FORUMS FORUMS






RLFANS.COM
Celebrating
25 years service to
the Rugby League
Community!
  
FORUMS > St. Helens > Au reviour Leon - Where do we go from here?
86 posts in 7 pages 
<<   PREV  NEXT   >>
Subscribe | Moderators: Admin, Billinge_Lump , Saint Simon , BackrowSaint
RankPostsTeam
Club Owner29212No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jul 200321 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Oct 2024Sep 2024LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
6310_1310045241.jpg
:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_6310.jpg



Losing Leon is a massive blow to our chances in the next couple of seasons. It isn't a surprise either, this rumour was first brought up around the start of the season, so the club cannot claim they didn't know this was happening. Which worries me greatly as they may have already spent his salary and we may not get a back to replace Leon (Wishful thinking anyway probably).

In taking stock of our recruitment, it is another year (To add to the previous 5 or 6) where you look at it and wince. We are losing 3 of our best 4 players from a side already incapable of keeping pace with the top 2.

We are replacing them with two players who are going to be playing out of position. Laffranchi is no prop and Hohaia is rarely played at half back in the NRL as he's not good enough for it. His has been a disaster in the NRL by all accounts this season.

Losing Leon also adds to the fear that we'll be stuck with Wello at fullback for another 12 months. This is criminal and is going to be very hard to watch.

Now do we go:

1 - Wellens
6 - Lomax
7 - Hohaia (Ouch)

or

1 - Hohaia (Drop ball-tastic)
6 - Gaskell
7 - Lomax

or

1 - Lomax
6 - Gaskell
7 - Hohaia?

Either way, it's not the big bang introduction to the new stadium we expected is it?

RankPostsTeam
International Chairman4958No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Apr 200223 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Jun 2022May 2022LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
1649_1338292262.jpg
I have followed the LONDON CLUB since I was in my teensl even though born in St Helens and still live nearby and went to the first game at Fulham, also Big West Ham Supporter:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_1649.jpg



Was it the three year contract?

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach5695No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jan 200718 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
May 2012May 2012LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
31227_1305309995.jpg
:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_31227.jpg



I think we'll go with 1. Wellens, 6. Lomax and 7. Hohaia. It's not ideal as Hohaia's had an awful season, but I can't see us not playing him considering he's taking up a quota spot. Keeping Pryce, aside from him being a quality player, would have given us more depth and another option in the halves/at fullback. icon_neutral.gif

RankPostsTeam
Club Owner29212No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jul 200321 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Oct 2024Sep 2024LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
6310_1310045241.jpg
:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_6310.jpg



Quote: jaybs "Was it the three year contract?'"


I don't know. But as mentioned we've given Hohaia a four year deal and he's only a year younger than Leon, so we can't use that as an excuse.

It may not be the club's fault, he may have had his heart set on a change of lifestyle for a while, we don't know.

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach16170No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jul 200816 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Feb 2016Oct 2015LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
40218_1286737075.jpg
Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. (Winston Churchill):d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_40218.jpg



Quote: jaybs "Was it the three year contract?'"

Apparently yes. Apparently Saints were offering two years but he wanted three. If this is a true story, I am happy Saints stuck to two years as he is not worth three.

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach16170No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jul 200816 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Feb 2016Oct 2015LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
40218_1286737075.jpg
Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. (Winston Churchill):d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_40218.jpg



Quote: Saddened! "I don't know. But as mentioned we've given Hohaia a four year deal and he's only a year younger than Leon, so we can't use that as an excuse.
'"

Hohaia is a very good utility player as well as being recruited to seven. It means he can be used elsewhere not only to cover injuries but also to enable our young talent to play.

RankPostsTeam
Club Owner29212No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jul 200321 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Oct 2024Sep 2024LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
6310_1310045241.jpg
:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_6310.jpg



Quote: SaintsFan "Hohaia is a very good utility player as well as being recruited to seven. It means he can be used elsewhere not only to cover injuries but also to enable our young talent to play.'"


