Ma'u on the way soon according to his Instagram

Starts training next week, then just Connor and Jones to come in, start Christmas week. Just under 5 weeks now to our first friendly.

Danny Houghton has been sent for surgery on a wrist injury so will miss all of pre-season and is a doubt for our opening fixture. Looks like we'll see Johnstone sooner than expected. https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ry-3626390

Danny Houghton has been sent for surgery on a wrist injury so will miss all of pre-season and is a doubt for our opening fixture. Looks like we'll see Johnstone sooner than expected. https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ry-3626390

Quote ="scarrie"Danny Houghton has been sent for surgery on a wrist injury so will miss all of pre-season and is a doubt for our opening fixture. Looks like we'll see Johnstone sooner than expected. https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ry-3626390'" Disappointing but better now than at the business end. Great early opportunity for Johnstone to show what he can do.

Quote ="scarrie"Danny Houghton has been sent for surgery on a wrist injury so will miss all of pre-season and is a doubt for our opening fixture. Looks like we'll see Johnstone sooner than expected. https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ry-3626390'" Disappointing but better now than at the business end. Great early opportunity for Johnstone to show what he can do.

I read recently that Connor’s back training but only twice a week?

Yes. He isn't due back until next week or the week after but has been coming in a couple of days a week to get on top of things I think.
Must be trying to get a good Christmas pressie out of Radders!

Its a big problem for Radford what to do with Connor as i cant see him now nailing a regular starting position in the team.
He wont like it but my guess he will be moved around to cover for injuries at centre/half back and full back.
I think he will start on the bench with Griffin and two front rows.

I would like to see him given the 1 shirt, but that isn't going to happen. I think you may be right about him being on the bench.

I'd also like to see him at full back but like you say, that won't happen. I like him at right centre, with Ratu on the wing. We won't see the best of him if he's moved around too much. He's one of the few players we have that makes things happen so would like to think he'll be in the 13.

I'd like to see Carlos at Full Back, with Connor at Right Centre. Carlos played some really good rugby in the NRL from Full Back

Imo Connor should be starting centre in place of Tui - Tui is a good player but hes not as good as Connor and tough decisions need to be made with the squad we have next year

Connor was In a great run of form prior to him being moved around due to injuries. Hes our best centre imo. No one else is international standard and whilst he had a dip in form last year he was just one of many

1st friendly 3 weeks tomorrow. I think we only have the two so feels a bit light vs previous years. How many weeks until Jones joins us?

Cannot recall seeing CT play any NRL games at FB. He only played about a dozen first team games or so in his combined 4 seasons for NZ Warriors and Newcastle. At the Warriors he played predominantly in their youth team( NYC) at No 6 in his 3 seasons there although he did play full FB occasionally.

For the season at Newcastle he was tried unsuccessfully at centre where his defence let him down. Most of his matches were in their reserve team where he played at No 6.

I think we may see Adam Swift at full back for some games if Shaul is injured or left out because of form

Why?



Is this because 6 years ago, he played a few games at FB for Whitehaven, or am I missing something?

We do Seem to have an embarrassment of riches in the backs at the moment.

Assuming Sneyd & Kelly fit, then they play HB.

Centres - Tuimavave, Griffin, Fonua & Conner - possibly in that order ?

Wing - Naulago, Swift, Fonua, Faraimo, Dawson Jones.

FB - Shaul

Fonua will play whenever fit, so by my reckoning we have at least one back too many - even allowing for one out with injury.

Can't really imagine any of those not in the first team playing reserve grade more than occasionally - I suspect the odd one ( or two ) might be loaned out if all fit after pre-season.

anybody worried the adverse january weather could disrupt our two friendlies? the shay is notorious for cutting up and being waterlogged easily

Cant see Dawson getting a look in and Griffin is likely to start the season on the bench as the replacement second row.

If all fit the team really picks itself with the exception of Adam Swift on the left wing replacing Faraimo.
The bench likely to be Griffin,Connor,plus two front rows.Bowden has to step up otherwise could loose his place.

Savelio?

If fit has to be in the 17

Agree, just cant see some of those not starting being happy.

Josh was our biggest metre maker last year ?

Think Radford will use him in the front row and will be one of the two front row bench starters.
Will revert to second row when injuries/loss of form kicks in.
Thats why i think Bowden has to up his game as Masi and Bienek will be pushing him

Also, most people leaving Ellis out of starting 17 - very much doubt he sees it that way ?

Great position to be in though, real competition for places.

Squad numbers?

6. Connor
14. Kelly