Only guessing but the fact we now have Bowden, Pearce, Green, Kent, Crooks and Cunningham on ft deals may indicate Gentle will give the kids a chance.

A prop and right centre seem to be our priority.

I think McRae's 'two definitely' are exactly what you say, prop and centre, as they're the most pressing. The one depending on circumstances, I reckon that's a backrower if we can offload Obst.

That would point to a British centre and an overseas backrower.

It will be Lynch, and NRL centre and a british backrow I think.

I'd say that it will be Lynch and an NRL centre. The maybe will be an english back rower depending on how much cap is left after we sign our centre.

What back rowers would people be happy with??

Patrick?
Scott Taylor


Mariano?

I would have liked Lloyd White from Crusaders as a back rower

I know I've mentioned him a few times, but if it's the cap space that the 3rd player is dependent upon and not Obst's quota spot we could do a lot worse than signing Paul Johnson. Use him in the back row for next year and then he could move up to prop to replace Moa in 2013, as hopefully at least one of the youngsters will get enough game time to be pushing for a regular 2nd row place then.

Obst + a small fee for Johnson?

Why not do what we have all berated Agar for not doing and give youth a chance?

Manu, Tickle and Westerman to start with Whiting on the bench so that he can go to 13 allowing the backrow to be rotated. Then if we get injuries you have Kent, Cunningham and probably Pearce who could all do a good job of filling in in the second row.

Assuming we get Lynch that should leave us with a nice chunk of cap to allow us to go out a sign a classy centre.

I think that's exactly why Bomber has said they want at least 2, maybe 3. The 2 priorities being prop (Lynch) and centre, then backrow if they can. If they can't I would suggest they would be looking to the youth, which is why they have just extended 3 young forwards' contracts. Bases covered.

Much better to ease the youth in, with an established team that is playing well and winning games.