Who guessed it? I certainly didn't.

Going well, getting over the whitewash too. Fair play to the lad, looks leaner and fitter than last year.

When all our props are fit and available it will be good to rest and rotate them.

With Kasiano in the squad I honestly couldn't see a place for him in the 17. Certainly proving me wrong and looks to be getting better each week.

Totally agree with all these points. I believe we've probably got the best front row in the comp at the mo and it's going to need Walmsley and Lees to both be back in form to challenge that. I also think we've got the best interchange props too in Bullock and Kasiano.

If the saying's true: props win prizes, then we're going to be in with a shout. As others have mentioned previously though, we also need, in addition, our 2 second rows to be fit as we're short for cover.

I can see Philbin being drafted in as cover for 2nd row in extremis. Whether he could last a full 80 however…
Watching Wigan on Thursday my impression was their pack is underpowered reminiscent of ours last season. Catalans on the other hand will take some handling.

Very good stats and very well taken try from Mikaele on Friday. I thought he’d be a big weak link this season, pleased to be wrong yet again.

me too, didn't think he was up to the mark, either. Hat's off to Tom. Gives us a selection as mentioned by others, be interesting to see how we fair against Catalans, Wigan and St Helens in a few weeks time.

I'm with you here, Ratti. Never thought he had it in him to up his game, and what game he had was a 10 minute spell with 2 big hits, AND I know we are only 4 games in, but he seems to have got himself fitter he's playing with more energy and confidence.

Long may this continue as I'm sure it'll have if you pardon the expression a knock on effect with others vying for a pack place in the 17

Worth mentioning too Sam Kasiano’s deft pass to put him through and not the first time we have seen it this year. Seem to remember him putting Dudson through against us last season as well. Something we didn’t have last season.

Yeah i've watched him at Wests for a fair few years now and never seen him as fit and in shape before. Hats off to Ade whipping them all in to shape.
The fact he's turning in to a solid starting prop is amazing.
And like said above We have Dudson, McGuire and Philbin Yet to return, and Harrison to be 100%. So will be able to rest our forwards if and when needed. We're in a healthy position squad wise. Happy all round at the moment

Harrison is getting a rest now, he needs to get his knee right. More players available in the next couple of weeks.

AHEM

ive gone and done a ducky here.... stated something i know absolutely nothing about, then come back and claimed the credit, when in an amazing stroke of luck, im right.

Yes - Sam's always been able to do the tough stuff but once he goes into contact he's so big and strong he can turn and has the skill to give deft small passes.
He's always been a nightmare for defenders.

Except you posted it at the appropriate time, not after the fact!

i remember seeing him have a good game for wests... i say a good game, i remember him taking the ball in and flattening someone.. i then looked at his age and thought 'great signing'.

which is probably more research than has been done on some of our prop signings over the last few years.