We shouldnt be looking for a direct replacement for Macca. We should be looking on an improvement, which I believe Clarke is. I think he should be captain also

Great Article.

Whether he is a direct replacement for Macca or not doesn't put in or out with me one way or the other. I'm just delighted that such an apparent class act is joining Connacht and will prove to have been worth (I hope) blowing the budget on !!!

Starting to get that Ruby weekend feeling again!!

Great read, sums a lot up.

When does Craig Clarke actually arrive in Galway ?

Sorry

Got it Here
Well worth a read.

That link doesnt want to work

Broken link

http://stuckinthescrum.wordpress.com...-to-the-chief/
Saw this and thought it was a good read

Clarke is probably a great replacement for Farley with more pedigree. And he's on a nice bit less than Macca is on at leinster and would have been on here.

Muldowney is our like for like replacement for Macca.

Wasrednowgreen wrote: All I know is what a player we've got to be replacing Macca (who was a huge player for us).

Can't wait to see him fit & well in a Connacht jersey next season.

I ca only wish him all the very best.... :woohoo:

The thing is he's not a Macca, if anything Aly Muldowney is our closest thing to Macca.

What I believe we've got is another Bruce Farley.

He'll play every game, be consistent as hell week in week out, lead form the front by deed, make all the right calls on the pitch and say very little off it...

I've stayed quiet in this thread, as I haven't seen enough of Clarke play, and I wonder would there be as much excitement down in New Zealand if a team down there had signed Leo Cullen (probably a very unfair comparison, I dont honestly know). But oh my, the excitement about him has gotten to me.
Supporters of every other team seem to think we've got an amazing player on our hands. Lots of Leinster fans that I've spoken too are annoyed they went for McCarthy rather than Clarke.

Lets just hope he's given a bit of time to recharge after finishing his season in New Zealand.

All I know is what a player we've got to be replacing Macca (who was a huge player for us).

Can't wait to see him fit & well in a Connacht jersey next season.

I ca only wish him all the very best.... :woohoo:

sea_point wrote:

RonanL wrote:

Borders no.2 wrote: His presence in the changing room alone when he arrives will justify whatever this signing is costing the branch.

Agreed. I know it'll be pure guesswork, but what do people think he is likely to be costing? €200K a year?

Don't particularly like talking about player salaries, but I would guesstimate that he's on about €150,000 salary, which over three years would be about NZ$750,000 gross.

This would probably exclude any target driven bonuses....

I would suspect that the higher earners salaries would be boosted again by Connacht achieving certain targets, Top 6 Pro 12 finish/ Pro 12 Playoffs/ HEC Knock Out Stage Qualification etc....

Results based bonuses would be a great call. I don't see the problem with talking about their salaries - it's not like anyone knows anyway. Just something to talk about in these rugbyless times

RonanL wrote:

Borders no.2 wrote: His presence in the changing room alone when he arrives will justify whatever this signing is costing the branch.

Agreed. I know it'll be pure guesswork, but what do people think he is likely to be costing? €200K a year?

Don't particularly like talking about player salaries, but I would guesstimate that he's on about €150,000 salary, which over three years would be about NZ$750,000 gross.

This would probably exclude any target driven bonuses....

I would suspect that the higher earners salaries would be boosted again by Connacht achieving certain targets, Top 6 Pro 12 finish/ Pro 12 Playoffs/ HEC Knock Out Stage Qualification etc....

Got to be around that, but it is pure irrelevant as you say. It is all a great statement of intent that he is coming here. We are all happy about this signing, it raises the spirit and dare I say it the profile of the club. He is obviously a person who looks at the values of the club and the area, recently married, knows that the AB thing is behind him. I think that he has made the right choice to move, he will always be a Chiefs legend now. Whatever he is getting financially it would be a lot less than most French or English clubs would pay him especially after the Super 15 results.

I believe that this is the first signing that could lift us to another level.

Borders no.2 wrote: His presence in the changing room alone when he arrives will justify whatever this signing is costing the branch.

Agreed. I know it'll be pure guesswork, but what do people think he is likely to be costing? €200K a year?