Dave K. wrote:Wilde 3 wrote:We are restricted by the contracts to current players, but we have a load of cap coming free at the end of 2019 so would expect players of a similar stature to be getting approached by us for 2020
We wouldn't have been if we didn't keep Talanoa and one of Manu or Mini, that would have given us cash and two
quota spots.
Coukd have used Griffin, Hakim or Dawson on the wing and signed two forwards.
Will fans stay patience im not sure we can afford another season like last year.
Our only chance is to keep our spine of Connor, Kelly, Sneyd, Houghton and Westerman fit
Agreed as good as Mini, Sika & Talanoa have been for us we needed to look at replacing rather than re signing them. All 3 take up quota spots and i'm sure we could have made improvements in the squad by replacing them. I can understand keeping one of Mini or Manu as replacing both at once would have been a hard task. The re signing of Washy, Mini & Manu for me seems like lazy recruitment.
All 3 are now going to have to hit the ground running from the off to warrant the extensions. Hopefully they will all have decent injury free runs too as do feel that cost us massively particularly with both Mini & Manu playing injured which just compounded things.
Do think with Sneyd, Kelly, Connor, Houghton, Taylor & Westerman fully fit with less injury time to Paea, Manu & Mini we will still be genuine contenders, however we have to be able to find a different plan that will work if we can't just play the power game.