i was just thinking that myself when i saw the title

We'll do worse that last, as well as this year





But yeah, we have missed Joe.

I think we`ve missed Joe because Sam hasn`t quite been the `presence` in the side we all expected. That `s not knocking Sam, as a young and still developing bloke, this is always to be expected to some extent but it`s had an effect on the team, and on their not meeting our expectations, never the less.

I agree that he`s looked more like his old self, and had a bigger influence on the game, when coming on from the bench.

Joe was an impact prop who did exactly that, and only that. His function was printed on the tin, for which he was supreme.
He was unencumbered by thoughts of changing his position or how best to use a blossoming talent.
Sam is certainly a more talented player all round, though not in Joe's primary role. At least not yet.
It will be interesting if/when he goes to NRL as to where they play him and develop his game down those lines.

I`m not sure how the Aussies would look to developing young British talent to be honest. For sure, I expect that, to some extent, they`d want what`s best for `their` player, but quite definitely,in the light of him being an expensive import who they, not unnaturally, expect to perform, and I don`t think he would get the same, dare I say, altruistic treatment from them that he would doubtless get at the Bulls.

Say no to antipodeans!