He's utter rubbish in the NRL. He'll be on a big contract and four years is a joke. He already looks a yard slower than he did a couple of years ago and is starting to add timber to his frame. It's a suspect signing.

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach16170No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jul 200816 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Feb 2016Oct 2015LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
40218_1286737075.jpg
Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. (Winston Churchill):d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_40218.jpg



Quote: Saddened! "He's utter rubbish in the NRL. He'll be on a big contract and four years is a joke. He already looks a yard slower than he did a couple of years ago and is starting to add timber to his frame. It's a suspect signing.'"

Oh don't be so daft.

He's a speedster off the mark, is Hohaia. You must have been watching his twin in another dimension.

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach7498
JoinedServiceReputation
May 200519 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Nov 2023Feb 2018LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
15174_1377541021.gif
:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_15174.gif



in short backwards.

Hiho is a fullback not a halfback. Gaskell and Lomax are very promising but need time and an experienced partner to progress. Wellens is past his best now and wont be getting much faster next year.

Losing Pryce = very bad for Saints ... unless we bring in some much needed EXPERIENCED quality.

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach7498
JoinedServiceReputation
May 200519 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Nov 2023Feb 2018LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
15174_1377541021.gif
:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_15174.gif



Quote: SaintsFan "Apparently yes. Apparently Saints were offering two years but he wanted three. If this is a true story, I am happy Saints stuck to two years as he is not worth three.'"



But giving hiho a 4 year deal was good?

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach12189No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jun 200717 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Jun 2017May 2017LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
34133_1401485799.png
:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_34133.png



With Leon, jammer and Kyle gone we simply must be way under the cap next year unless we have been reckless with our new signings wages. That said we will still be comfortably top 4 IMO

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach16170No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jul 200816 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Feb 2016Oct 2015LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
40218_1286737075.jpg
Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. (Winston Churchill):d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_40218.jpg



Quote: No1 Saint "But giving hiho a 4 year deal was good?'"

We won't know that until he settles in here I guess.

Some people on here I think were saying that Hohaia looked like a panic buy at one stage. That's kind of not looking the case now I guess!

We'll be fine. It's always better having players at the club who want to be at the club. Leon didn't want to be here so he is better gone.

RankPostsTeam
Club Coach743
JoinedServiceReputation
Mar 200520 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Oct 2022May 2018LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
14031_1446383211.jpg
:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_14031.jpg



Quote: No1 Saint "in short backwards.

Hiho is a fullback not a halfback. Gaskell and Lomax are very promising but need time and an experienced partner to progress. Wellens is past his best now and wont be getting much faster next year.

Losing Pryce

Correct on all counts. I can't believe some of the utter crap I read on here by people who think we are playing fantasy rugby and that 'anything goes' and 'we'll be fine' We maight be bloody fine but we ain't gonna win anything. We need recognised specialists in their strongest positions. Laffranchi ain't a prop - we need a prop. Hohaia ain't a half back and boy do we need a half back. Before anyone flames me they are both good players but not what we need right now.

I am more excited by the Flanagan signing than any of the others and that tells you something.

More than anything we need an on field leader in a key position - we ain't got one.

And we need a top coach if we are gonna be competitive.

We are back to buying and being second rate and trying to dress it up that it is ok. It's not.

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach7498
JoinedServiceReputation
May 200519 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Nov 2023Feb 2018LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
15174_1377541021.gif
:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_15174.gif



Quote: Rughead "I think we'll go with 1. Wellens, 6. Lomax and 7. Hohaia. It's not ideal as Hohaia's had an awful season, but I can't see us not playing him considering he's taking up a quota spot. Keeping Pryce, aside from him being a quality player, would have given us more depth and another option in the halves/at fullback. Thing is hiho isn't a halfback he just fancies playing there. I always fancied playing scrumhalf but that doesn't mean it would be a good idea ... For context I ended up as a prop icon_wink.gif

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach16170No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jul 200816 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Feb 2016Oct 2015LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
40218_1286737075.jpg
Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. (Winston Churchill):d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_40218.jpg



Quote: Allez "Correct on all counts. I can't believe some of the utter crap I read on here by people who think we are playing fantasy rugby and that 'anything goes' and 'we'll be fine' We maight be bloody fine but we ain't gonna win anything. We need recognised specialists in their strongest positions. Laffranchi ain't a prop - we need a prop. Hohaia ain't a half back and boy do we need a half back. Before anyone flames me they are both good players but not what we need right now.

