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Rhys Webb
Discussion started by Huxley , 10 September, 2017 20:50
Rhys Webb
Huxley 10 September, 2017 20:50
This week Fissler is linking us with a move for Webb as his contract expires this season. He says that Spencer's contract is up, hence the move for Webb.

I think Fissler knows Ben's agent pretty well, so he probably has an inside track there.

Re: Rhys Webb
Adey 10 September, 2017 21:33
His name has been rumoured around a few clubs lately. Maybe he wants to be earning the big bucks in the Prem like his mates.

Re: Rhys Webb
Huxley 10 September, 2017 21:38
Not sure how Gatland's law will work if half his first team is playing in the Prem!

Re: Rhys Webb
Seany_Boy0511 10 September, 2017 23:28
Personally don't think that's a good idea... We would lose the likes of Spencer and Henry Taylor of we signed Webb

Re: Rhys Webb
Sara'sman 10 September, 2017 23:41
Would be a great signing in my opinion. Ben just hasn't fulfilled all that early promise in the relatively few starts he's been given and I don't see him as a first choice 9 for the European Champions. It would be sad should he go but this year will probably be Wiggy's last as first choice. Both Ben and Henry will need to decide if they want to stay and fight for the shirt. I hope they both do but neither exhibits the control to merit it yet.

Re: Rhys Webb
David@Sarries 11 September, 2017 09:41
Interesting signing — very different style to our "usual" 9 which could/would be a good thing for us.

I, for one, would welcome him.

Re: Rhys Webb
OldMarovian 11 September, 2017 10:55
Buy out Faf de Klerk from Sale for less than what Rhys Webb would cost plus have him all season / done.

Not totally serious about de Klerk but am about buying quality that's available through the season which means either a player just outside their Countries International squad or one who has just left it. recruitment of players like Figallo, Koch, Rhodes, etc has been outstanding and that's the type of player I'd like to see if we needed a new scrum-half.

What is Wiggles contract situation in terms of seasons left do we know?

Re: Rhys Webb
StevenRobertson 11 September, 2017 11:12
I believe Henry Taylor is the best prospect I have seen in, well, half a lifetime of playing, coaching, reffing and watching.

Re: Rhys Webb
Neville 12 September, 2017 08:51
I agree. He looks a fine prospect.

Re: Rhys Webb
Harbinger 12 September, 2017 09:14
A fine prospect he maybe, but we seem to have been here before and look whats happened


Quote:
saracens4life
it's been one of my (admittedly few) bugbears with selection in recent years. For me Spencer has the best skillset of all our scrum halves and when he has been pushed into high-pressure games by necessity, there's been nothing to suggest that his lack of experience would be a liability at Premiership level.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/09/2017 09:15 by Harbinger.

Re: Rhys Webb
JO'G 12 September, 2017 09:54
Personally as a third scrum-half Henry Taylor for this season is perfect. Ideally he would move up to #2 next season, but may need another season for that. Wiggy may drop to #2 for another season as NdeK did 2 seasons ago to give him that extra year

The big question is - Ben is he ready to be #1 next year or will he always be a #2

if #1 then great - swap with wiggy
if #2 then lets get a replacement for Wiggy and Webb fits the bill

Re: Rhys Webb
flavman 35 13 September, 2017 11:38
For me Henry Taylor is 100% the future for us.
He will light up an already exciting team. Ben just hasn't made that step up to first choice scrum half, he seems to have plateaued.

Re: Rhys Webb
VR1997 13 September, 2017 12:09
If Rhys Webb comes to Sarries he comes. But why do we then use this story to have a go at one of OUR players. Not all of our players are going to be world class and do we want another player who is going to be away from the club for half the season?

For the time Ben gets on the pitch he has stayed massively loyal to the club (6 years plus),
He is an outstanding goal kicker, second only to Owen and he has a brilliant eye for a try.

Re: Rhys Webb
Sara'sman 13 September, 2017 12:10
Quote:
StevenRobertson
I believe Henry Taylor is the best prospect I have seen in, well, half a lifetime of playing, coaching, reffing and watching.

