Yep. Keep 'em coming. I'd forgotten Fielden was still even playing in SL. Is he still at Wigan?

I still think we could do with a strike second rower similar to Ali. While Huaraki improved throughout the season he still doesn't have the ability to change the game like Ali and link in with the centres in the back line. I think we can afford one luxury player looking at the squad, as it is made up of grafters especially in the forwards.

Ali too of course.

Would agree with that.



Also think we need a quality front-line hooker. We wouldn't have won the GF without one, we wouldn't have beaten Wire without one, and we might not even have made the playoffs without one. Having Buderus come to form masked a lot of inadequacies in our set-up. In terms of freeing up squad space, we have no idea how good Hood is or isn't at senior level, and sending him on loan to a Broncos/HKR level side would do him or us no harm at all.

If you send Hood out on loan to another SL side, you're an injury to McShane away from Burrow playing the full 80 at hooker.



Would make more sense to dual reg him with a Championship side so he can be recalled if needed.



Lots of inconsequential changes to squad numbers - should keep the tills in the shop ringing as fans update their shirts for 2012.

I was suggesting signing another hooker and sending Hood on loan, not leaving us short. With the previous interest in L'Estrange and the (unfulfilled) requirement that Newcastle source us a replacement for Buderus, this may well have been the original plan, but nobody of sufficient quality has been found available.

Could you not create the same effect with a clause in his loan agreement?



I agree that we need to make sure we've still got him available if needed, but I'd rather have him out somewhere playing senior rugby while he waits for his chance than playing in the youth sides. I certainly think he'd be better prepared when we need him that way.

The biggest concern for me would be the hooking position - I know some say I have overblown Buderus' influence but McShane is no Buderus especially defensively. Hood has some serious skills that would be better off being used by the Rhinos rather than Featherstone.

hopefully weller will be that player really hope now he is settled in the club he can kick on and be a line breaker.

I don't think its overestimating Buderus to say that McShane has some big boots to fill. Now is the time to show faith in him. hes been around the squad 3 years now, and the club must have had faith in him to keep him around.