[uAs It Stands:[/u

[uFull back:[/u


[uWingers[/u
2 Mark Calderwood 2010
5 Gareth Raynor 2010

[uCentres [/u
4 Kirk Yeaman 2010
21 Tom Briscoe 2013
24 Craig Hall 2010

[uStand Off[/u
6 Richard Horne 2011

[uScrum Half[/u



[uOOC:[/u
1 Motu Tony 2009
3 Todd Byrne 2009 Quota
7 Chris Thorman 2009
14 Richard Whiting 2009
17 Graeme Horne2009


Bit of recruitment work to do there, then



We've got 2 quota spots left (Assuming Byrne and Cusack leave and Crocker arrives) so I'd go for a quota full back and scrum half. If Crocker doesn't arrive, use that quota spot for a centre. Reckon Tony will go home as well - can't see us renewing his deal with his injury record the last 2 seasons. Question is who to retain (if any) of Thorman (as cover in the halves, or is Lee a more versatile option?), Whiting (probably retain but as LF) or Graeme Horne. We need some serious upgrading.

Would retain Whiting. All others you mention should go.

I class Briscoe as a winger now to be honest.

I expect Thorman Whiting and Horne's contracts to be extended.

But we will need to sign a full back and a centre

TBH I'd let all of the OoC players go.

Lima for Cusack

Agree 100%.

Agreed.

Tommy Lee played great today



Graeme Horne has been good all season!

I'd keep Whiting as i think he will be an important player for us going forwards (would love to see him have a run out at 13 when he's match fit). The rest i'm afraid can go!

G Horne was possibly the worst player on the pitch today.

need a half back and a full back (I like Motu but i think he's knees gone)

i'd send all the OOC players on their way and start afresh, unless we can get G Horne and Lee very cheaply as cover.

the only exception is Whiting if he has a good season (obviously he hasnt had a chance to impress)

No he's been adequate, there is a difference.

I 'd chuck Thackray on that pile also.

me also, he's nowhere near what he was in 2005

You could say that about half the team

Will Laukai play second row or prop for us?

depends what you are happy with. if your happy scrapping into the playoffs every year and maybe wining a game, than extend those contracts. if you want to challenge you need an upgrade. yes they all try hard (horne,whiting etc.) but do they posses the skill to take you to the next level.

That's our problem... too many average players that we build up to be something they aren't.

I get a feeling of de ja vu here...going back to our premiership win in early 90's and then the total inability to build and push on from there.....is the same happening now?

[uProps:[/u
8 Ewan Dowes2010
19 Paul King 2010
28 Epalahame (Hame) Lauaki 2011 Quota


[uOOC:[/u
10 Peter Cusack2009Quota (33 next season)
25 Dominic Maloney 2009
18 Jamie Thackray2009

Might keep Thackray on another 1 year deal. Cusack will go. No idea about Maloney other than he's yet to play.

It's not just that , He carries to much baggage off the field , King can carry his bags for him .

That team was made up of some very average players. Nolan brothers, Gay, Mackey, Marlow, Sharp even Eastwood & Harrison. Brian Smith came in though and turned them all into world beaters over night and installed a great amount of belief.

John Kear installed that belief into some average players for 5 games in 2005. Peter Sharp did the same for the end of 2006.
What we have now is avaerage coaches and average players. No sense of belief and little confidence.

Forget the first 5 games this season ( I can't be d to work this out) but what is Agars win %.?

Now the players.

I would say goodbye to

Motu ( I love the guy but he wants to play NRL and he is injury prone. Will he play again.? )
Yeaman. Way past his best and living on past glory for 24 months at least now.
G Horne ... average at best.
T Lee ... I just don't rate him, though I can't fault his effort this season.
Radders, Dowes, King, see Yeamo.
Thorman never rated him but was prepared to give him the benefit. 8 games in and he has done nothing to change my mind.
Byrne will be going home, possibly to retire, but not good enough for a quota spot, Cusack also not good enough for quota spot.

It time to tell these players the truth. They may well realise that as they are staring at the dole queue next season they have to perform to get a contract elsewhere. They may also say sod it I can't be d. Which given that there is no relegation and we have no chance of winning anything then there is no loss.

I'd keep Thorman, Whiting and Horne.

Good clubs need depth in the halves. Thorman may not be very consistant, but has shown that he CAN have a few decent games in him. He can also cover a few positions and is a good goal kicker.

Whiting can play everywhere and is very solid and always done the job for us.

Graeme Horne is starting to look good at centre, and can also cover back row.

Motu is too injury prone
Byrne is not good enough to fill a quota spot.

We DESPERATELY need a new FB and SH. I've been saying this since the end of 2007 now.

I think that particular accolade goes to Thorman, who was truly shocking.

Agreed, he has been well shown up now