General VODAFONE WARRIORS APPROVE GUTTENBEIL'S REQUEST TO TALK TO NR

[Skinny_Ravs82]

from www.warriors.co.nz

Long-serving Vodafone Warriors back rower Awen Guttenbeil has been given permission to approach other National Rugby League clubs as he considers his next contract.
Guttenbeil (30), who is off contract at the end of the 2006 season, asked Vodafone Warriors management this week whether he could talk to Australian clubs after being granted an earlier request to sound out English Super League clubs.
Vodafone Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said discussions had been on-going with Guttenbeil about his future.
“As a player who has done so much for the Vodafone Warriors, Awen deserves the chance to be able to consider all options before making a decision,†he said.
“We have no issues with him talking to clubs as he resolves what he wants to do.â€Â
Guttenbeil made his 157th first-grade appearance for the club in Saturday night’s 34-12 victory over 2005 premiers Wests Tigers. After making his debut in 1996, he has been granted a testimonial in this, his 11th, season.
“This club’s important to me and it has done a lot for me,†said Guttenbeil.
“My contract ends this year but neither the club nor I have decided what to do yet.
“I want to know what all of my options are first so I can make an informed decision.
“I appreciate the club alowing me to talk to clubs in England and Australia.â€Â

 

[MiXmasterreece_old]

Welll thats interesting. Not like the old warriors management to make this sort of thing public.

This is terrific. Thanks Wayne

 

[MiXmasterreece_old]

One thing that does grate me (not in this instance though obviously) is when we decide we dont want a player so we bar him from talking to other NRL clubs.

Really gets me because then they are lost to the ESL and we dont seem them again.

I have a STRONG feeling our good friend Awen is off to Souths

 

[Becs_old]

I think the Titans are looking for some forwards.

Its great management is letting us know whats happening.

Awen is doing the right thing looking at options. He's got a family to support now.

 

[MiXmasterreece_old]

Yeah Id like to see him go to the Titans but id also like to see them buy a couple of Kiwi boys with a longer future ahead of them.

 

[danco_old]

we will miss him if he goes,a great warrior.

 

[Skinny_Ravs82]

It's nice to know we're being kept in the loop when it comes to some of these decisions. Usually that's all hush, hush ya know

 

[Iafeta_old]

I think the club is underestimating Awen's value to the team.

This year, as he was for the second half of last year, Awen has been terrific bending back the line and doing the hard yards and being strong in defence. Add to that an offload game, and some good footwork, and he's been outstanding for us.

Particularly of benefit to the club could have been taking advantage of the 10 year scheme, where he is the only player able to make use of the $100,000 salary cap exemption. Therefore, a $150,000 contract would only cost the club $50,000 under the terms of the salary cap.

If he goes, he'll be sorely missed. He does the hard yards better than most, he's almost like the glue that holds the pack together integrating front row and backrow ethics. He's been a great servant of this club.

 

[Jesbass_old]

I think the club is underestimating Awen's value to the team.

This year, as he was for the second half of last year, Awen has been terrific bending back the line and doing the hard yards and being strong in defence. Add to that an offload game, and some good footwork, and he's been outstanding for us.

Particularly of benefit to the club could have been taking advantage of the 10 year scheme, where he is the only player able to make use of the $100,000 salary cap exemption. Therefore, a $150,000 contract would only cost the club $50,000 under the terms of the salary cap.

If he goes, he'll be sorely missed. He does the hard yards better than most, he's almost like the glue that holds the pack together integrating front row and backrow ethics. He's been a great servant of this club.

 

[ozbash_old]

bon voyage gutts.

viva le france.

 

[MarkW_old]

I agree, I think Awen has been playing fairly well so far this year. He's been a good servant to the Warriors.

This news does seem to highlight concerns the club has with it's budget for 2007. After the huge fine from this season and releasing Villa already with Toopi, Guts and possibly Webb leaving at the end of the year (not to mention the recuded cap for the following season) - the club appears to be shaving as much off spending as possible and trying the old value for money approach as far as signings go. Added to the current management's budget woes is the fact that most of it's eggs have been placed in two proverbial baskets... namely the contracts of Wiki and Price thanks primarily to Mick and co.
Expect a fairly youthful side to be playing next year is all I can say.

 

[Wiki_old]

Expect a fairly youthful side to be playing next year is all I can say.

Yeah but I expect us to sign up everyone except Awen. Toopi and Villa have already left.

If you take the team on Saturday and minus Awen, you have what our team could possibly look like last year.

