So it's recruitment suggestions & rumours. As there are no rumours of note, I'm just going to spitball ideas based on what we have seen so far in 2023.
Fullbacks- Bula has the job as long as he's under contract. No change needed. The back-up Fullback role requires attention as I think we have 2 options, but both out of contract. To'a, at a pinch, can help here. I think FB is set.
Wingers- oh boy. Here we have trouble. Nofa simply can't defend. He has good games in him, but it's no guarantee to see them consistantly. Tupou is exactly what you hope for in a player, physically. BUT...he can't catch consistently. Given how many tries are scored through kicks, you can't catch 60-70% successfully. Either he needs practice (a lot) or....he's a centre? Charlie Staines might be the safest option we have, and along with his ability to play FB, should make him a priority re-signing. We could definitely do with 2 more wingers at the club, for depth at the minimum. Defusing kicks must become a priority.
Centre- Oh boy. Not getting better. To'a is our best, and he played really good against the Cowboys 6 weeks ago. But there's a lack of consistancy to make him anything better than pretty good. Naden is even less consistant. Talau is leaving & Kepeoua defends like Nofa. Feledy & Reilly COULD feature in our future. Tupou MIGHT be a better centre than winger. At least 2 more options are required here, and I'd just about say one at least needs to be a 'defensive' centre (Brad Parker?).
Halves- We'll just combine them here. We need everything. I assume Wakeham gets re-signed. Laurie COULD at least provide depth at 5/8 & Fullback- so he probably holds value. Doueihi...I hold hope, but most don't. 2 starters are needed- either immediately or at least within 12 months. Fainu is an obvious name. But really- kicking game, both long & short, decision making & at least a decent ability to read a defence required- I don't care if the 6 or the 7 are responsible for each task- just have them covered. Whoever is brought in, if not a rookie, faces a tonne of pressure.
Lock/Prop (Middles)- I think we are pretty good at prop. Klemmer, Stef, Pole, Twal, Fainu, James, Seyfarth. I'd look at Blore here, don't think his mobility fits out wide now. We really lack a lock forward. Matamua looks the best in-house option as far as readiness. Zac Fulton was finally linked to us. A more mobile middle that puts his head in the mixer is needed, just to add variety at least. MUST TACKLE. It would be great if he's a ball player too, but I'm happy to take a step at a time.
Backrow (2nd Rowers)- We are top heavy here- Bateman & Papali'i are 2 of our best. However....it's REALLY thin after. Sam Fainu could help immediately. There's a few youngsters in Tumeth etc that are rated high. But are they ready? We need at least 1 'starter ready' backrower. And at least 2 guys able to fight for another spot. Fulton & Matamua could be used here as well as Blore to cover depth.
Hooker- Api is our best player. He's great, no need to argue that. Simpkin is solid in defence & tries hard, but service from dummy half is noticably slower & momentum disappears with him on the field. Da Silva is clearly the future, and our best bet is for him to overtake Simpkin quickly. The more he learns from Api, the better. It would be GREAT if Rua could kick on & fill that back-up hooker/lock role. We just don't have that guy.
