Solid signings for Warrington for me. I know little about the Wests lad but Dudson and Kasiano are big, solid options who will do pretty well for a couple of years. It’s probably a sign of the times that the two Catalans lads will vastly improve them, given they’re both past the peak of their careers but it is what it is.

And Catalans being Catalans, they can seemingly open up masses of cap space every time a player leaves, even if said player is reasonably average (certainly in salary terms in Dudsons case).

I’ve just read that Taukeiaho will be one replacement (which has been around for a while) but a new one on me is that they’re in for Wade Graham as well. I genuinely want teams to be able to spend what they can and have no issue with it but nobody can tell me they’re going to be able to carry Tomkins, Pearce, Taukeiaho and Graham in the same squad and not be breaking the current rules. Absolutely fair play to them how they manage to get around it.

NickyKiss wrote:

And Catalans being Catalans, they can seemingly open up masses of cap space every time a player leaves, even if said player is reasonably average (certainly in salary terms in Dudsons case).

I’ve just read that Taukeiaho will be one replacement (which has been around for a while) but a new one on me is that they’re in for Wade Graham as well. I genuinely want teams to be able to spend what they can and have no issue with it but nobody can tell me they’re going to be able to carry Tomkins, Pearce, Taukeiaho and Graham in the same squad and not be breaking the current rules. Absolutely fair play to them how they manage to get around it.

Taukeiaho has 100% signed, Trent Robinson mentioned he was off to Catalans a couple of months ago on NRL360

Wade Graham has missed a lot of rugby with injury, concussions I think ? Great player went fit though.

NSW wrote:

Taukeiaho has 100% signed, Trent Robinson mentioned he was off to Catalans a couple of months ago on NRL360

Wade Graham has missed a lot of rugby with injury, concussions I think ? Great player went fit though.

That would be double risky alongside Tom Johnstone. They are probably the only club who can go boom or bust on a few players though, as salary cap space seems to be pretty endless. They’ll have a cracking side if they can get everyone on the field at the same time.

NickyKiss wrote:

And Catalans being Catalans, they can seemingly open up masses of cap space every time a player leaves, even if said player is reasonably average (certainly in salary terms in Dudsons case).

I’ve just read that Taukeiaho will be one replacement (which has been around for a while) but a new one on me is that they’re in for Wade Graham as well. I genuinely want teams to be able to spend what they can and have no issue with it but nobody can tell me they’re going to be able to carry Tomkins, Pearce, Taukeiaho and Graham in the same squad and not be breaking the current rules. Absolutely fair play to them how they manage to get around it.

Numerous times I've alluded to why Wigan couldn't match/get anywhere near what catalans were offering Tomkins salary wise when he left 4 seasons ago

Not going to go over the same old ground (and I'm not comfortable discussing players salary/numbers when being told in confidence) but it's fair to say that Sam being on slightly more at catalans than what Wigan offered translated to literally hundreds of thousands in his pocket extra at the end of the deal due to Tax and other concessions they get (dont think james maloney is playing where he is out of the goodness of his heart, there's a reason for it).

Top line, they can make the salary cap go 20/30 whatever % further whilst still operating at the same fixed level for various RFL reasons (exchange rate agreement) and mostly French income/tax rules.

Jukesays wrote:

Numerous times I've alluded to why Wigan couldn't match/get anywhere near what catalans were offering Tomkins salary wise when he left 4 seasons ago

Not going to go over the same old ground (and I'm not comfortable discussing players salary/numbers when being told in confidence) but it's fair to say that Sam being on slightly more at catalans than what Wigan offered translated to literally hundreds of thousands in his pocket extra at the end of the deal due to Tax and other concessions they get (dont think james maloney is playing where he is out of the goodness of his heart, there's a reason for it).

Top line, they can make the salary cap go 20/30 whatever % further whilst still operating at the same fixed level for various RFL reasons (exchange rate agreement) and mostly French income/tax rules.

So the old level playing field teams wanted isn’t quite as level as they’d hoped for. I’d read about the tax rules helping them out but wasn’t aware there was anything more to it. So basically they won’t break any cap rules but that’s because they’re legally able to get more money in to their players pockets. I’m happy for teams to pay what they think they can afford anyway but it makes a mockery of bothering with a cap in the first place.

NickyKiss wrote:

So the old level playing field teams wanted isn’t quite as level as they’d hoped for. I’d read about the tax rules helping them out but wasn’t aware there was anything more to it. So basically they won’t break any cap rules but that’s because they’re legally able to get more money in to their players pockets. I’m happy for teams to pay what they think they can afford anyway but it makes a mockery of bothering with a cap in the first place.

The cap doesn't exactly level the playing field anyway because not every club can afford to spend up to it. All it does is stops the richer clubs from signing everyone and making the gap even bigger than it already is.

Egg Chasing wrote:

The cap doesn't exactly level the playing field anyway because not every club can afford to spend up to it. All it does is stops the richer clubs from signing everyone and making the gap even bigger than it already is.

Oh yeah, I agree but the Catalans situation highlights that it isn’t the all singing, all dancing leveller some clubs want. We’d actually be in a poor situation if it was scrapped, as it feels like at least 2 or 3 clubs would comfortably outspend us. I do wonder if the game would attract more cashed up owners if they were able to spend freely and not have their hands tied but I doubt we’ll find out, especially when we’re voting on reducing it.

NickyKiss wrote:

Oh yeah, I agree but the Catalans situation highlights that it isn’t the all singing, all dancing leveller some clubs want. We’d actually be in a poor situation if it was scrapped, as it feels like at least 2 or 3 clubs would comfortably outspend us. I do wonder if the game would attract more cashed up owners if they were able to spend freely and not have their hands tied but I doubt we’ll find out, especially when we’re voting on reducing it.

I think we may finally see the year of the wolf if it gets scrapped.

I would go back to a % of income personally. Rewards the clubs that can be bothered to try and get fans through the door and promote the club/sport. The message to the stay away fans then is simple - turn up and you can sign better players.