Enough NZ coaches seem to have rated him.......not seen enough NRL to comment on his week in / week out form.

They might well do, doesn't mean to say I do though. Better halfbacks hence why he was playing fullback, and IMO better fullbacks. Doesn't make him a bad player by anyway, but just personally never rated him.

I see what you're saying here Gotcha but Saints already have a gaping hole in their salary cap for next season when Eastmond is leaving. The only cert to leave Leeds is Senior, and his position could theoretically and hopefully be taken by Watkins.

For Leeds to make moves in the transfer market now presumably requires some bold decisions to be made over the fate of the current playing squad. Making space for an international regular from the NRL will require Leeds to decide NOW to get rid of one or more of the likes of Burrow, Lauitiiti, Webb etc who will be on a large enough salary to attract someone of quality. I'm not saying that this shouldn't be happening, just that it is unlikely so soon into our new coach's tenure at the club and at this stage of the season.

Looking at the Warriors site, he has been used more as a utility player than in any particular position. Played at halfback recently and had a stormer but has also been dropped recently for an 18 year old.

Either way, he's won stuff, has experience and we have a dire situation at halfback. To get any experienced halfback at all is a bonus given that they are in short supply; to get one with his kind of experience is just great. I hope he settles in here. We have a little Kiwi type community going at St Helens! (And this is another name with too many vowels in it that I'm going to have to practice spelling)

We surely have more places to fill next season than any other club in super league bar Widnes? surely that is the case? if not then we are seriously going to be taking this club back.

Agree that we should be having a fair bit of movement in the squad. If that actually happens is another matter.

Does concern me that we don't seem to get in there early and as a result maybe have limited options. Ie hauraki for us to replace Eastwood. Yet Wigan and hudds both recruit quality back rowers.

Yet you're lying 2nd in the table with only 2 losses & have Pryce to come back.
I'd take your dire over ours.
We seem to have no one in our Academy to rate with Lomax or Gaskell who are both only 19 or 20. I think Hohaia has been signed for his utilty value.
I have to say that had we signed him I would be underwhelmed, but then our greatest need is in the front row. Though a top class 7 to put real pressure on Robbie would be an asset.

Good signing for you mate. The club has done well there imo.. Kiwis tend to settle well in this country (Eastwood apart lol)

We could take a leaf out of Saints book at the moment regardign recruitment. I was resisting calls for a clear out but I feel there maybe no alternative.. but we shall see once we get a fully fit squad..

See, signings like this really put our recent recruitment into perspective.

We can't afford to bring in marquee signings such as this as we currently have crocks like Lauitiiti tied into long term deals despite being past it. We also waste a quota place, and I'd hazard a guess a lot of money, on a 32 year old prop forward who has offered nothing so far.

Who is to blame for this poor mismangement of contracts and poor recruitment of players?!

Calm down. Lets not get too envious about their wonderful recruitment policies. They've signed a good player but they've been reactive because they were left with no recognized, experienced halves for next year.

Hardly a shining endorsement of their recruitment policies.

Still, it's nice to have the option of recruiting such players, we don't have this option due to offering stupidly long contracts to players who now offer very little, hence the signing of Cross.

Next season:

We're pretty much guaranteed to be losing Senior and Ali.

There are questions, for various reasons, over whether Webb, Leuluai, or Burgess will stay.

And there's no guarantee that JP will come back from injury as the dominant player he was.

On top of this, many (myself included) would prioritise the recruitment of a new scrum-half.

Demanding times for the Sleeve.

Quote ="craigizzard"Next season: We're pretty much guaranteed to be losing Senior and Ali. There are questions, for various reasons, over whether Webb, Leuluai, or Burgess will stay. And there's no guarantee that JP will come back from injury as the dominant player he was. On top of this, many (myself included) would prioritise the recruitment of a new scrum-half. Demanding times for the Sleeve.'" 1. Brent Webb (2011) 4. Keith Senior (2011) 8. Kylie Leuluai (2011) 10. Jamie Peacock (2011) 14. Ali Lauitiiti (2011) 16. Ryan Bailey (2011) 17. Ian Kirke (2011) 18. Luke Burgess (2011) 31. Callum Casey (2011) Questionable for Burgess now that Souths are interested, retirements of Senior, Lauitiiiti are a definate imo, maybe Leuluai aswell. NRL off contract players can be found here: nznrl.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/o ... yers-2011/

Quote ="craigizzard"Next season: We're pretty much guaranteed to be losing Senior and Ali. There are questions, for various reasons, over whether Webb, Leuluai, or Burgess will stay. And there's no guarantee that JP will come back from injury as the dominant player he was. On top of this, many (myself included) would prioritise the recruitment of a new scrum-half. Demanding times for the Sleeve.'" 1. Brent Webb (2011) 4. Keith Senior (2011) 8. Kylie Leuluai (2011) 10. Jamie Peacock (2011) 14. Ali Lauitiiti (2011) 16. Ryan Bailey (2011) 17. Ian Kirke (2011) 18. Luke Burgess (2011) 31. Callum Casey (2011) Questionable for Burgess now that Souths are interested, retirements of Senior, Lauitiiiti are a definate imo, maybe Leuluai aswell. NRL off contract players can be found here: nznrl.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/o ... yers-2011/

1. Brent Webb (2011)- Keep, 1 more year.
4. Keith Senior (2011)- Let Go.
8. Kylie Leuluai (2011)- Keep 1 more year.
10. Jamie Peacock (2011)- Depends on how he returns from injury.
14. Ali Lauitiiti (2011)- Let go.
16. Ryan Bailey (2011)- Keep 2 more years.
17. Ian Kirke (2011)- Let go.
18. Luke Burgess (2011)- Let go (obvious he wants to go to Aus)
31. Callum Casey (2011)- Haven't seen enough to comment.

