Westsboi2019
Well-known member
Would Blore be better coming off the bench considering his how long he was out?
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
- Start date
We starting Talau instead?
Same situation.
I guess you could play Joffa at 13 and Bateman at second row with Ster or Twal playing starting prop.
We got options.
hammertime
Well-known member
The other main edge option would be Talau, who is in the same boat.
earl
Well-known member
Fair point. I'll give them to round 3 next year.
Halbrowne61
Well-known member
Not sure I consider Joffa as an appropriate 13, at least based on his time their this season.
Would imagine if Bateman deal goes through, he would be the 13.
So many good posts in the last couple of days, but still some negative Nellies. We have signed 3 and maybe 4 quality forwards, and a good back who may transform into a good fullback. They are chasing a quality half in Moses. I have no doubt, that they have put in offers to quite a few others,and wisely kept this underwraps. They have promoted many young and promising players
such as matamua, pole and others,Our outside backs such as Kepoa, and Topou are young and promising, and with our new coaching staff , may turn into top class backs. We have spent wisely in a difficult market, and not making the panic buys of below average players for big bucks. Sheens is playing the long game, having plenty of cash and vacancies, to buy for 2024. While at the same time, trying to assemble a reasonable side for next year. I doubt if he could have done more,.
such as matamua, pole and others,Our outside backs such as Kepoa, and Topou are young and promising, and with our new coaching staff , may turn into top class backs. We have spent wisely in a difficult market, and not making the panic buys of below average players for big bucks. Sheens is playing the long game, having plenty of cash and vacancies, to buy for 2024. While at the same time, trying to assemble a reasonable side for next year. I doubt if he could have done more,.
earl
Well-known member
I couldn't pick Talau or Blore in the starting team and probably off the bench. To me they have to earn it. I'd have Matamua ahead of both of them.
The big thing is we do have options now. Surely our pack will be competitive every week assuming we get a decent run with injuries.
earl
Well-known member
Do we really have plenty of cash for 24 ? We are bringing in Api, IP, Klemmer and probably Bateman. They are all on good contracts.
The team looks a lot better but they haven't won a game yet.
Halbrowne61
Well-known member
But I’m tipping they win more than they lose next season. Or is that hoping ?😁
851
Well-known member
I hope they lose both Brown and Moses, karma needs to run over that club
weststigers
Well-known member
It’s truly remarkable what the club has done in the off season by shedding so many players and replacing them with what many would consider upgrades.
On paper, our forwards look really good and the guys coming back from injury seem to be getting good reviews.
Depth is stretched at Hooker and in the halves. Rua and Simpkin are still learning and Will Smith is injury cover only. We need to pray for an injury free season. I also think the uncertainty in the halves around Doueihi staying may destabilise any progress we can make here, but only a theory and time will tell. Before Sheens hands over to Benji, we need our halves to be performing and locked in for 2-3 years.
Although we don’t have any big names in the backline, our centres are capable. To’a can break the line, Naden has shown what he is capable of in the past and Kepaoa is coming along nicely as well. If our new playing style gives them space to attack, they will look like world beaters.
Wingers are a lock with Noffa and Maumalo. Good finishers in their own right.
Fullback is up for grabs with Laurie and Staines. I think Laurie edges him out purely because of his ball-playing skill out the back. Staines will need to work on that to be in with a chance, but he is also adequate cover for wing.
Games aren’t won on paper or with theories and no one knows how we’ll go, but the early signs are positive compared with other seasons.
There are decisions the club will make that polarise fans and we can isolate individual club decisions and complain about it, but when you look at the rapid change the club has gone through in the off-season, and judge the transition as a whole, you’d have to give the club an overall score of 80%+ regardless of which side of the fence you sit on.
On paper, our forwards look really good and the guys coming back from injury seem to be getting good reviews.
Depth is stretched at Hooker and in the halves. Rua and Simpkin are still learning and Will Smith is injury cover only. We need to pray for an injury free season. I also think the uncertainty in the halves around Doueihi staying may destabilise any progress we can make here, but only a theory and time will tell. Before Sheens hands over to Benji, we need our halves to be performing and locked in for 2-3 years.
Although we don’t have any big names in the backline, our centres are capable. To’a can break the line, Naden has shown what he is capable of in the past and Kepaoa is coming along nicely as well. If our new playing style gives them space to attack, they will look like world beaters.
Wingers are a lock with Noffa and Maumalo. Good finishers in their own right.
Fullback is up for grabs with Laurie and Staines. I think Laurie edges him out purely because of his ball-playing skill out the back. Staines will need to work on that to be in with a chance, but he is also adequate cover for wing.
Games aren’t won on paper or with theories and no one knows how we’ll go, but the early signs are positive compared with other seasons.
There are decisions the club will make that polarise fans and we can isolate individual club decisions and complain about it, but when you look at the rapid change the club has gone through in the off-season, and judge the transition as a whole, you’d have to give the club an overall score of 80%+ regardless of which side of the fence you sit on.
We have 9 players off contract after 2023. Brooks, Douehi, - big money, Stains , Laurie-medium money, Seyfarth, Talau - ? Smith, Saukuru, Ma"manaime-- low money.
I would suggest , that only 3 or 4 would be kept. And with an increase in the salary cap, we should be ok.
jrtiger
Well-known member
given the eye watering sums of money that are being floated for Moses we absolutely have money to spend. keep in mind a lot of our squad are on modest wages. throw in the fact that Doueihi, Laurie and Brooks are all off contract and we’ve certainly got room to have a crack at some decent signings.
Kaito
Well-known member
Cap going up too. We got money
Or pay significant overs for them both.
No money left for the other players l.
Hate Parra.
Kelce68
Well-known member
So Sheens wasn't involved with the Papali'i or Koroisau signings eh?
The Fresh Oil
Well-known member
Hopefully they punt Brooks as soon as possible.
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Don Kershane
Well-known member
Gutho will have to do the work of 5 players. He already thinks he does the work of 3.
