This is how I see it - Leeds will be very dangerous indeed next year and there are a number of (important) players in the Saints pack who are now in decline.

Saints have work to do beyond 2022 in the pack, particularly in the front row.

Oledzki would be Wire's best prop option for 2022 if he was there.

Bit disappointed (but not surprised) Fusitu'a won't be arriving until mid-December at the earliest. Let's hope it's not too long beyond that.

I still think we'll miss that extra big body down the middle next season, especially when we pick up injuries again. I think Fusitu'a was an opportunist signing - probably not the sort of player most SL sides can afford these days, but heavily subsidised by the Warriors in this instance. The side does have a more potent look about it with him on the team sheet. In theory.

I'd like to see us announce a new long-term deal for Newman. We're about to start pre-season and still don't have our first choice 2 and 4 available but it's a million miles better state than the same time last year.

There are two benchmarks this side is battling against. One is the current Saints side, who are very good still. The other is the Golden Generation Leeds team - hopefully this group will emerge from both shadows over the next 2-3 years.

As long as Fusitu’a is here a month before the start of the season I have no concerns. No doubt about it he was an opportunist signing, we were on the look out for a prop, no players of a suitable quality were out there, Fusitu’a improves the side and is the sort of player who very rarely becomes available.

If we do get injuries at prop we’ll be using Thompson and Mustapha or we could make a mid season signing if needed with the salary cap space freed up with Gale’s departure.

Mustapha's an interesting one for me. With King's departure, Thompson's age and our failure to secure another prop in the off-season, he becomes more relevant to retain at Leeds.

You might think he'd be a candidate to farm out to a Championship side but it looks like we'll need him. Maybe a short-term loan deal,

He showed up well for HKR at the end of last season.

Also interesting is that Cats have signed or been linked with several NRL players, but haven't announced Napa yet. I just wonder whether we are in for him and trying to make it work at the last minute. Personally I'm not sure about him but... would he improve our pack? Probably.

Is there any understanding of why Hull KR didn't want to keep him on? As you say he did appear to be doing well for them but still they decided not to retain him.

I remember reading that Tony Smith said that he was sorry to be letting him go and really liked him

We’d have to let an overseas player go, presumably Thompson, but Napa, a state of origin regular would certainly improve our squad.

I'd be happy to lose Thompson if we coukd get Napa

I doubt no one on here would disagree.

Is that like a quadruple negative?

https://www.therhinos.co.uk/2021/11/26/ ... in-rhinos/

https://www.therhinos.co.uk/2021/11/26/ ... in-rhinos/

Nice to see he has landed this evening.

Just noted on his interview re. boxing day he said it would be "good to watch the boys play". I don't know how literally to take that but doesn't sound like he'll be ready to go?

Also noticed Tindall lining up on the right wing outside Newman in some of the training footage, so wonder if we'll go with him and then Briscoe left centre as Sutcliffe won't be ready yet of course.

Anyway, great to see Fusitu'a here and at the club, I think he's a terrifically skilful player for a big lad and I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do with us.

Tom Briscoe says on his testimonial vid that he is training in the centre position so i think we can expect him to take that spot till Sutcliffe is back

I’d like to see Tindall given a run anyway - he looks to have put some size on.

Hes nowhere near good enough.

With Sutcliffe, Broadbent and Briscoe there’s a bit of competition for the 2nd centre spot

The left Centre really should be Jack Broadbent before the end of this coming season then that’s a position we don’t need to look at for 10 years.

I'm looking forward to seeing what shape Hunwicks can get Fusitua (and the rest of the squad to be fair) into over the next couple of months.

I agree but that will be tough for Jack as it seems he his third choice at present.

This for me is one of the most interesting (if risky) seasons in prospect I can remember for Leeds.

Nearly every player is either fighting for a spot, a contract, and/or has a point to prove. Hunwicks has to have some impact, although it may take a while to really see it.

Agar and Long have an actual team to train with in pre-season, which we didn't have last year.

I'm keeping fingers tightly crossed over Fusitu'a. I think this is a cracking signing, but it could be a disaster too. I can't wait to see this new look side trotting out next year though - if nothing else I think we'll be entertained.

That no.6 for Tonga looked class.

Tui?
He still is. Especially at sumo wrestling…..

Given the way he tackles Tui would be hopeless at Sumo Wrestling