High praise indeed Steven, I hope you're right! Are you saying the best prospect at 9 or even better than, say, Maro?

I recall being impressed by Henry at the u20 World Cup and delighted that we signed him. It was his speed that impressed me most - of thought, when passing and obviously his sniping runs. His kicking less so. Whenever I watched him playing for Bedford he seemed solid but not spectacular. Chatting to the regulars got mixed reviews but they were largely happier to praise another spectacularly quick 9 whose name escapes me. I've not yet managed to see him play for Storm. How is his overall game management? And can people advise on his kicking? I know a couple have posted that it has improved. How consistently does he hit the drop zone?

Re: Rhys Webb
Harbinger 13 September, 2017 14:04
Quote:
VR1997
If Rhys Webb comes to Sarries he comes. But why do we then use this story to have a go at one of OUR players. Not all of our players are going to be world class and do we want another player who is going to be away from the club for half the season?
For the time Ben gets on the pitch he has stayed massively loyal to the club (6 years plus),
He is an outstanding goal kicker, second only to Owen and he has a brilliant eye for a try.

+1

Re: Rhys Webb
Waldo 14 September, 2017 12:47
I would like to see Ben do more of the kicking when he is on .

Re: Rhys Webb
nicsue 14 September, 2017 13:22
I would like to see Ben play more. End of.

Re: Rhys Webb
StevenRobertson 14 September, 2017 14:53
I should have made it clear, Taylor the best prospect at 9 I've seen.

And in no way should that be construed as denigrating Ben who I believe is an excellent player. He would get into most premiership teams week in and week out and in some ways is unlucky that Wrigglesworth is such an integral cog in our way of playing. With any other scrum half, IMO Ben would play much more.

However Ben Spencer and Henry Taylor are completely different players and to me, Taylor, in addition, has that unique quality that one very rarely sees which is time on the ball. Maro had it and has it in abundance.

Re: Rhys Webb
TonyTaff 14 September, 2017 19:48
I would welcome Rhys Webb, he would be an immense asset in Europe and at the end of the season.

Hopefully, Ben would wish to stay, assuming Wiggy does retire/take a back seat.

Henry looks a good prospect, but I doubt he could cope with a European final in 20 months time.

Obviously, I'm a welshman, so am biased. We've had some great Welshmen - Brian Davies and Tom Shanlin.
Some@#$%&ones, Fat Quinell and Tango. And a decent plastic Taff in Tony Copsey.

Rhys would be confident that Gatland would reserve him a place in the Welsh squad under 'Gatland's Law'. Just like Liam.



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Re: Rhys Webb
AP 14 September, 2017 20:40
Ben played European rugby heroically for us six years ago and has been surprisingly underplayed since then. He needs game time. He should be kicking when Loz is at ten, I'm afraid, because too many points are being missed.

But if Henry Taylor is good enough, he's old enough and should get his chance.

Which means I don't see any need to sign Rhys Webb.

But I trust the coaching team.



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🌻🌻🌻

Re: Rhys Webb
ultrasarrie 14 September, 2017 22:18
To say ben has not fulfilled his talents is unfair. He has been extremely loyal to the club and has not received the game time he desired in return. I'm not sure we need to waste money on Webb when ben is good enough to start ( and is unlikely to be taken up by England ).

Re: Rhys Webb
Highbury Saracen 15 September, 2017 10:51
Quote:
ultrasarrie
To say ben has not fulfilled his talents is unfair. He has been extremely loyal to the club and has not received the game time he desired in return. I'm not sure we need to waste money on Webb when ben is good enough to start ( and is unlikely to be taken up by England ).

+1
With a good run in the team Ben will become more consistent
I think he is more likely to start when Faz is playing ...I think MM likes to have One experienced Half back at all times!

Re: Rhys Webb
TonyTaff 15 September, 2017 12:51
I too trust the coaches. But, I had blind faith in Buck Shelford! Fnaar fnaar



£721.05 (*) donated to the Saracens Foundation due to visits to the Sarries frontpage [www.rugbynetwork.net]

Please read and submit articles for publication.


