A fit and focused Todd Carney could make the Catalans a real force. An unfocused could be a problem. www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl ... 7055817106

A fit and focused Todd Carney could make the Catalans a real force. An unfocused could be a problem. www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl ... 7055817106

Todd Carney away from his so called 'mates' could be an awesome signing - though I think his head is in the wrong place completely still.

Is this is his third or his 4th last chance? I've lost count!

He would be an outstanding signing for them and would be one of if not the best player in SL. Being out of the limelight in France where Football and Union players get all the headlines would probably benefit him immensely.

The South of France could go either way. A different lifestyle than the glitz and glamour of the NRL, a different sets of mates, they could be good, but haven't the imports been accused by the chairman of treating life there like a holiday and not putting in the graft?

According to the Sky Sports app Catalan have confirmed they are in talks with Carney but a deal is not done yet.

Given the fact that Sam Williams is going back to the NRL, William Barthau has signed for London, and Scott Dureau is looking for a contract with Sydney Roosters, they all must know that Toddy is coming to Catalans.



Thomas Bosc has just re-signed with Catalans. So it looks like Bosc will be at scrum half and Carney at five eighth, which is his best position.



The Catalans backline will then be equal to the best in Super League"



[iMorgan Escare



Michael Oldfield, Willie Tonga, Ben Pomeroy,/ Vincent Duport, Darryl Millard,



Todd Carney

Thomas Bosc[/i





However I see two problems that could derail Catalans chances of winning silverware:



1. No capable cover for injury to Bosc and Carney. They need Scott Dureau but he will not want to come back to play second fiddle.



2. Depletion of the strong Catalans pack, with Remi Casty already at Sydney Roosters, and .Michael Simon and Lopini Paea both signed for Wakefield in 2015, and Kevin Larroyer at Hull KR.. That gives no injury cover because it leaves the Catalans first choice pack as containing:



[iJason Baitieri

Gregory Mounis, Elliot Oldfield, Zeb Taia, Benjamin Garcia

Olivier Elima, Ian Henderson, Eloi Pelissier, Julian Bousquet, Jeff Lima, Louis Anderson.[/i



The team is bereft of top quality specialist props. Unless they have some signings yet to be announced, I don't know how their pack, especially their front row, will compete next year. Losing those two quality props to Wakefield could come back to bite them.



There is no point in signing Todd Carney if your forwards cannot dominate the opposing packs. Just recall the brilliant Jamie Soward at London last season. He did wonderful things, but without a decent pack in front of him he had no chance to put the club into the playoffs.

Who is to say Carney is treating it as a holiday? By all accounts there are not many places to 'rebuild' a career in professional rugby league away from (much) media spotlight, so Perpignan is the logical choice. It worked wonders for Greg Bird, and his reputation was in true tatters

Thought he was going to the mini kc?

Think it would be a big signing for Catalans. Greg Bird didn't do bad over here. Taken away from media spotlight will do him good.

Last time he got away from the spotlight/groupies/etc (playing club footy up in Cairns) people said how much more mature he acted. Hopefully this'll be similar and the SL will have a new star.

If you put Todd Carney in the same team as William Tonga and Morgan Escare you have a very powerful attacking machine that will tear to shreds the defences of the likes of Wigan, St. Helens, Warrington, Huddersfield, Castleford and Leeds.