Kings Head Honcho Cheeky Watson (we tried to think of an apt nickname for him but he already has one) has defied SARU orders and named 5 Internationals for his former Currie Cup 1st Division side. To be fair to the Kings, there has been some media spin-doctoring around this story to rile up the nation. Sneaky Cheeky is well aware that he may have to cut 3 Internationals from his team but he really doesn’t want to. Clearly Mr Watson is trying to buy time in the hope that SARU will get tired of fighting and let him field his U.N. side.
Daniel “Spieeeast!!!” Adongo is one of 5 Internationals hoping to get an opportunity to play in Super Rugby for the Kings
Several of our readers have commented that it’s not the players fault regarding the shenanigans that have gone on in the Eastern Cape. Absolutely right, they just want to play Super Rugby and it’s sad that some of them may be downgraded to the Vodacom Cup; which is where the whole team should be. The fact remains, some great talent has been shipped in from offshore and that’s an exciting prospect for rugby lovers. So, in the highly unlikely event that Cheeky somehow sneaks a trojan horse onto the park with all 5 Foreigners, we thought we’d jump the gun and give their fantasy prospects.
Hadleigh Parkes is no stranger to losing having been with the Blues last season so he’ll fit right in. The big 100kg+ centre scored 2 tries in Super Rugby 2012 where he partnered with Nonu at centre. Parkes is fantasy Bronze at best because he’s A: in rubbish team, and B: listed as an outside back where there are far better choices elsewhere.
Nicholas Vergallo is cheap as chips and well he should be. The Argentine International has zero tries in 31 games for Los Pumas which Fantasy managers would call shite.
Daniel Adongo: It’s ironic that Adongo is not listed by UDT (probably because he’ll be cut when the SARU Sword of Damocles comes down) as he has terrific fantasy potential if he plays. Try scoring locks are hard to come by and Sharks fans will remember the former 7′s player touching down 3 times on his Vodacom Cup debut. The Kenyan is 6’6″, 113 kg and runs the 100 in under 11 seconds (on grass!). Hats off to the Kings for signing him, he’s a terrific prospect and it will be sad if he doesn’t play.
Tomas Leonárdi is a 15 time Argentinian International who’s scored 2 tries for Los Pumas including one in the inaugural Championship against Australia. The mobile loose forward is unlikely to trouble the scorers this season with Luke Watson hogging the ball-carrying duties.
Virgile Lacombe played second fiddle to William Servat at Stade Toulouse for 8 years so is no stranger to the bench. The bad news is with Bandise Maku around it’s unlikely he’ll be one of the 2 Internationals left if there’s a chop. The good news is he’ll have some game time, albeit in the Vodacom Cup.
So there they are, 5 players, choose 2. Not an easy decision, especially knowing what they cost. Fortunately this is Fantasy Rugby where we aren’t governed by politics. In that case, we choose none.
Tags: Fantasy Rugby, fantasy rugby tips, Kings, super 15, Super 15 rugby, Super Rugby, Super Rugby Preview, Super XV
Is it true the rebels were allowed more than 2 internationals and still have more than 2 in their squad? If so why the different rules for the kings?
That is true, these aren’t SANZAR rules they are SARU rules, The Australian Rugby Union isn’t so worried about development and allows up to 10 foreign players.
@Dan – absolutely true, however, the ruling regarding the limit on international players in SA teams is a SARU ruling.
I think the Kings also requested special permission to have more foreign players . They probably stil awaiting approval . But it defies the purpose of the Kings Team and their inclusion in the Super Rugby . Are the Kings not there to uplift and develop the rugby in the eastern cape, can they achieve that by fielding a team of foreigners . Why not play with youre home grown players and develop them for the province .
Because you need to build a competitive attitude in order to promote growth in the union , if we fielded a team with the local talent now , it would be hideous , this way we can put up a fight and encourage youngsters to aspire to be a king , not a queen. Theirs nothing wrong with a brand new side fielding 3 more then the quota , if there was Australia wouldn’t of allowed the Rebels in their debut season to field 10 , its a smart move and SARU has had its share of illogical thinking and rash decisions., this is just another one of those .
SARU did officially reject the Kings application and they have said they’d accept it (http://bit.ly/Ud8lzL), as we said in the article, they are just postponing their decision on who to leave out.
With out getting into more Kings bashing, I do feel for the players in this regard, they were all hoping for Super Rugby game time and only 2 will get it.
Daniel Adongo and Hadleigh Parkes would be my choices .
I agree with you Lindsay. Both of the are more versatile. Adongo can play both at Lock and Loose Forward while Parkes can play Centre or Full Back.
Well, either way, it looks like Cheeky W is intent on playing all 5 of his international players – shoot first, ask questions later!
Shaun, today was probably not the best day to use that metaphor…
Ja, lets just say I hadn’t seen the news break yet…