I dare say we already have our replacement 9 signed. GH let the cat out of the bag on this one a while back through his second media department (YEP) and that won't have been done by mistake.

And I dare say it's a name that's not been mentioned on this thread cos that's just how we seem to operate!

Harvey whiteley has been picked for England talking about future hookers.

Do share?

Agree with this.

I don't expect any loyalty from a player, as long as they try their best whilst here then I'm happy.

I would say, however, that there's nothing wrong with trying to encourage "loyalty" (or whatever you want to call it) above salary levels in the squad. As I think that's been a significant reason for our huge success. And, crucially, when a player shows loyalty, that loyalty has to be repaid by the club, in whatever form that may be (extra year contract, post-playing career jobs etc).

Pray tell?

While he has had a good year vus far if he wants to go fine. I don't think he is irreplaceable. I think a fair few hookers would have shined this year behind our pack and cuthbertson offload. I know he has had a good year but it isn't the end of the world

To be fair he is from PNG, a country where he certainly wouldn't be guaranteed another vocation

Nothing to share. I just don't think GH would get this far down the track without having a replacement set to go.

It's no coincidence that this season he's been getting more game time (at Burrow's expense) and our pack has improved beyond belief.
He's provided a platform for the pack, provided them with quality ball by providing a threat from DH, sucking players in then passing to the runners. He's also added a bit of creativity when attacking.

No player is irreplaceable but I'd only say Roby, of all the hookers in SL, can provide an equal or superior platform.

How long would we have stood by Aiton had he suffered serious injury or loss of form? Loyalty isn't a one way street and a club will dump a struggling player, the fans wont just expect it but demand it.

Player are disposable to clubs and fans, I have no issue with a guy getting paid when he can. Good luck to the lad.

As others have said you cannot blame the lad for taking a (substantial?) pay rise if there are no other incentives for him to stay satisfied with a lower salary.

It might have been different if he hadn't already tasted the success of a wembley cup final victory (with the strong possibility of 2 more cup final victories to come). So many greats of the game have got nowhere near this in their whole careers.