3 more years!!!!

First topic message reminder :

Away back into yer hole Toulon!

St. Ruan   

It is interesting how the age of players kids could have an impact on how well they settle.

The contrast between the Mullers/Pienaars and how difficult/impossible John Afoa's wife/family found it here could simply be down to the age of their kids.

Johann Muller's kids are very young and I think would not have been at school anywhere before coming here whereas I think (correct me if I am wrong) BJA had slightly older kids already before coming here.

I might have that wrong but no-one, no matter what their job, can be happy unless their family are happy.

Ah yes the Dutch Reformed Church...its all about not having fun..lucky they went to Ulster then...not to mind what they stood for in good old RSA

Never knew John Afoa was not happy there. If this was public information, the community could have assisted? Or did it come out afterwards?

In reality he was probably upset he was not playing for Saints......

Afoa was grand. The wife couldn't settle and is back in NZ.

It's probably easier if you move across the world without any family etc. Payne by report is loving it.

doctor_grey wrote:Never knew John Afoa was not happy there.  If this was public information, the community could have assisted?  Or did it come out afterwards?

In reality he was probably upset he was not playing for Saints......

I think John Afoa was happy enough, but that Mrs Afoa never really settled. Mrs Afoa then went back to NZ to have another child, and it was decided that NZ was the place to raise their children. I fully respect that choice. Not everyone who relocates from their home country can easily integrate into another culture.

I fully respect it too Munchkin. I was just postulating if the age of transplanted kids had a bearing.

Seems like Toulon had already turned their attention to Kockott over Pienaar.  Already settled in France, younger, the kicker replacement they need and not lost to international duty.

http://www.espn.co.uk/france-top-14-2013-14/rugby/story/201557.html

gelodge wrote:Seems like Toulon had already turned their attention to Kockott over Pienaar.  Already settled in France, younger, the kicker replacement they need and not lost to international duty.

http://www.espn.co.uk/france-top-14-2013-14/rugby/story/201557.html

Given the interview with Ruan it is highly likely they turned their attention when he turned them down. He clearly had other offers

MrsP wrote:I fully respect it too Munchkin. I was just postulating if the age of transplanted kids had a bearing.

I think it does, MrsP. The older the child then the stronger the bonds with friends, family, and surroundings, they have to leave behind. The likes of Skype is a help, but never the same. I think kids adapt easier than adults in the right environment though.

I have doubts that Toulon are after half the players they get namechecked in rumours with. Much of the time it seems to be agents planting stories around negotiation time to scare better results; like parents telling their misbehaving children tales about the bogeyman.

Don Alfonso wrote:Three years is mental, though. Until the summer of 2017?

He'll be 32!

I suppose he could always head on to Leinster then.

33 actually. Getting on.... Even for Leinster.

Another aspect could de the rugby? He will be not playing too many games a year so could prolong his career? A French side might work him into the ground in a year or two. Shows some people value more than just the weight of the pay packet.

Its a great resigning tho - and he has looked like a man enjoying his rugby

MrsP wrote:He's not the first Bilt!

We'd have kept Pedrie too if we could have.

...and he won't be the last!....

Ulster seem to have much better look with their Saffer signings than the other provinces. We in Leinster had the pleasure of CJ Van Der Linde and his big toe for a year and Jean de Villiers - currently playing out of his skin for SA and undoubtedly world-class - didn't exactly set the world alight during his year with Munster

Not to mention Sykes brenno.......

Just saw the interview with Pienaar on the BBC website.

His honesty about how tough a decision it was, his dedication to Ulster, his talk of his family and the big grin plastered all over his bake (not something we traditionally associate with Ruan) is an absolute delight to see.

brennomac wrote:Ulster seem to have much better look with their Saffer signings than the other provinces.  We in Leinster had the pleasure of CJ Van Der Linde and his big toe for a year and Jean de Villiers - currently playing out of his skin for SA and undoubtedly world-class - didn't exactly set the world alight during his year with Munster

Ollie le Roux.