I wasn't giving my opinion on the 2 players. I was merely pointing out, in response to the previous poster, that the issue of the pack size was mentioned as a reason for their signings. I think we all agree that Mago hasn't worked out. Ellis I like, and I'd like to see him stay. I'm reasonably confident we'll get 2 more "middles" as well as Walters.

I would definitely take the 06/07 version of Feka over Patrick Mago.

Except you won’t be tough to beat again because you never were. You are mid table for a reason. Your recruitment is woeful and has been for a number of years

If that is a fact can you explain how the mighty Saints came unstuck at the DW and in last season’s Challenge Cup semifinal?



By the way, I agree with you about our recruitment apart from Field and French.

Never rated Feka.

Not fit and probably never was during his career. Wind and bluster for 5 minutes then the opposition could forget about him.

Mago adds nothing to the squad. Another “impact” prop. No aggression and no fitness. Again probably never been fit during his career. A big lad who probably bullied his way through schoolboy rugby.

Players like this only get game time due excessive interchanges and shortsighted coaches.

I agree - but he gave us 5 minutes more than Mago.is giving us currently.

Cooper replaces Mago.

Isa replaces Shorrocks

Havard replaces Hill.



We’ve got 3 regulars missing. Who are the other 2??

Mago’s only attribute is his offload which I suspect he’s been told to stop doing.

Feka’s only attribute was 5 minutes of huff and puff.

Both not worthy of a jersey. Both not fit enough to play professionally. You’ve got to blame coaches for accommodating them.

I dislike “impact” players. If your good enough you start and you can play 80 minutes.

KPP either starting or on the bench would be one. Bateman (going into the season at least) would be another. I think perhaps more importantly than just the numbers out is it severely affects the ability for proper rotation. Mago and Hill are playing very short minutes which is upping the workload on the other front rowers. Havard replaces Hill is a supreme example of this. Havard is a 60 minute 100+ metre per game prop. Hill isn't (at least not yet).

Hill I’d put ahead of Mago going forward. I thought he did really well on Friday and should’ve done more minutes. Some of the defensive efforts from Mago were diabolical. I’d rather rotate that last bench spot between Hill and Nsemba and stop flogging the dead horse that is Mago. He had an improved run going in to Friday but you just can’t trust him when it matters the most.

Who does KPP replace?



I’m unsure as to why Hill is doing such short stints. Fitness level? Coach protecting him? Coach not trusting him?

Why did we sign Mago? Another nrl signing whose fitness levels are almost non existent.

Not sure what you mean Phuzzy by proper rotation. 20 minutes spells or longer when we have injuries? Ellis I suspect could do longer minutes from the get go but does them now to cover Mago.



We could have refused Bateman’s transfer. Obviously having a disgruntled player in the squad is bad but sometimes you have to make a statement.

Oh, I'm not disagreeing with you re: retention and recruitment Itchy. My post actually agrees with this. It's the fact that the incoming aren't even close to replacing the unavailable ones that makes the problem more than one of pure numbers. To put it more simply, you could have 5 players out but if the 5 replacements are equally as good then the numbers out are of little consequence.



Take the Wire 11 props missing (just joking) as an example of what I mean. It's not really a loss if you have Dudson missing but Bullock replacing him. Or in our own case (the stand off issue notwithstanding) if Field is replaced by French at fullback.



Our problem in the pack is that those out have no direct (or even acceptable) replacements.



KPP would be a starter instead of Isa in your examples or would have replaced a bench player if Isa starts.