Personally, I wouldn't be surprised to see SOL retire at the end of the season

Tomkins, Williams and Leuluai have all had the odd go I think but it's obviously a concern. If Smith were an 80% + kicker we could potentially swerve the issues he clearly got but he isn't and the rest of his game is falling apart around his ears.

I hope Shorrocks is putting hours and hours in to his goalkicking because there is a place in the side for a good goalkicker.

I think he will if we win something. Don't think he'd retire after 3 trophyless seasons.

Did anybody else notice the kicks Shorrocks was putting up during the warm up ?
All different and almost uncatchable, and did anybody notice how many he put up during the game ?
I reckon it was zero, tragic waste !

Me and my old man said the same thing, under no pressure Tomkins struggled with one or two of them, in a game situation they would have been very hard to handle, spiralling and high as hell! Would love to have seen him send up a few bombs as the repeated bad grubber kicks nearly had me doing the Wigan Walk.

I think it was actually Higginson who was putting the bombs up for Sam in the warm up - they were monsters!

Is this is a typo?

No, just an extra battering ram. If you look at our sides this season we have used Burke, Tautai, Sutton and Mossop at LF so I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say Crosby could slot in there. I went with him rather than Tautai because he's more mobile and should be able to manage one longer stint. It's becoming quite common for teams to play a 3rd prop at LF now.

I think looking at what we've done this year shouldn't be repeated kast year, replacing ball players with props should definitely not be something we look to unless we have no other option. Our play is bland enough without adding more impetuous to taking everything up the middle.

So, assuming you agree that Lockers can't play the full 80, who goes to loose when he goes off? Bateman and Farrell aren't exactly ball players either. I'd hope replacing Smith with Leuluai would give us more of an edge in attack.

Micky Mac

If TL replaces Smith we'll have his field kicking game.
Whatever ones opinion of Smith the idea of Tommy kicking on the 6th again just isn't on.

We have enough half backs and TL would, and IMO will, be stand in hooker.
I don't like 20 min on and and hour on the bench hookers as it doesn't work for us.

Powell can do 80 mins as hooker and as far as I'm concerned MM & TL have to go the same distance if we are not going to waste two interchanges on hookers. Waney has been able to keep his forwards that bit fitter and fresher due to Sam Powell doing the 80. That is part of the reason we could hang on in games and in many come up with a last minute win.
If SL goes to 8 interchanges then an 80 min hooker is an absolute must!

I don't know mate, like you say who is there? To be honest though, if we don't get the team moving around more offering options, whatever player makers we have are destined to look poor.

I'll put my error down to old age and forgetting my specs


Still bloody good technique

I watched TL against the Raiders the other night and he was pretty damned good. Scored two tries, and was lively throughout.

I'd agree that Smith's 'best' kicking game is better than Tommy's, but how often do we see his best kicking game? I'd argue that TL is still a considerably better player with ball in hand, and certainly a much better defender.

I was wondering if we would go with something like

Tomkins
Manfredi
Gelling
Gildart
Burgess
Williams
Smith
SOL
Powell
Clubb
Farrell
Bateman
McCllorum

FPN
Tautai/Mossop/Crosby
Sutton/Tomkins
Leuluai

We have too many props IMO and wouldn't be surprised to see one leave in the summer.

Ideally I think we could do with shedding a prop and bring in a utility back who can cover centre/wing.

Matty Smith should not be playing number 7 next year. His predictable and has been bang average this year.

Would anyone take Benji Marshall if was available?

Also I would take TL over Smith all day long, I understandthe dynamics of him playing alongside Williams as they are both running half backs but Smith isn't good enough.

I was watching some highlights from a few years back and seeing TL and Bret Finch cut teams to pieces just highlights how bad the attack has decreased.

Smith hit rock bottom in that last ten minutes tonight. I mean, he's been woeful all year (and last) but that last ten was different level. We were all over Hull and he killed our momentum in two consecutive sets. One with a pass to Sam Tomkins gray and the other with a pass 10 yards behind the attacking line.

Don't get me wrong it's not solely Smiths fault but he's not up to the standard we require. I'm not even sure he's up to the standard required to play superleague at the moment. He looks a shell of a player.

Apart from Willams, Sutton, TT, Manfredi and Bateman the rest are useless ( Sarginson), overrated (MM) or busted (SOL).
You couldn't give me a ST for next season.
IL needs to get a grip or he has zero investment. KR is a total utter disaster and needs to go.
Tonight we were embarrassing. In the first 7 mins and 30 seconds not one forward took the ball in. Words escape me.
Any team that had Isa and Mossop in starting 17 is second class at best.

Imo, you need to build a pack around Williams...time for Matt Smith to go.
I actually think Williams at 7 and Sam(when fully fit with a preseason) at 6 next season would be a great.

Just saying from a point of primrose and blue eyes out looking in.

Waney is ok even if we hate him. Cut him open and he bleeds meat and potato. He just needs someone with him instead of young men on laptops.

I know the last paragraph sounds a bit trollish but it's not meant to be.

Tommy L has been superb for the NZW in the past few games since returning from a serious injury, setting up tries, clinical passing, top defence..He's 31, i hope 2 years at least in the first team before player coach role.

Perfect player to assist George Williams or ST in the middle, a really good signing.

Id like to see Williams given the 7 shirt and Shorrocks the number 6. Smith is a passenger and looks past his sell-by-date.

Well, Willie Isa was originally a centre, and he's not going to get a game in the second row when JT, Faz and Bateman are all available...