Nashy
Immortal
Senior Staff
- Mar 5, 2008
- 54,078
- 34,333
I don't agree with the Oates situation TBH. I understand how it normally works, in that wingers can normally be attained cheap, because it's where you blood your rookie backs, and being young, fast, and able to contort is a winger's recipe.
In this case though, are there many, if any, wingers that can offer what Oates does? Radradra would come close, but his handling is worse than Oates' and I suspect he won't even see out the season. There are plenty who can finish like him, and there are a few that can really pump out a good 15 - 20 metre run to get the set of 6 off, but are there any that can do both? Why does he have to be in the back-row to earn good money? I'd be quite happy to pay him $600 - $700k (post cap increase) to stay on the wing and dominate.
In fact I am concerned a move to the back row will blunt him - he may be big and strong, but his speed will only be utilised if he makes a line break, his finishing ability will mean jack shit if he's not diving for the corners, and he won't be getting our sets off to a rolling start. And that's even before we factor in the wear & tear.
It could be rubbish, but I'm sure I read somewhere that they are worried about injuries if they leave him on the wing. Something about knees. Not sure, but maybe someone who retains all this stuff will recall.