Genuinely interested, would you play Bentley ahead of McDonnell? I imagine unless Clueso is right, we sign a new centre (or Nene returns from walkabout), and Martin takes one back row spot. Or Gannon?

I'd have been much happier keeping Martin, McDonnell, Gannon, Donaldson, and possibly one or two academy lads next off the line, and freeing up more salary cap where we need it most, i.e. 7 and probably for me another proper prop. Having five first grade props makes far more sense than 5 second rowers to me - most games you use 4 props.

Sorry, of course I am forgetting Goudemand as well here, who also might get in the second row ahead of Bentley and isn't a real prop....

I think you’re forgetting that it’s a squad game, and it’s rare that you have every player available. Injuries and squad rotation mean you need more than the two second towers who start.

I’d be more skeptical of us signing another centre. I wouldn’t be surprised if Martin would just play there full time.

My issue with McDonnell, Gannon, Bentley, Donaldson is that they are all basically variations on the same skill set. Work hard, tackle well, reliable but not going to change the game. Having said that, maybe that is the plan. Trouble is, Nene has probably been our biggest line break threat, followed by Walters (leaving), Austin (gone), Newman (injuries). We don’t play a line breaking 9, and of the current signed up halves none are going to be line breakers either. I’m hopeful for Millar, and hope Fusitua can get some games together.

I made the point yesterday about the need for a hard running/ hitting prop and not playing one of our small backrowers there.

Martin,McDonnell,
Bentley,Gannon, Donaldson and Goudemand is too many. I would have dropped Donaldson or not signed or Goudemand when SR is stacked but HB is empty and short on props with tet abd Walters leaving

Gamnon has the build and the ability to be much more than that. Think he’s been a little bit forgotten this year but he has the potential to be an exceptional player.

Ok so where do you fit Bentley in?

I’d probs my go: Martin, McDonnell, Goudemand, Gannon, Bentley, Donaldson.

I’m not forgetting it’s a squad game at all, I’m pointing out we have 6 second rowers for 2/3 places in the 17 and 4 props for 4 places in the 17. 4 decent second rowers should be enough plus academy lads if you get an injury crisis.

Unless Martin is going to play centre.

Gannon is still very young (especially for a forward) and has had more than his share of knocks this year. Having the ability to rotate him will be valuable, tho we do seem well stocked in the back row I agree.

I also understand the need for a bit more punch there. I know he’s been out of position this year but I do think Martin offers that when in the back row. He has a nice offload too.

Neither are props though and neither gives us what we need from a prop.

Going into next season with only Holroyd, Oledski (out of form), Lisone (bang in form), Sangare (injury cloud) for heavy artillery is crazy, especially when we have just lost one of the best young forwards in the country to a major rival. You are very likely to have at least one of your big bodies injured at a given time with the punishment they take, and as soon as you drop someone like Donaldson in there you lose punch immediately. We are struggling to make yardage and maintain pressure on the opposition down the middle.

I just don't understand the loading in the second row at Leeds. Maybe they feel one or two lads in the academy will progress but at prop I'm not sure who. And while Martin is decent cover at centre, his best position is as a fairly rapid back rower rather than a fairly slow outside back.

Agreed. I'm sure Smith has mentioned last offseason he wanted to increase the sizer of the team, our backrow recruitment says otherwise..

Smith Did increase the size of the team last off season with Lisone and Sangare.

I think we'll see another prop come in before next year

Yep, he's on the record as being a fan of big middles. Think he likes his second rows to be more workman like.

Oh what we'd give for another Ali Lauatiti...

It's OK having work men backrowers if you have a smart hooker to pinch metres when markers aren't square and powerful props/ centres.
Atm we don't, therein lies the problem