Bullseye]

Re: Jacks & Caprice - Yay or Nay? : Mon Feb 01, 2016 5:21 pm  

tigertot wrote:

Sound like a couple of the East Morton set who go for country suppers in the Busfeild Arms with Bullseye.

LOL. You sound worryingly familiar with the types that frequent that place. Was that you in the pink shirt and mustard coloured cords on Saturday?