The new club have already sent out a low key questionaire to registered members apparently. Included a question about Black Knights being a name option.
I reckon they will have already signed some players but are keeping it quiet. Corica & McFlynn will be busy each day looking to build that squad. But when do they announce any signings? Do they want it low key, and any overseas based player revealed to the media via a video conference, or do want them in person at Mt Smart holding aloof a scarf in front of the cameras? Many of their prospective signings (local or visa) will be overseas until mid-late May in season in Europe or wherever.
Realistically the only players off contract and/or in NZ now, they could have reveal in person for maximum media exposure are the likes of Jesse Randall, Luis Toomey, Deklan Wynne or whoever. Maybe they want their first announced signing to be more high profile than that. Maybe they will do a big launch in mid/late May will about a dozen signings all present and announced at the same time. And before that you want your team name, shirt & obligatory scarf all sorted.
Maybe Rojas & Smith are already signed on for 24/25 and their short stints at Roar & Bulls are just to keep match fit. But it would have been a bit lame to announce then as the first signings, and then in the same breadth see then away on loan deals across the ditch.
Auckland seem a long way ahead of Canberra. Also lets not forget the Nix Phoenix were awarded a license on 19th March 2007 and just over 5 months later on 26th August 2007, played their first game. Auckland have double that time to get organised. I reckon with Foley's dosh, and use of marquees they will assemble a reasonable first squad.
I reckon they will have already signed some players but are keeping it quiet. Corica & McFlynn will be busy each day looking to build that squad. But when do they announce any signings? Do they want it low key, and any overseas based player revealed to the media via a video conference, or do want them in person at Mt Smart holding aloof a scarf in front of the cameras? Many of their prospective signings (local or visa) will be overseas until mid-late May in season in Europe or wherever.
Realistically the only players off contract and/or in NZ now, they could have reveal in person for maximum media exposure are the likes of Jesse Randall, Luis Toomey, Deklan Wynne or whoever. Maybe they want their first announced signing to be more high profile than that. Maybe they will do a big launch in mid/late May will about a dozen signings all present and announced at the same time. And before that you want your team name, shirt & obligatory scarf all sorted.
Maybe Rojas & Smith are already signed on for 24/25 and their short stints at Roar & Bulls are just to keep match fit. But it would have been a bit lame to announce then as the first signings, and then in the same breadth see then away on loan deals across the ditch.
Auckland seem a long way ahead of Canberra. Also lets not forget the Nix Phoenix were awarded a license on 19th March 2007 and just over 5 months later on 26th August 2007, played their first game. Auckland have double that time to get organised. I reckon with Foley's dosh, and use of marquees they will assemble a reasonable first squad.
They may have signed some players, but they've also missed out on a few as well because they faffed around. Simply put, players couldn't wait any longer and moved on, only to be subsequently offered deals after signing elsewhere...
No I'm not referring to Rojas or Tommy Smith here either.