Its official, the Exodus has started.
Following on from my article on article on Friday “Kings player exodus?” I can confirm that the first confirmed move is ex Sharks and Springbok centre Waylon Murray.
Murray’s agent, James Adams took to Twitter to Sunday to announce the signing:
“I can officially confirm that @waylonmurray will be joining @BlueBullsRugby for #2013CurrieCup & has signed till 31 Oct 2015 @InTouchSports,”
Murray, who made his sharks debut for in 2006 season before moving on to the Lions in 2010. At the end of 2012 when his Lions contract expired and he joined the EP franchise and was part of the Kings 2013 Super Rugby campaign.
As previously reported, the Bulls are expected to also announce signings of Bandise Maku, David Bullbring (lock) and flanker Jacques “Vleis” Engelbrecht.
Tweet
Ok so since everyone is picking up Kings players, anyone knows what Sykes plans are now?
Whoever saw this coming..
Shock horror!
To any Bulls supporter out there – Why would you sign a walking sick note if you own every single young talented centre in South Africa rugby?
@R Hayward (Comment 1) : retirement?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 2) : The Bulls whole retention/recruitment policy is a mystery to me.
Guy’s…
They only have center and lock scouts there…
Well done to Waylon, being picked up by a major union after being in the doldrums for quiete a while takes some doing. I hope he has success with them.
@R Hayward (Comment 1) : @The Hobbit (Comment 3) : IU heard that the Stormers were interssted in him.
Unfortunately, there was always going to be a player exodis from the kings, either permanantly or on a loan deal of sorts, and this is where the kings inclusion in Super rugby 2013 was inherently flawed. Who wants to play first division Currie Cup? Certainly nobody who has been, for the first half of the year, playing super rugby. The kings path into super rugby should always have been via the premier division of the currie cup. It’s like any football team in Europe playing in their own second dision, but being given a free ride to play champions league.
Where to with Dimitri? I guess the Bulls will sign him as well. Would be better for him if he moved back to WP in my opinion. If Johan Goosen`s injuries don`t subside, then a move to Bloem would also be a good fit.
@Pokkel (Comment 4) : It may be a mystery to you, but three titles and two play-off positions in the last seven competitions would suggest something is working for them? 😀
@Greg (Comment 10) : I’m talking about now, this year. Previously they tried to retain their big name players now they seem quite happy to leak players.
but your comment is duly noted. 😉
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 2) : That is my big question also? REALLY do not understand that. Any other position I can understand, but not Centre.
@Blue Centurion (Comment 12) :
Yeah, the ‘to be unveiled’ Maku, Bullbring and Engelbrecht signings can be motivated, but centre? Ek weet nie so mooi nie!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 13) : even lock is a toughie to justify.
@robdylan (Comment 14) :
Yup..
I don’t get it..
@robdylan (Comment 14) : Injuries to a couple of them and with Steenkamp leaving on the back of Kruger, might see someone at the top flinch a bit and get a bit nervous.
Flyhalf is more of a concern, I feel.
@Blue Centurion (Comment 16) :
Are they going to back Pollard or Jantjies?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 17) :
I wonder, Pollard didn’t impress at the junior WC.
@Greg (Comment 10) : See, the snoiL might as well merge with the bulls, you guys are so much alike it’s scary. 😈
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 17) : I think Pollard is still injured for a while to come, so Jantjies will get the nod.
@Blue Centurion (Comment 20) :
Big step up for the youngster, will be interested to see his rise..
Congrats Waylon and good luck!!!! Hope he can stay injury free!!!!!
Bulls have lost chilliboy and Zane amongst others, hence the need to maku and Murray
@FireTheLooser (Comment 19) : How so?
@Pokkel (Comment 18) : The only one that really shone at the JWC was Cheslin Kolbe. Now that man has the x factor
@The Hobbit (Comment 25) : I’m a bit of a Senatla fan too
@robdylan (Comment 26) : yep, wouldn’t say no to him on the books.
@robdylan (Comment 26) : I also like Luther Obi. He has pace and power
@jovner (Comment 28) : there’s no shortage of exciting, raw talent available at wing. Lots of young guys who need to be nurtured into senior rugby and assisted with bulking up too.
Just makes me so cross that we still pick a Bok squad that can’t seem to think any further than Habana and Basson.
Rob could not agree more and that’s why I say SA Rugby in free fall,and so we again aim to win one or two games at best and think we a mighty rugby nation instead of winning most games and being the best,the mindset is lacking here so badly
@benji (Comment 30) : IMO, it’s because Meyer is so scared to lose he doesn’t really try hard to win.
Anyone know where Sergeal P is going? Or is he staying?
@lostfish (Comment 32) : I believe he signed a 2 year contract shortly after the SR started this season.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 33) : Yep, staying with Kings.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 33) : @Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 34) : That is a pity. I was looking forward to seeing more of him but unlikely if he isn’t playing top tier Currie Cup.
@robdylan (Comment 31) : Scared to lose or just limited? Methinks the latter. His robotic over coached approach will be the ruin of SA rugby. All of the young talented backs being recruited to the Bulls will be converted to the “kick and hope” gospel according to HM and have any creative thought or inclination drilled out of them.
As we saw again in the SR semi in Pretoria – when it doesn’t work there is no plan B just more plugging away at the same old ineffective playbook with predictable results.
Would everyone here be in favour of us re-signing Steven Sykes? Think he’d complement PSdT – the grafter No. 4 to du Toit’s exciting No.5? Or is Wentzel, Bresler, PSdT and Marais a sufficient Lock stock for Super Rugby?
@MerckZ (Comment 37) : I’m also mulling over this one… and haven’t found an answer yet
@robdylan (Comment 38) : My feeling on this is that we should back our youngsters. They are good enough and the more experience they can get the better. Sykes is good but is he better than what we have?