Lauaki is a second rower. If we play him at prop, we aren't guaranteed a big tackle-busting prop.

Yes I know Luauki is a second Row, i'm saying i think that is Hull have signed him to use him as an impact prop. Hence i don't think we'll get another.

Moa is a project, but so is Maloney. How many projects do we need? Only so many squad places.
We also have King until the end of 2010.

Moa and Maloney are 2 props from different moulds, both defo worth keeping for a couple of years minimum as i feel they'll develop there games well imo. Especially if we are to continue the out with the old in with the new after this season too. ie end of 2010.

I think King will defo go some how some way.

I'd release Cusack and Moa and bring in a big bad prop on the quota to replace Cusack. If we sign Lynch, I'd still look to bring in an Aussie enforcer prop (and then don't sign up Thacks if we do). Thacks has been good for us, but Lynch is better, and given the option of big Aussie prop+Lynch or Lynch+Thacks, I know which I'd pick.

8. Dowes
10. New Aussie prop
15. King
18. Thackray or Lynch
19. Lauaki
25. Maloney


Don't forget...

23. Lee

I never forgot Lee he was down in the utility back slot with Hodgson.

Not to mention Lauaki, although we're probably gonna play him at prop.
Do we really need 5-6 second rowers?!

Like i say i think Luauki has been signed as an impact prop. So 5 for Second Row, yes why not. It would keep all of them on there toes fighting for a spot in the team, enough to cover injuries even if we get a couple, all of them are capable of doing a job so wouldn't need to worry. Keep them rotating throughout the season so they remain fresh for the full season with nobody burning out half way through or come business end.

It's a shame that loose forward at Hull now means "third second-rower". Whiting will never get a shot there as they seem to prefer a second-rower there before either of our actual loose forwards.

Agree with this but, i can see us reverting back to a ball playing Loose as opposed to an extra Prop/Second Row for next season.

Exactly.

Im looking forward to seeing Long, but i also think we need to get some basics right, like maybe standing a yard deeper in attack to allow us to shift the ball. Seems too much emphasis is put on stats like getting over the gain line which makes teams stand flatter but in reality its another stifling tactic.

i totally agree,
you can't really blame a centre for being a bit ball greedy in these circumstances,
to look after his winger he has to recieve a good supply of ball too.

First of all I don't know what players earn, these are just educated guesses.

Fitz for Crocker, but I can't see us paying Fitz quite as much as Crocker so I reckon about 20/30k a year saved there.

I reckon Cusack, Hall and Moa combined will be on about the same wage as Long will be.

Tansey will probably come on a similar wage to Thacks.

That leaves the wages of Motu, Byrne, G Horne and Thorman all free. Motu, Byrne and Thorman will all have been on a decent amount and Horne has been around the first team for a while and won't be on a pittance. I reckon we could have close to 300k available for next year if we do release all of those you mentioned. That allows us to buy 2 more top class players and still have a bit in reserve if we need it.

He's taken us to the most boring brand of rugby seen since the inception of superleague

Which I find particularly odd, when Sharp was sacked last year Agar seemed to give us more freedom in attack, and yet this year it's 5 drives and a (poor) kick.