Now, I'm not really too concerned of the youth in our side if we are playing like a unit like that.

I would like to see Awen stick around for another year but if this means we get to sign Webby then so be it. Awen's leadership is critical to the team but it also does mean that Rapira or Fai can start making the step up.

 

[fiamacho_old]

Good to see the Club is being very open minded about this.

 

[Skinner_old]

I think the club is underestimating Awen's value to the team.

This year, as he was for the second half of last year, Awen has been terrific bending back the line and doing the hard yards and being strong in defence. Add to that an offload game, and some good footwork, and he's been outstanding for us.

Particularly of benefit to the club could have been taking advantage of the 10 year scheme, where he is the only player able to make use of the $100,000 salary cap exemption. Therefore, a $150,000 contract would only cost the club $50,000 under the terms of the salary cap.

If he goes, he'll be sorely missed. He does the hard yards better than most, he's almost like the glue that holds the pack together integrating
front row and backrow ethics. He's been a great servant of this club.

I know what you mean Iafeta, but in simple terms, the use by date,
in NRL has been reached. He has been a "back bone" Warrior for sure
and has provided some incredibly memorable moments over the years.

I would hate to see him do a Jerry and stay one season too long.

I just hope that he, and his lovely lady, head off to be with their
very good friends, the Jones whanau, in France.

Cheers

 

[sebastian_old]

webb is no.1 priority, then evarn, then gutts.
I think evarn is the player being underestimated.

 

[patty_old]

yeah he is a bit past his use by date...i have felt this year we have had to many back rowers and if guttenbiel left he could free up our line up so the young guns can get in. I would love to see fai get into the team, and mannering although playing well in centres is not a centre at all. its like koopu, he originally started in the centres but his speed and agility works better in the back row. Gutts is playing well this year (better than i thought he would anyway) but this warriors side is looking towards the future and gutts doesnt have to much of a future...

 

[Iafeta_old]

I think the club is underestimating Awen's value to the team.

This year, as he was for the second half of last year, Awen has been terrific bending back the line and doing the hard yards and being strong in defence. Add to that an offload game, and some good footwork, and he's been outstanding for us.

Particularly of benefit to the club could have been taking advantage of the 10 year scheme, where he is the only player able to make use of the $100,000 salary cap exemption. Therefore, a $150,000 contract would only cost the club $50,000 under the terms of the salary cap.

If he goes, he'll be sorely missed. He does the hard yards better than most, he's almost like the glue that holds the pack together integrating
front row and backrow ethics. He's been a great servant of this club.

I know what you mean Iafeta, but in simple terms, the use by date,
in NRL has been reached. He has been a "back bone" Warrior for sure
and has provided some incredibly memorable moments over the years.

I would hate to see him do a Jerry and stay one season too long.

I just hope that he, and his lovely lady, head off to be with their
very good friends, the Jones whanau, in France.

Cheers

Yeah perhaps, but I look at his form on the paddock and think he's going very well - certainly highly underrated. Certainly while there have been some who've gone too far, the likes of Fittler, and even Wiki and Price have shown me that if you have the right determination you can make it. Particularly when Awen's probably missed near enough to 100 first grade games through injury, it's possibly prolonged his career a bit.

Sebastien, you are right, regardless of what happens Webb and Tuimavave have to be considered priorities. The take I have on Guttenbeil is also to take advantage of the $100K loyalty salary cap exemption scheme.

 

[AliN_old]

I for one, hope he stays.
As Iafeta says, his performances of late have been good.
Add to that the exemption cap and his experience and know how for the young guys coming thru.

 

[da mad maori]

To be honest, I think its good what the club has done. Awen has got what,??, probably ONE GOOD season left. So let him sound out other clubs, and see what sort of dollars he can get. There is a possiblity he could finish his career off here, but on a 'downgrade' of his contract. Whatever he finds in the way of the future I'll shake his hand and say.."thanks".
The year after next concerns me. Pricey..Goooone, and Awen too. That experience wont be replaced for a long time. Sione aint got it, maybe Louie is the next 'kaumatua' alongside Ruben.

 

[AmeriKiwi_old]

Guttenbeil contributes a lot to the Warriors in his own quiet way, and he does it consistently, week after week. As Iafeta says, he`s probably the most underrated player on the team and he provides a lot of muscle to our offensive line, as well. The Warriors will do okay with or without him, but probably better with him on the team. Either way, I hope he considers all his options well and does what is best for him in this later stage of his career.