I think Olpherts will be very useful this year, IF the online and game day abuse by fans stops. Had a complete loss of confidence last year, not helped by fans imho. How about getting behind him and being supportive? Is a quick, powerful 3/4 and useful. Much more raw ability that Kershaw for example….

well said, get behind the lad.

I attended most of the games last year and I don't recall any game day abuse beyond the despairing groans most fans make on the back of continued clangers. Can't speak for the online stuff as I stay away from it. What I will say is that the answer to all this lies with the player. If he: - A) Attempts to compete for high kicks and doesn't leave for teammates B) Cuts out the lateral running in yardage carries C) Cuts out the litany of dropped ball both in contact and out of it - he'll be a much more popular player. He's been told that the club "want to move in a different direction" at the end of his contract so it's really up to him to put it right this year in terms of looking after his own future. I'm sure there is a better version of Olpherts than we saw last year because there couldn't be a worse one. Not sure of the 2024 vintage on the evidence of Boxing Day - two fairly simple finishes v one appalling pass across the face of his own posts that could have easily cost a try and turned the game in Wakeys favour. He'll get my full support when and if he plays, but it will take a lot for me not to expect an error every other time he touches the ball.

This seems to be the standard aimed at Olpherts yet the same could be applied to Fusitua who is on 3x the money but to most on here seems to be bomb proof.

Fusitu’a makes nothing like the number of mistakes that Olpherts does, and rarely when under no pressure. I’d prefer to see the kids play than Olpherts, they would benefit from the game time.

I think most peoples issue with Olpherts is when things went wrong for him last year instead of going forward he started to shy away from the high ball etc.

To compare him to Fusitua is laughable. Fusitua has his issues (namely his injury record) but is solid or more under both the high ball and coming out of yardage.

That's a very lazy comparison, in my opinion. They are poles apart in terms of ability.

Don’t agree with that……

Respectably Shabs, that's BS. If you're putting olpherts anywhere near fusitua on ability you need to give your head a massive shake.

Not just about ability though is it. Look at Fusitua’s game percentage/injury record. Compare salaries. Fusi clearly much more talented, but worth 3x more in terms of productivity to the team?

It is, because ACs post specifically mentioned ability and you said you disagreed.

The thing is, the 2023 version of Olpherts wasn't some less talented but more reliable version of Fusitua. He was bought to deputise for Wing and Centre, and in a year when our first choice options - Fus, Handley, McDonald, Newman - missed 35 games between them, he was selected just 14 times, 3 less than either Newman or Fusitua. The reason for that was simple - the appearances he did make were generally calamitious. I know you listen to a lot of games on the radio (not knocking that) but if you'd taken in those 14 games in full you might have a different assessment of his abilities. BTW - I'm not privy to the details of players wages but I doubt very seriously that Fusitua will be earning 3 times as much as Olpherts.

I'm talking value for money I'm hoping Fusitua can showcase his undoubted talent he signed on big money but can't think of any wow moments/finishes like Makinson or Johnson produce almost weekly.

I’d imagine Fus is on less on his new deal as well.

I think he consistently has finished the few chances we’ve sent his way. There some fault to be laid at our less than stellar attacking structure last year not giving him the opportunity to show off his finishing ability.

Having said that with all the other pieces sorted he should show much more this year, on the assumption he stays fit.

Yep. I'm hopeful that we'll play in excess of 30 plus games next year, and if so, you'd have to think Fus would be playing 25 or perhaps more if he wants an extension. If his body can manage that I'm sure he'll score on a regular basis.

If given the opportunity in the opposition 20 metres zone Fusitua will score plenty of tries. He hasn't the pace to score from Distance like Johnson or Handley. I'm not sure if he has scored a try for us from in his own half, or even finished of a move started in our half. He may have done but none springs to mind.

What I like about Fus are his skill level which is very high for a big man, and his D when he comes in off the wing and puts a shot on. He does lack outright pace but that’s the compromise (and his injury record). Probably one of the best all-round players in the whole team when he is fit.

I’m hoping that our new half-back combo will be working out how to set him free in 2024, we criminally under-used him at times.

Fusitua is very good on form. It's just that Injuries mean he's out or not match fit for half the season.

I'm hoping he and Newman finally have some good luck this coming season

Hopefully plenty of cross field kicks for the big man as well. A tactic barely used last season

As soon as Sinfield started kicking to the corner for him against Cas they couldn’t deal with him in the air. Only took the whole season…

Would be a big bonus. Not sure how realistic that is though….
Brutal game when you’ve already had lots of injuries and weakness’s……

Interesting times ahead I feel with Olpherts and Fusitua out of contract at the end of the season and Johnstone rumoured to be returning to UK.

Saw Olpherts in a gym in Wakefield today which seemed strange when he has all the facilities at HQ.
Says he`s putting in lots of effort and training ready for the start of the season.
Good luck to the lad if that`s his intentions.

Not sure it's been picked up on but looking back at the walmsley intercept that miller gave up on how fast did jack Smith look, made real ground on him and would have made the tackle given about another 10 meters.

Yes i noticed that and Walmsley is no sloutch.The little that ive seen of Smith he's always impressed me.Seems to have it all to be a good centre.