Great news

Much, much better because we know they fit in....and want to.

If you have good players in positions: 1,6,7,9 you will be a good team. Wingers and are pretty minor compared to these positions. Even props only have to be good enough to cancel out their opposite numbers.

We are looking pretty good next year (starting 13 anyway). I have no doubts that Chase, Milner and Clark will all kick on and show us what they can really do next season. All we have to do now is show a bit of faith in Owen and hope he comes good at full back, bin McGoldrick and get some depth in the halves.

I honestly am happier with this than if we'd announced the signing of Cam Smith - Daz is the future and Cam Smith is 28, this is a signing for the future and long term. We might get a couple of great years out of an Aussie, but like with Huby, Shenny, Westy, Milner, Walker, Arundel etc..... they have the ability to influence our development long term - OR attract a signing fee is we agree to release them.

Brilliant forward looking signing..... Don't get me wrong I am not daft and the 5 year contract reflects potential now, but if Daz keeps developping as he is, then I could see this being reviewed in 2012/13 but this is the way business is done, we have essentially insured an asset.

Faumiuna Suchlike, flying threequarter from Otahuhu.

It does seem that RL contracts are starting to follow the route of football ie. clubs make sure they get players to sign contract extensions when they still have 1 or 2 yrs to go on the existing one thus ensuring players don't leave on a 'free'. As with Clarke, he was contracted until the end of 2013 but rather than leave it til he had only a year left at the end of next season they've got it extended now.