Best post for a long time. For Comedy value

And we don't know who is available / interested in being a squad player. The club will have a good idea of what is available at what price and made the best call. Too many people hold the club accountable for too much. It's easy to criticise when you only see part of the picture

Can’t agree more well said!

Excellent, well reasonded summary





Far too sensible an outlook for this thread.

We don't have enough experience in the outside backs.

So with us not wasting cap or quota space on an utility back has anyone got a clue which Aussie we might be in for? when PNG passport control pull their finger out!!



I don't know too much about the NRL so i've no idea who would be much kop or more to the point available. FWIW I'd like a Shannon Boyd style big horrible thing in lieu of a 13 and we could go with Cuthbo this season and use his quota spot to bring in a 13 next.

It's not for PNG passport Control to get their finger out as you put it.



The fact is the applicant provides the grounds to prove heritage and if successful it's processed through the Govt Agency and a passport allocated or denied. PNG without being disrespectful will not be eifficient in processing passports compared to the likes of the UK but even here such a process would take some time.

I hope Smith is given the chance to prove he can be our 13 for years to come

I think this would be best for the club in the long run but i just don't know if he's up to the job (hope i'm wrong) granted he's never had a run at any position let alone his supposed best.

Is ward no longer considered our 13?

If he didn’t have the injury history then I think 13 would be best position for Ward. However, I wonder if we now see him a slightly wider running second row with good hands. I think he will look good next to Gale as they are both smart players. If you play Ward in the middle I wonder if you just increase his workload and raise the possibility of him getting injured.



In terms of Smith I think he should be our 13 and I think if he gets a good run he will get more confidence and fitness. The only problem I can see is if you go with Smith at 13 and Ward/Martin second row then a lot of pressure on props to do big yards and not sure we have that at the moment.



In terms of brining in another player I am not sure anybody suitable is available and I would rather we waited and got the correct player longer term. Boyd looks great on paper but questionable attitude, questionable fitness and not sure he really wants to come to the UK. Could be with us a season and then back to Aus which isn’t what we need.



On balance stay in the market and if somebody comes up take them, if not start looking for next year and line up a really high quality addition.

Totally agree regarding recruitment. We need the right player and if that means waiting so be it.



I'm yet to be convinced by Smith but in fairness to him he hasn't had a good run in his favoured position.