Ali too of course.

Would agree with that.

Also think we need a quality front-line hooker. We wouldn't have won the GF without one, we wouldn't have beaten Wire without one, and we might not even have made the playoffs without one. Having Buderus come to form masked a lot of inadequacies in our set-up. In terms of freeing up squad space, we have no idea how good Hood is or isn't at senior level, and sending him on loan to a Broncos/HKR level side would do him or us no harm at all.

If you send Hood out on loan to another SL side, you're an injury to McShane away from Burrow playing the full 80 at hooker.

Would make more sense to dual reg him with a Championship side so he can be recalled if needed.

Lots of inconsequential changes to squad numbers - should keep the tills in the shop ringing as fans update their shirts for 2012.

I was suggesting signing another hooker and sending Hood on loan, not leaving us short. With the previous interest in L'Estrange and the (unfulfilled) requirement that Newcastle source us a replacement for Buderus, this may well have been the original plan, but nobody of sufficient quality has been found available.

Could you not create the same effect with a clause in his loan agreement?

I agree that we need to make sure we've still got him available if needed, but I'd rather have him out somewhere playing senior rugby while he waits for his chance than playing in the youth sides. I certainly think he'd be better prepared when we need him that way.

The biggest concern for me would be the hooking position - I know some say I have overblown Buderus' influence but McShane is no Buderus especially defensively. Hood has some serious skills that would be better off being used by the Rhinos rather than Featherstone.

hopefully weller will be that player really hope now he is settled in the club he can kick on and be a line breaker.

I don't think its overestimating Buderus to say that McShane has some big boots to fill. Now is the time to show faith in him. hes been around the squad 3 years now, and the club must have had faith in him to keep him around.

Realistically, a Buderus doesn't come along that often, and succession planning, of necessity, is not just about finding a like-for-like replacement. THe key is to get the squad working. Buderus' departure will leave a gap in defensive effort I would expect, and that might mean more workload for more than one other player.

I imagine the likes of Ablett (hopefully now in 2nd Row), Bailey & Kirke will be used to pick up some more of the slack. JP, JJB, Clarkson all pull more than their own weight already.

That sounds wrong. Ablett moving from Centre should add a lot more tackling ability. Increased game time for Bailey & Kirke, is another way to improve this. We should look to increase the spread of work across our 17, not just lump more work onto those who already do enough

Ryan Hall did get one in 2007, i know because i've seen it. although he doesn't count it because he was 18th man, but he still has four winners rings

you've seen his ring?

For the first game (injury depending) would go like this
1 Webb
2 Jones Bishop
3 Watkins
4 Hardaker
5 Hall
13 Sinfield
6 McGuire
16 Bailey
9 McShane
10 Peacock
11 Jones Buchaanan
15 Delaney
12 Ablett
Subs:
20 Griffin
8 Leuluai
7 Burrow
18 Clarkson/19 Hauraki

with 21 Moore and 18 Clarkson/19 Hauraki being 18th and 19th man