Yea, it seem bizarre to think The Tank has been probably the most disapounting out of this years crop of signings. That's not neccesarily because he's played bad. Its that Taylor, Washy,Fonua, Manu & Carlos have been so good. Credit has to go to Motu on that one. After the dross of signings we've had over the years it's very refreshing.

Up to his international break I felt Frank's performances were getting better and better as he settled in to the side and the team got used to his style of play. His stats are outstanding, in terms of his go forward and the quality of his defence (haven't checked lately, but prior to the Catalans home game I think he'd made 100 tackles in the previous 5 games with no misses). I think he's been a very good signing so far and, alongside Manu, Carlos and Fonua, will continue to improve as the season progresses. I suspect he is also a big influence on the team off the pitch, having the likes of Ellis, Frank and Minichiello around, as well as Taylor and Pryce, has surely had an impact on the culture and togetherness of the squad, which is the most notable change for me this season versus previous seasons. We have real leaders, a core nucleus of winners, that the whole team are feeding off. The challenge for Radford is how best to utilise both Frank and Minichiello, who is simply an outstanding player. Personally I'd start Frank and bring Mini off the bench, Mini's burst, power and lines are very difficult for tiring defences to stop, plus limiting his workload may prolong his career. But it's a great problem for Radford to have.



As to your point about the quality of our signings, completely agree. All have added significantly to the team, all work hard and all seem to be a great fit in terms of the squad dynamic. When you think that not only did our offseason net 6 excellent additions to the squad, we were also net £300k up cash wise, then that is simply outstanding business.

Like all years and all coaches we've signed good and bad, the signings under the last coach weren't that bad when you take into account the situation and the relative position we finished under a new coach despite severe injuries and not spending up to the cap.



Motu signed the likes of Tuson (destined for Wakey and a known injury risk at Wigan), Carvell to fill a supposed gap because he and Radford wouldn't trust in the youth and was absolute garbage, he also signed Stuart Howarth which was a ridiculous signing considering we already had Cunningham and LR was never likely to move away from using DH for 80 minutes. Motu Tony also signed the worst winger we've had in decades in Liam Colbon, instead of letting Lancaster get a chance (whom only got a chance through injuries and proved his worth with 8 tries in 4 games)

Also Sneyd was very very inconsistant last year, on the back of a big transfer fee it looked like a bad deal, he's turned his fortunes around on the back of a much better pack so that has worked out thank god and he is playing some outstanding rugby.

Fonua doesn't do enough for me, he's had a largely very average season and only a couple of games has he being 'good', his defence is sadly lacking at times. Pritchard considering the whack he is on isn't matching the superstar salary, that's not to say he's not being good but inconsistancy is his downfall. Minichello on balance is a far more effective and reliable player AND does a heck of a lot more minutes. For me Minichello is the pick of Motu tony's signings by a distance.

I think it's unfair to judge tony on signings made just after he joined the club. For all we know he may not even have had any part in them plus the signings mentioned were mainly players picked up who had no club anyway. Given a decent run at it his recruitment is outstanding when you look at the rest of SL, far and above anyone else in the comp.



You also have to remember that these players have come half way around the world into a completely new environment and all of our overseas signings have been injured or missing for one reason or another for a fair few games. Given a decent run in the team they'll all show their quality I have no doubt.



As for pritchard you also have to factor in what his presence does to defences and the space he then creates for others when attracting defenders. He picked up an injury early on sunday so didn;t really get a fair what at it

What we also have to take into account is that the club had players on inflated wages that didn't warrant their ability, so in terms of signing top drawer players it was never going to happen, he had to make do with what he could get while reducing the wage bill, I still believe motu has been our best signing and our club is far healthier today than in the past on and of the field, his contacts and knowledge in the game is second to none and he's clearly held in high regard.

I wasn't sure about the signing of Minichello when it was first announced. Like quite a few things over the last 12-18 months, I've been proved very wrong.

His strength, and ability to break the line, has been a big part in our upturn in form. He also looks like a real leader in the group.

Think Motu has been one of Pearsons better decisions. He seems to have good contacts, and goes about his business in a quiet professional way. Certainly gets results. How many other clubs would have taken a punt on Talanoa?. That signing has Motu Tony written all over it.

I think the signings of Colbon and Howarth were stop gap and short term, based on whatever salary cap we had left. I'm sure we wouldn't make those signings now as the club have been able to implement their planned recruitment strategy over the last year or so. I think we've recruited on culture as well as ability, and it's starting to pay off.