Yes indeed. Like the stupidly long contracts given to Watkins, Hall, Clarkson and BJB.

Perhaps if Saints had tied up their young star (eastmond) to a similarly stupidly long contract they wouldn't have had to go out and sign another foreigner.

Agreed.

I'm sure JP will be ok.. it'll take him time but he's a legend - would re sign him for 2 more years.

Wonder how much cap space this would create releasing the above.. i'd hope plenty

Quote ="Frosties."1. Brent Webb (2011) 4. Keith Senior (2011) 8. Kylie Leuluai (2011) 10. Jamie Peacock (2011) 14. Ali Lauitiiti (2011) 16. Ryan Bailey (2011) 17. Ian Kirke (2011) 18. Luke Burgess (2011) 31. Callum Casey (2011) Questionable for Burgess now that Souths are interested, retirements of Senior, Lauitiiiti are a definate imo, maybe Leuluai aswell. NRL off contract players can be found here: nznrl.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/o ... yers-2011/'" We will lose Webb and Burgess. There should not be an option for Senior, Ali, and Kirke. Peacock will get another year. Kylie I would say should be gone, but with losing Burgess where will that leave us? hopefully a better option out there. Therefore plenty of movement to be had, with two very big hitters in the salary stakes there.

Quote ="Frosties."1. Brent Webb (2011) 4. Keith Senior (2011) 8. Kylie Leuluai (2011) 10. Jamie Peacock (2011) 14. Ali Lauitiiti (2011) 16. Ryan Bailey (2011) 17. Ian Kirke (2011) 18. Luke Burgess (2011) 31. Callum Casey (2011) Questionable for Burgess now that Souths are interested, retirements of Senior, Lauitiiiti are a definate imo, maybe Leuluai aswell. NRL off contract players can be found here: nznrl.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/o ... yers-2011/'" We will lose Webb and Burgess. There should not be an option for Senior, Ali, and Kirke. Peacock will get another year. Kylie I would say should be gone, but with losing Burgess where will that leave us? hopefully a better option out there. Therefore plenty of movement to be had, with two very big hitters in the salary stakes there.

Not arguing with the youngsters getting long term deals if they warrant them, which Watkins, Hall and BJB do if you ask me. But why the hell did we resign Lauitiiti despite him offering little for the best part of 2 years now?! Similarly, why has Senior been allowed to stay on for so long despite getting progressively worse and no doubt on very good money?!

Agreed, but we know what he's saying.. i took it he's referring to keeping Ali n Keith too long..

I hope not... for me he's been looking somewhat back to near best this season..

Precisely my point. Ali must be on a fair whack of money, he plays for 20 minutes and then is missing for 4 weeks!

Quote ="Frosties."1. Brent Webb (2011) 4. Keith Senior (2011) 8. Kylie Leuluai (2011) 10. Jamie Peacock (2011) 14. Ali Lauitiiti (2011) 16. Ryan Bailey (2011) 17. Ian Kirke (2011) 18. Luke Burgess (2011) 31. Callum Casey (2011) Questionable for Burgess now that Souths are interested, retirements of Senior, Lauitiiiti are a definate imo, maybe Leuluai aswell. NRL off contract players can be found here: nznrl.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/o ... yers-2011/'" Forget recruiting from abroad, lets source the best possible British talent and lets put the marker down and show some intent. If we do sign someone from overseas,it should be literally the best possible player available in the position we which to strengthen, foreign players are a luxury not necessity.

Quote ="Frosties."1. Brent Webb (2011) 4. Keith Senior (2011) 8. Kylie Leuluai (2011) 10. Jamie Peacock (2011) 14. Ali Lauitiiti (2011) 16. Ryan Bailey (2011) 17. Ian Kirke (2011) 18. Luke Burgess (2011) 31. Callum Casey (2011) Questionable for Burgess now that Souths are interested, retirements of Senior, Lauitiiiti are a definate imo, maybe Leuluai aswell. NRL off contract players can be found here: nznrl.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/o ... yers-2011/'" Forget recruiting from abroad, lets source the best possible British talent and lets put the marker down and show some intent. If we do sign someone from overseas,it should be literally the best possible player available in the position we which to strengthen, foreign players are a luxury not necessity.

I would agree with that if it is possible.

For me we made a mistake not getting Shenton this year, I would like to think we will not make the mistake again. Arundel is better than Shenton and will be a future start, I would love Leeds to sign him and play him with Watkins in the centres. I would also love us to make it a double signing from Cas by getting Owen with him.

Patrick from Huddersfield would be a senstional signing for any super league side.

Of that list I'd try and retain Peacock, Bailey, Leuluai and possibly Burgess. The latter may want to go to Australia but will they want him? No point letting him go to another SL club. Can Buderus really do another season?

Despite his quality passing Webb still isn't the player we signed, and Lauitiiti isn't either. Along with Senior this should give Leeds space to bring in some quality players - maybe a proper right centre if Smith doesn't work out, and a big impact forward in the mould of Eastwood.

What about this for a backline of homegrown players:

1. BJB
2. Hardaker
3. Smith
4. Watkins
5. Hall

I never mentioned it in the post but I was also thinking along the lines of Arundel and Owen, I'm not sure what nationality Ratchford is but I would look at him for cover in the half's. I see as an overseas recruitment someone like Junior S'au is off contract and would be a good replacement for Senior imo, although Arundel and Watkins should be the future.