It's not the kick offs in themselves but the mentality it creates that leads to the dumb rugby, how much of last preseason was pssed away on short cutting gimmicks at the cost of working on the fundamentals which was then detrimental to performances in the season.

Why completely change the normal ebb and flow of a typical game to practice something you're then going to do away with (aside from when you're already 40 points down). No, if that continues it's speaks more to where the team will be lacking mentally when it matters.

I think Olpherts will be very useful this year, IF the online and game day abuse by fans stops. Had a complete loss of confidence last year, not helped by fans imho. How about getting behind him and being supportive? Is a quick, powerful 3/4 and useful. Much more raw ability that Kershaw for example….

well said, get behind the lad.

I attended most of the games last year and I don't recall any game day abuse beyond the despairing groans most fans make on the back of continued clangers. Can't speak for the online stuff as I stay away from it. What I will say is that the answer to all this lies with the player. If he: - A) Attempts to compete for high kicks and doesn't leave for teammates B) Cuts out the lateral running in yardage carries C) Cuts out the litany of dropped ball both in contact and out of it - he'll be a much more popular player. He's been told that the club "want to move in a different direction" at the end of his contract so it's really up to him to put it right this year in terms of looking after his own future. I'm sure there is a better version of Olpherts than we saw last year because there couldn't be a worse one. Not sure of the 2024 vintage on the evidence of Boxing Day - two fairly simple finishes v one appalling pass across the face of his own posts that could have easily cost a try and turned the game in Wakeys favour. He'll get my full support when and if he plays, but it will take a lot for me not to expect an error every other time he touches the ball.

Fusitu’a makes nothing like the number of mistakes that Olpherts does, and rarely when under no pressure. I’d prefer to see the kids play than Olpherts, they would benefit from the game time.

I think most peoples issue with Olpherts is when things went wrong for him last year instead of going forward he started to shy away from the high ball etc.

To compare him to Fusitua is laughable. Fusitua has his issues (namely his injury record) but is solid or more under both the high ball and coming out of yardage.

That's a very lazy comparison, in my opinion. They are poles apart in terms of ability.

Don’t agree with that……

Respectably Shabs, that's BS. If you're putting olpherts anywhere near fusitua on ability you need to give your head a massive shake.

Not just about ability though is it. Look at Fusitua’s game percentage/injury record. Compare salaries. Fusi clearly much more talented, but worth 3x more in terms of productivity to the team?

It is, because ACs post specifically mentioned ability and you said you disagreed.

The thing is, the 2023 version of Olpherts wasn't some less talented but more reliable version of Fusitua. He was bought to deputise for Wing and Centre, and in a year when our first choice options - Fus, Handley, McDonald, Newman - missed 35 games between them, he was selected just 14 times, 3 less than either Newman or Fusitua. The reason for that was simple - the appearances he did make were generally calamitious. I know you listen to a lot of games on the radio (not knocking that) but if you'd taken in those 14 games in full you might have a different assessment of his abilities. BTW - I'm not privy to the details of players wages but I doubt very seriously that Fusitua will be earning 3 times as much as Olpherts.

I'm talking value for money I'm hoping Fusitua can showcase his undoubted talent he signed on big money but can't think of any wow moments/finishes like Makinson or Johnson produce almost weekly.

I’d imagine Fus is on less on his new deal as well.

I think he consistently has finished the few chances we’ve sent his way. There some fault to be laid at our less than stellar attacking structure last year not giving him the opportunity to show off his finishing ability.

Having said that with all the other pieces sorted he should show much more this year, on the assumption he stays fit.