I disagree, but then I have an old-fashioned view that the foundation of any successful side is a strong pack.



Our pack may be adequate without another specialist prop, but we need better than adequate to move forward.

I knew it! You're a closet Bradford fan.

I disagree kosh.

Hull have been getting over the advantage line consistantly well for pretty much all of the season. Their inability to get over the try line had been the main problem. IMO Hull are crying out for a decent 6 to play alongside Long because he won't be able to do it all on his own.

With another decent half back Hall and Briscoe could be try machines next season.

How very dare you!

Which decent overseas 6 has been linked with any SL team though ? I'm not sure who or where this player is. As for getting over the advantage line well what the stats say and reality are not always the same thing. I would have preferred a top notch international level SO but if Moa signs it is a good medium term addition looking at the OOC forwards next year.

I am sure their trembling at the thought

There is your problem

I'm not suggesting that we don't have a problem at halfback. We clearly do. However, we also have options there for next season if only our coach uses the players he has effectively. And as pointed out elsewhere, there are hardly a large number of quality stand offs available to sign.

While our pack may have been making it over the advantage line, they haven't been making breaks or hurting the opposition in either defence or attack. There's also the fact that Lauaki will be far more effective out wide in the second row rather than driving it up the middle at prop.

For me the choice is keep Moa and boost the pack to a level where it can compete with the best in SL, or sign a [itop quality[/i 6. As there don't seem to be any of the latter available I feel that the former is the best use of our remaining quota spot.

If there is a great stand off out there available, then yes lets sign him, however I'm not sure that there is and would we be able to fit him in the salary cap.

Personally I would look to play Tansey at 6.

He won't put two second rowers on the bench so it would be Houghton for Tickle for me.

Could the reason we have been getting to the advantage line consistantly, be due to us playing an extra forward at 13?

Something we don't want to see next season if poss.

My mistake.

There was me thinking 13 was a forward

Calderwood on the wing for me with Briscoe / Hall and Yeaman battling it out for the 2 centre spots (although I believe Briscoe shoud be a definite next season with Hall and Yeaman battling it out for the other spot)

Fantastic news if true, young dynamic impact prop signing! well done FC. The future looks so bright. For the last two years we have had the lightest pack men in super league, well next year this changes!!! woooohooo!.
A mixture of impact and workhorses, aggression and leadership, youth and experience. I will go as far as saying the best pack in superleague when all fit. WELL DONE FC! (hope its true though ill maybe keep the champagne on ice till announced)

Ya nose wot I ment doughnut

For the past few years Hull have used their number 13 as an extra prop (as have a number of teams tbf), just ask Washy

and i don't see that changing too much next season either, be it Washy, Fitzy or Radders at LF.

Radford has got to get into the team yet, will be interesting to see the relationship that builds between Agar and Fitz/O'Meley as i can see Fitzy telling Agar to shove his 5 drives and a kick tactics up his arris very quickly.

Why? That would suit Fitzy's playing style, Long on the other hand may have something to say.

I agree to an extent but I would also say that this season we have really suffered in the pivots. Hopefully injuries aside we should have a lot more options next season with 1) Tansey 6) Horne 7) Long 9)Berrigan and 13) Washy.

We could also use Washy at 6 and utilise Fitz at 13 if Horne is out of form and we want to utilise an extra forward.

We also can use Tansey at 6 with Whiting at fullback so it's not like we are not without options and that is without using Turner.

On the Moa front it would be great news if he signs, plays with lots of enthusiasm and he will only improve imo.

I think last seasons pack was beaten in the majority of matches. Too light and not aggressive enough. Hopefully this will change now for next season and allow us to play a ball playing loose forward, without the need for an extra prop.

As for the backs I think we are well covered. Not sure on quality but Hall, both Briscoe's and possibly Tuffour and Lynne can expect more game time next season. Need to see how good they are.

If salary cap allows, I would like to see Hull look for a young half back who can learn from Long.

What about pat smith going full time to learn off Long? What about sending all players who could cover half back, and the u20's, to oz 2 to 4 weeks before pre season starts to have coaching off andrew johns? He coaches half backs at least 3 nrl sides as well as nsw. Then we can produce our own.

I'd have thought the u18s 7 rather than Pat Smith. Williams?

tbh my knowledge of the youth sides isn't the best i'm sure we'll see who the coaches see the best pending on who gets a contract for the u20's

Ive seen Pat Smith play a few times and i'm not sure he's has any ability to be honest. Ive heard better reports about the lad from the 18s. We used smith as a hooker a few times last year.

i haven't seen anything on the hull fc website (re sam moa) but if that's true then fantastic news

'smash fook' springs to mind when considering the opposition

bench has gotta be: houghton, moa, manu & lauaki