Absolutely, every signing is a gamble - especially from the NRL.
But if every signing was a Goudemand rather than a Tetevano, it would show a distinct lack of ambition.

Said it before, Tetevano was exactly what we wanted on paper. Just didn't work out.
For all we know, his heart issues may have been holding him back for a while.
Goudemand may well be a very useful back up forward, but he's not the impact prop we need.

Tetevano was never an impact prop. He was a very reliable rotation prop - the NRL equivalent of Ian Kirke. Just because he was a Kiwi international doesn't change how he played. Goudemand is a like-for-like replacement for who Tetevano was in reality, not what anyone might have wanted him to be.

I don't disagree that we look light up front though, or that a big yardage forward would fill a gap. Aside from Lisone none of our props make enough yards, especially the bigger lads.

My point is that we shouldn't be replacing what Tetevano was.
We should be replacing what we expected him to be.

Couple of injuries up front (which is very possible) and we are up against it.

Id say every team maybe bar Wigan would be up against it with two injuries to their starting front rowers.

I don't disagree we look a bit light, although I wonder if Ruan could play up the middle. He's certainly big enough.

Heres hoping.

Led the way season before but I dont think the injury he picked up late in the season, then putting off surgery to play for England did him any favours and he looked a shadow of the player we know he can be last season.

Is signing a big metre making prop the way to go? Definite benefits this year but what about next when any tackle above the scrotum (ok, I exaggerate) will draw a penalty? These big men might be a total liability defensively if/when the game changes.

ive heard that tackling will be restricted to the scrotum only from 2025. Tackle bags will be replaced with ball bags in training.

Would Sam Kasiano be worth a punt? He’s just been released by Warrington. Might do a job for a season

If you want to have a player who will be pinged for high tackles a-lot and maybe banned a-lot, and is blowing hard after 10 minutes then yeah go for it.