Our last few overseas signings have been/seem likely to be relative duds. IMO if there's one area of recruitment we seem to have cut back on to the side's detriment, then that's it.

There is almost no point in signing any overseas player who isn't going to be a regular in the first team. If you look at their NRL careers, and where Leeds want to be in challenging for trophies, then I'd never have looked at Cross or Delaney, whilst Hauraki was possibly worth a punt because he did well in SL last year. If Hetherington thought Cross would be some kind of star prop or Delaney a centre likely to be as good as Senior then he needs his eyes testing.

That's a separate issue entirely from whether Leeds as a club would be attractive to young players. In years gone by Leeds would have to have been one of the least attractive clubs to join due to a massive preference for big-name signings. But surely the three issues that would matter to a young player would be (in no particular order and excluding the lads that join a club because they support them) - money, chance to play first team, and possibility of winning trophies.

Money I have no idea about (and nor does anyone else on here). In terms of chances to play first team, then apart from a few positions which have been locked up (stand off, loose forward) I'd argue a talented kid has as much chance of breaking into the first team at Leeds as anywhere else.

As for trophies, there are probably only 5 teams in with a realistic shout (us, Sts, Wire, Wigan and possibly Huddersfield if you're looking short term). Until the CC Final last year Leeds would have been ahead in the betting against most of the other teams in that group, or at least on a par. So I can't see who we have missed out - so far - on on that basis either. Of course if we seem to be dropping out of contention for the foreseeable future then that might change, but nobody can say that yet.

He's a cracking signing in my opinion and puts ours to shame!

We haven't signed anyone yet for 2012!

Any company which loses sight of their customers aspirations of them will soon have no customers!!

Know what you are saying but i think the salary cap may have something to do with the quality of signings available to GH..

It'll be very interesting to see what he does if this season ends up being a poor one. IIRC the last time i can remember GH having a clear out was in the days of Hay, Sheridan etc....

They did - but we didn't win owt!!

Delaney turned out to be exactly what was on the tin he never claimed to be nor was ever described as a centre either in the crative or in the "Senior" mould that some are comparing/expecting his signing to be.
As for Cross and Hauraki i never had you down to write players off 9 games in for their new club especially when both have missed games and neither have had the chance to play in a fully fit squad.
Again neither signing were described as "world class" but yet this is again the expectency of some at least give them chance to settle and a full season before writing them off as duds and the usual digs at GH for doing things cheaply.

Cross has played in 7 of 9, Hauraki 8 of 9. If Leeds had a fully fit squad available it's arguable whether either would earn a place in the the 17.

Yeah good point fella.. it's very early days.. remember how poor Donald was in his first season.. and he turned out to be imo one of the best overseas signings we've made for a few years

I also remember a heck of a lot of people saying Senior was cack when we first signed him and we should get rid and look how he has turned out.. a rhinos legend

Absolutely i don't disagree mate but far too early to be writing them off imo afterall i'm sure with a fully fit squad they'd contribute once settled in just like Kirke ,Poching and others like Dunners did!

Delaney, as spotted by me could be an effective second rower. He was signed as a centre and hasn't excelled there. I'd rather see a Clarkson, or Golden (at Quins) do the same job. For what Delaney offers, surely we didn't need to drag him half way round the world? I think we had/have the players already within our set-up.

As for Cross and Wellar, I'm not writing them off their ability and contributions pre-Rhino employment is the tale of the tape. Cross 100 pro games rooky in his 30's who is brain dead, is a flawed player. A, literally, technically awful player. And Wellar, who I have only seen for Welsh (not in the NRL really) is flawed also, with his strong weaknesses in defence. Also for value for money, we squeezed Giants out of the deal to capture him so read into that what you will. The issues these players have may be masked with better players around them, but I can't see either of them improving lock stock and barrell to an effective level. Their flaws are well ironed in. Again why bring them over? For their modest price tag it probably doesn't equate too well compared to an English C-rate player.

No agendas, just calling it as I see it.

As for a fully fit team, Cross or Wellar would struggle to make the 19 squad, let alone the 17. The same as Pitts. Get my point?

Huraki's tackling is a disgrace for a pro-player that will not improve anytime soon - he is a liability in the line, going forward he has more potential in attack but is no Ali in his prime.

Cross was a very average NRL player that provides no more than the likes of Ambler.

I am all for overseas players but they have to be top notch - Leeds have one that fits that bill - Buderus. The rest offer a little/no more than than the youngsters we have.

I would argue that when we signed Webb and Ali, they also fit the bill. Webb possibly still does

Also, I think Hauraki's game fits superbly into the "you score 48 points we'll score 52" philosophy that the club is currently playing by

They are here to add depth to the squad and competition for places and the powers that be decided they would "add something".
Hauraki isn't the only one who's struggled at times with defence and look at the improvement Burgess has made surely any player can improve in a better enviroment/squad.
As for Delaney he did the centre job most expected re-read my 1st post he was never signed in the Senior mould or as a world-beater and we obviously did'nt have the depth to promote from within as the clubs record of blooding youngsters stands against anyones in this league.
As for improvement all players are capable of improvement look at the early threads re-Hall and the way signings like Poching and Furner were dismissed as past it and never will be's.
Your views are clear and fair enough but still no reason to dismiss new signings 9 games into a season when they've done no worse than established 1st teamers.