I agree that we need a half back, but we don't have one yet. 

You're probably already drinking it given you had Halton on the bench.

To be consistently in the top 4 we need to improve the starting 13 and the bench, as soon as we have any injuries our bench is weak.

I’m still not sure Hanley can defend he leaks breaks with poor defensive reads and teams target him, Hodgson and Brand started the season on the wings but we were all over the shop when attacking kicks came in.

Macintosh has no pace for some reason but can pass, takes middle carries and is a big body, he could transition into a back row/loose forward like Currie/Cudjoe and Watkins.


With our style of play we desperately need a halfback, a centre and a ball playing loose forward minimum.


Halton and O’Neill have to be the back rows until we get another for competition with Trout starting or off the bench as a prop as he adds a lot of energy and aggression in the tackle.



Top teams have an abundance of props and we should have been looking at the likes of Byrne and Hill at Wigan who have now gone elsewhere. Can’t understand the signing of Brad Martin if he’s never getting a game he’s played both back row and prop and games are won down the middle.


Tuitevake needs minutes as does Pene but I dont think we can carry them both as quotas, they’re a waste of a space and cap, out of the 2 Tuitevake looks the most lively and Pene has had chances and IMO needs to go.


For some reason this year our defence is weak, when we look good with ball in hand and score points we switch off as soon as subs are made and our defence turns to mush, silly penalties follow and we concede a lot of points in a short space everytime, we can never kill a team off properly and for that reason I think we will slip out of the top 6.


Hopefully a replacement is brought in for Chester that isn’t Dereks mate Jukesy as I believe the buffer that was once between Derek and Lam has now gone and frictions may be happening.


If we want to kick on as a serious top team then we need to act accordingly.

I agree that Brad Martin is an odd signing, he's older than Tuitivake, and was struggling to get into Cas' pack last year. He must be injured now, as he's not featuring for Sheffield. We'll need to see the likes of Brown and Rothwell step up next year. I don't think Brogan has deserved to be dropped, particularly when you look at some of the benches we've had recently. The semi final team in particular.


Can't be too surprised at this year being a transitional one, we've brought 6 players across from Oz, and we've seen from likes of Dufty, Marster and Lachlan Miller that it can be a wait until year 2 to see the best of an overseas player. But the boycott of Sam Ayoub players will continue to prove a hindrance for us, especially if Lam Jnr lines up for another SL club next year.


I think we'll struggle to get a new Head of Rugby in at the moment. There won't be many head coaches with the level of power and credit in the bank as Adrian Lam. 


If the additional quota spot for next year is confirmed, wouldn't be surprised if Tuitivake is loaned out (can't loan Pene out if he's injured, but will be surprised if he's here next year) and a half back brought in this year. 

If I'm being honest in the off season, our second row is an area that needs major surgery imo, yes Halton and O'Neil wont let you down but if we compare to other clubs strike options in the second row they just don't complete imo.


Hull Kr - Rhys Martin, Hadley, Tangano, Bachelor, Whitbread - all better than what weve got.
Wigan - Nsemba, Farrell and walters 
St Helens - Sireon, Whitley, Bachelor etc 


 Do i need to continue ? 

I think you're underrating our players if you think our second rows can't compete with Saints. 

If we're looking purely at strike and try scoring;


Halton - 3 tries in 6 appearances
O'Neill - 5 in 11




Sironen - 1 try in 9
Whitley - 3 in 12
Batchelor - 2 in 7


Stats for metres gained, tackle busts, tackles will also be favourable for Leigh's.


We do need stronger depth there though, Hughes is prone to a brain explosion and Trout should be prop.