got a hooker in now

just what we needed still think we a thin if gaskill is out these is lack of cover at hb if brough or brieley get injured we have problems

He had a good 4n too

Didn't Gaskell have a foot problem in December and now a hamstring problem?

Well who knows- could be true or could be rumour. The club have said nothing.

Given the latest signing of O'Brien which allows Hinchliffe to move to back row I would move Symonds to left centre with Murphy on the wing. Gaskell as a backup player. Looking pretty good now I think.

I like Symonds as the right second row, we are much more solid defensively on that side with him there and he will help Brierley out no end

That would work well I think-
how about hinchy playing second row- solid tackler to shore up that side as per hudds RL5s comment - and hinchy inside of Leroy inside of Jerry -could be a very lucrative little trio that- hinchy is able to pass well to his right hand side and give Leroy and Jerry space they have a field day.

no way!

symonds is class at second row linking up with cudjoe and mcgillvary on that right side is one of the best in super league.

taai/ferguson with gaskell and murphy other side.

Symonds was given 11 so likely to play left hand side.

whichever side you wont see hinchlcliffe ahead of him in the that role. hinchy loose forward or hooker certainly nothing else

I may be wrong but didn't Symonds play left side last year? Certainly did at Salford.
Anyway, just my opinion....I'm sure Mr Stone has it sorted

I'd expect Hinchy will be our 13 now which is great

i seem to remember him playing alongside cudjoe and mcgillvary..setting up some nice tries too for them

may have had to fill in other side for injuries but the above combination of those 3 on one side is top class

if hinchy move to 13 where does that leave bruno?

bench? give hinchcliffe a rest but that would then prob mean leaving roberts out who has great impact off the bench

its a squad game anyway some will have to miss out some games cant play them all

So we actually have choices and true competition for places then - GOOD NEWS

We have Symonds, Ferguson, Roberts, Ta'ai Lawrence, Mellor possibly Hinchcliffe competing for three places plus Sebastine if he's not propping.

So for example Rapira, O'Brien, Wakeman, Symonds, Ta'ai Hinchcliffe

Bench Clough, Ikihihifo, Leeming Roberts or combinations there of.

Over a long season we should be able to get a fresh decent competitive pack out every week be interesting to see RS's opening pick give us an idea what he's thinking maybe with the 'riches' he now has he will play Hinchy at 9 and rotate 3 hookers he's certainly got some choices.

RS did say last year that he rating leeming but he still had some development to do. It could be that hinchy sticks at 9. We've heard various conflicting stories about his "preferred position". When he initially came to us he said that he couldn't wait to play 9 as he had been behind the greatest hooker in the world and hadn't had much opportunity in his natural position and wanted to be back there. Then later we heard how he preferred to play at 13 as that was where he had been playing more recently.
Seems the line will be spun in the media to placate/enthuse the fans -we aren't the only team to do it either!
Personally I'd keep Bruno in the squad whatever the choice for Hinchcliffe- but give him a rest occasionally- keep him fresh and hungry.

its great news competition for places is what you need. Sure all the lads will have a big part to play this seasons looking forward to round 1 now.

hinchcliffe went ok at hooker for us in 2016 but i think he would be far better for us at loose forward where he played most of his nrl career.. we now have the option to do this with leeming and obrien in, cant wait

hinchy and bruno are tackling machines but hinchy is more attacking and better ball handler/passer to create opportunities

If it were my choice I'd want them both on the field. Bruno was one of our better players last season. He was certainly the most consistent-more so than Jerry and Leroy even.

Bruno was fine till "they" started messing about / bulking him up etc

He was working well at centre and his size could have been used to create a P Newlove type in that position IMO Then "they" thought about making him into a winger and remember him playing a cracking display in that position away at Saints one wet and windy evening Then THEY decided they decided " lets put him in 2nd row or perhaps loose forward "
IMO the lads done well to maintain the standard he has Could easily been groping for positional play like a headless chicken

Perhaps better shut up before hes tried at hooker (though personally I`m seriously hoping Stone will provide a little more stabilty and less Woolworths pic-a mix for our future progression !

Good point cracker- although he was only 17 when he made his debut and it appeared hadn't had his peak teenage testosterone hit- his legs were like brierleys!!!

might still both be on the field if we persist with hinchy at hooker again!