I think your last sentence contradicts the rest of your post.
You've just argued that the majority of our starting side are players who'd walk into nearly any team and shouldn't even be part of the discussion around not trying or not being good enough. I'd also add Turuva to that list, and if we're counting Luai on quality and experience (not current form), that's nine of the 13 starting spots.
So if your assessment is accurate, why would "anyone you throw into this squad look rough"? It doesn't follow.
If we added three quality first-graders in 2027, we'd have almost the entire starting side made up of players you rate highly. That can't be the sort of team where a quality recruit would automatically look ordinary.
I think we simply tend to overrate a lot of our players. Once they put on a Tigers jersey, they somehow become better in our minds than they really are.
The reality is they're mostly just good first-graders. That's not turning on them, it's just an honest assessment of where they currently sit. Outside of Api, and Luai (on reputation rather than current form), none are anywhere near elite in their positions. They put in the effort and can be excellent on their day, but they're not consistent enough to be viewed in the way you've described.
(Doueihi is an odd exception. It's difficult to judge him too harshly when he's being asked to play a position that clearly isn't his.)