To be honest Paul our bench wasn't that strong today ..Will be glad to get some of the main players back

My worry is our points difference. We ship too many easy points and don't capitalise when we have teams on the back foot. We have the 6th worst defensive record and 6th best attacking record. So I'm hoping for a lot when Cusack, Calderwood, Berrigan, Horne and (is it Lauaki or Manu that returns against Saints) return to the field.



As an aside, this hasn't happened in the previous two years - i.e. that we have been able to field an almost full-strength squad at the beginning of the second half of the season getting ready for the big-push: it will be a good indication of how good our squad and coaching staff really are.

My worry is that Cusack will be back v Saints and Agar will drop Moa!

The fact that they're quoting Cusack being back means something will change. Dowes, Radford, Cusack and O'Meley is a possibility as the props. I'd like to see O'Meley, Dowes, Moa and Cusack with Radford and Tickle second-row, Fitz at 13: Bam Bam on the bench. I'm not sure I'm allowed to select the team though - probably a good thing.

On current form Radford should be the most likely to be dropped. Ogre is outstanding, Moa and Dowes are showing up really well and whilst Radford has done nothing wrong he has not been as good as the other three.

Agar was praising Dowes on the radio this morning and never seems to drop Radford and to be fair they both played well yesterday. It would be a crime to drop Moa and TBH on the back of the last two matches I don't think any of them should have to make way for Cusack.

Agree mate and again yesterday he was spelled twice.

I would guess if Cusack is fit he would replace Hall on the bench and leave Radders in the 2nd row until Manu is fit.

Seems the most sensible. My worry was that Agar would drop Moa!

I think Sam's performances mean he is undroppable at the mo. Interesting to hear Agar say on the radio that he thought Dowes put in an improved performance (Dowes did play well) so maybe it is Dowes looking over his shoulder when Cusack returns?

One of Sam's strengths is how quickly he plays the ball. I'm sure he will work on ball security but like last season he is improving game on game with more time on the field. No way should he be making way for anyone at the moment. Agar has praised him a few times of late.

Exactly how i see him as well. You never want to curb a players enthusiasm, however he just needs to be taught to respect the ball a bit more.