We pick on players that take on the mantle when around them the pack is without heavy depth. Exactly what happened with Hughes in 2017. He was always better than that. We played Nikau like a front rower with hands but I'd love to see him in this team in place of Sita. Nikau would be devestating.

Good call. He had a big rep...and he delivered.

I know that it's supposed to be a positive thread, but, can't agree with your excuse for Hughes 2017, he was just poor. He didn't suffer trying to carry the pack, he suffered because he ran terrible lines ball in hand and our attack was easy to read as came to a full stop down a dead end that side.

Maybe its no coincidence that his form improved under a different coach and or centre/wing combination?

Well that's what is good about a forum. Sharing idea and thoughts. Some mind changing, many not.

You suggest a new coach and outside partnership. I can't dispute that and valid.
I put it down to the decision not to deepen the quality and size on the other side of Hughes...under the previous coach of which Hughes had arguably one of his better seasons.

Or perhaps it's a combination of both, in which case we're both right.

Tony Smith came with a big rep and boy did he deliver in the first 4 years. Can't take that away from him.