(*) As at October 31, 2018.

Re: Rhys Webb
David@Sarries 15 September, 2017 13:02
Quote:
TonyTaff
I too trust the coaches. But, I had blind faith in Buck Shelford! Fnaar fnaar

We all did Tony; the difference now is that this set of coaches have a track record of success.

Re: Rhys Webb
Roger G 15 September, 2017 13:06
I think trusting the coaches is a good strategy. I think back to the number of times we've released players who were very popular and highly rated by us monocular fans, only for them to be be OK but unspectacular players elsewhere. For example Andy Saull, Adam Powell, Noah Cato, Nick Auterac, Ben Ransom, and even Richard Haughton. The only exception, IMHO, was Dave Seymour, who played a central part in holding Sale together for a while

Re: Rhys Webb
JO'G 15 September, 2017 13:32
Seymour was always a difficult call, as Saull seemed just as good, but was 3/4 years younger. Unfortunately, Seymour had injuries which held him back

Six months on it looked a bad call and 2 years later a very bad one. Seymour I felt was similar to Jackson Wray, under-rated but effective

Re: Rhys Webb
Harbinger 15 September, 2017 13:43
James Short - Exeter - 20 tries in 2 seasons?

Was surplus to requirements at the time but gone on to do well

Re: Rhys Webb
nicsue 15 September, 2017 13:44
It seems we are to get our wish to see a bit more of Ben. Named to start in Philly. Go Ben, have a good one. Not sure we will see him kick though!

Re: Rhys Webb
JO'G 15 September, 2017 13:48
Quote:
Harbinger
James Short - Exeter - 20 tries in 2 seasons?
Was surplus to requirements at the time but gone on to do well

Especially when Ellery was the man he made way for

Re: Rhys Webb
Roger G 15 September, 2017 14:16
Quote:
Harbinger
James Short - Exeter - 20 tries in 2 seasons?
Was surplus to requirements at the time but gone on to do well

Good point, well made. Maybe another exception. I still think the coaches' judgement is right more often than wrong.

Re: Rhys Webb
Essex-Sarrie 15 September, 2017 14:24
I think Ben Spencer adds huge value in his pace and kicking ability, my reservation is around his decision making. Sometimes he goes for a snipe or quick ball when he needs to be cool and delay those extra seconds for us to regroup and set. But these are skills that you learn and come with time/experience, hope he stays and learns those qualities with us.

Taylor looks a real player as well btw. Bit greedy us having all these talented players...

Re: Rhys Webb
AlanE 17 September, 2017 12:25
Quote:
JO'G
Quote:
Harbinger
James Short - Exeter - 20 tries in 2 seasons?
Was surplus to requirements at the time but gone on to do well

Especially when Ellery was the man he made way for

Technically correct in that he was the one who came in after he left; but it would seem wrong to infer that he was allowed to go so we could bring in ME.

He was quite high profile - our scorer in the 2011 final, and being talked of (at least on here ;-) ) as a potential England candidate. However, he left, it seemed at the time, when he couldn't get in the starting team because of Ash and Stretts.



I was 17 miles from Graybridge before I was caught by the school leopard

Re: Rhys Webb
4everhopePhil 04 October, 2017 22:02
It seems Rhys Webb has opted to join Ashy in Toulon:


bbc

Re: Rhys Webb
Innings 05 October, 2017 12:06
The easy (idle?) option for any agent or journalist is to say that Sarries are interested in any player who is coming out of contract. It's easy, because it's true. Every professional club coaching team is interested in who's available, where they might move, and whether they might be right for their own club. However, interest is not the same as wanting to sign every player who comes along.



Innings

Points win matches: tries win hearts and minds.

Re: Rhys Webb
ninjafez 05 October, 2017 12:44
as you were, ben and henry will only get better, I see no Ryhs = more money getting Nate Nate to stay



Ninjafez - supporting Sarries and cleaning their signs since 2006!


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