www.skysports.com/story/0,,12206_6866934,00.html He may not start every game at halfback and they'll probably use him to compliment the young lads they have like Gaskell etc. What's people opinions?

www.skysports.com/story/0,,12206_6866934,00.html He may not start every game at halfback and they'll probably use him to compliment the young lads they have like Gaskell etc. What's people opinions?

good signing imo.

now can we have benji marshall please?

As with all signings you never know until you have seen them play a number of competitive games in Superleague (not friendlies) and there have been many players come over from the NRL who have been below par in Superleague.

Ive not seen him play for a couple of years now but at 28 i can't imagine he has diminished greatly, he's certanly coming over here with plenty of gas in the tank. He has bags of expierience, can play in a number of positions and is a clever player - i can imagine the younger players at St.Helens will benefit greatly from having him around.

On paper a very good signing.

In theory it's a good signing, but from what I've seen of Hohaia he will have a great game one week then he will have two or three poor games. But only time will tell

Hohaia does show up in the big games and has won the Warriors some play off games and usually plays well against the Aussies in test matches.

You'd guess that he'll play in the halves with Wellens still being there but I can't recall seeing him play there for the Warriors or the Kiwis. Only ever seen him play at fullback

Given how well Wello is playing this season, if he was here tomorrow my guess would be he'd play 6 to Lomax's 7.

I think we'll see Leon moving to the Bulls and Jammer to the NRL next year, with Saints signing at least two more decent names for the new stadium.

He has played 1, 6, 7 and 9 for the Warriors.

Might he take over at FB from Wellens once he retires? I can't see Wellens playing for much longer past the end of next season and Hohaia has signed for four years apparently

Wellens could play for another couple of years in my opinion, no idea who will take over from him - lots of youngsters can make waves in 3 years, plus Lomax has been mentioned as Wellens' successor too.

FWIW, I've never really rated LH, but he has shown up big time in some big games in recent memory. Has speed and flair, so hopefully will fit in with what is shaping up to be an entertaining Saints side under Simmons.

Thats how i see it, plays 6 next year to replace pryce and then moves to FB in 2013 to replace wello

It's a great signing for them on utility value alone and he can goal kick as well.

A very shrewd signing I think. I think hes going to offer saints young backs some invaluable experience and possibly organisation too as Deacon did for us. Think he could be an underrated signing like Deacon was but could make a massive difference.

Plus, unlike Deacon, he can run



Is Deacon playing this weekend by the way? Did he play last weekend?

Deacon makes up for his lack of pace with brilliant knowledge of the game, passing game and positional play. He uses Sam to run off him to provide the pace. I'm just saying he might not be the marquee signing some may have wanted e.g. Cooper Cronk but he may turn out to be a good on.

Deacon back in the squad for Hull KR yes. Much needed too

Meh never been impressed by Hohaia, although Saint's or anyone in SL were always more likely to sign someone of his caliber rather than a Thurston or a Cronk. My feelings on him are he's a jack of all trades and a master of none. As proved by the fact he doesn't really have a position nailed down for either club or country. Also it's long contract to offer a 28 imo, in contrast Finch signed a 2 year deal and is only a year older. Still I'll be interested to see where he plays for Saint's.

I'm intrigued further has to who else Saint's will sign. Particularly if Graham does indeed leave. He's a huge near impossible player to replace considering what he does. Plus with rumors of Pryce and Puletua also contemplating leaving, that's hell of a lot of strike power departing Saints next year.

I think LMS will take over Grahams role as a long minute prop, but youre right if we lose Graham and Puletua, we'll need 2 top drawer signings to fill the void

A utility player is invaluable in today's game. Would you class the Tomkins brothers as a jack of all trades master of none?

FB or SH, SR or Centre?

Joel's played in the centre's less than 10 times in his career so far, so I think it's safe to say he's a backrower.

Sam although he started as a SO has been a FB for us for more than a year now, and against many fans wishes on here hasn't reverted back to SO for a quite a while. Also I think it's pretty safe to say that Wigan are still working on finding Sam's best position at his young age. While Hohaia at 28 really should have found his position and settled in it.

I wouldn't argue anything against utility players as you say their invaluable. But it's my opinion that if I'm signing a top class overseas player who I'm paying a lot of money for on long term deal I'd want him to be more than just a utility player.

to be fair though, a player who hasnt got a settled position for his world cup winning side, but is usually in it, and has been for 10 years, but will still only be 28 when he gets here isnt all that bad is he?

On his day I think he's a very good fullback from what I've seen. And by all accounts he's a good half back too. I think people are too quick to jump on the assumption that if a player doesn't play just one position then they can't be a quality player.

If you play him at FB in place of Wellens good move IMO. If he's asked to play in the halves then I wouldn't be as happy were I a Saints fan. I'm just glad you didn't manage to sign Cronk that's for sure.



Reading your board and some of the other names your linked, I think you'd be better keeping who you've already got. Graham would be a huge loss, you don't need me to tell you that. But the longer he goes without resigning the less likely he is to stay imo.

I've been imprssed with the Lomax Gaskell combination to be honest. They seem from what I've seen to be playing some good stuff. I'd be tempted to stick with those two next year and like I say go with hohaia at FB.

The huge plus point for you guy's is the stadium you'll have soon. Something I'm a little envious of considering what we gone through recently with the DW.

so he is the same standard as Hock then

why not? he'll still a class act a 6