I am more excited by the Flanagan signing than any of the others and that tells you something.

More than anything we need an on field leader in a key position - we ain't got one.

And we need a top coach if we are gonna be competitive.

We are back to buying and being second rate and trying to dress it up that it is ok. It's not.'"

Blimey.

OTT response or what!

It's not like Leon going was a bolt out of the blue. Saints have prepared for the eventuality by recruiting Hohaia and by putting faith in Gaskell and Lomax and Wheeler. Gaskell and Lomax will be that much better next season with the experience of this season behind them, and Simmons has worked with Hohaia down under so knows what the lad will bring to us.

I think Saints have approached this very well. They can't force a player to stay and so they have recruited and planned to take account of key positions becoming vacant. There is nothing to indicate that we will be worse next season than this. What will make a difference IMO is whether our backroom staff plus the players themselves can retain their fitness.

86 posts in 7 pages 
<<   PREV  NEXT   >>
Subscribe | Moderators: Admin, Billinge_Lump , Saint Simon , BackrowSaint
86 posts in 7 pages 
<<   PREV  NEXT   >>
Subscribe | Moderators: Admin, Billinge_Lump , Saint Simon , BackrowSaint



All views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the RLFANS.COM or its subsites.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure that news stories, articles and images are correct, we cannot be held responsible for errors. However, if you feel any material on this website is copyrighted or incorrect in any way please contact us using the link at the top of the page so we can remove it or negotiate copyright permission.

RLFANS.COM, the owners of this website, is not responsible for the content of its sub-sites or posts, please email the author of this sub-site or post if you feel you find an article offensive or of a choice nature that you disagree with.

Copyright 1999 - 2024 RLFANS.COM

You must be 18+ to gamble, for more information and for help with gambling issues see https://www.begambleaware.org/.



Please Support RLFANS.COM


3.919921875:5
RLFANS Recent Posts
FORUM
LAST
POST
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
10m
Film game
karetaker
4965
17m
England Vs Samoa Test Series
ArthurClues
71
46m
IMG Score
Bent&Bon
59
Recent
Its all gone a bit quiet
Benny Profan
3
Recent
DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings
Hessle Roade
3635
Recent
Recruitment rumours and links
karetaker
3484
Recent
Pre Season - 2025
The games af
40
Recent
New Kit
MorePlaymake
57
Recent
England vs Samoa
NickyKiss
88
FORUM
LAST
VIEW
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
1m
New Kit
MorePlaymake
57
1m
IMG Score
Bent&Bon
59
1m
England vs Samoa
NickyKiss
88
2m
Game - Song Titles
Boss Hog
40438
2m
2025 Shirt
MR FRISK
10
3m
McMeekan
Trojan Horse
13
3m
England v Samoa
Captain Hook
33
7m
Film game
karetaker
4965
9m
2025 Recruitment
Highlander
155
18m
2024/25 out of season mind occupier 2
Boss Hog
9
FORUM
NEW
TOPICS
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
TODAY
Its all gone a bit quiet
Benny Profan
3
TODAY
England Beat Samoa To Take Test Series
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
McMeekan
Trojan Horse
13
TODAY
Englands Women Demolish The Welsh
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
Lee Kershaw
Big lads mat
9
TODAY
2025 Shirt
MR FRISK
10
TODAY
Home Shirt 2025
MattyB
1
TODAY
Uele contract extension
Khlav Kalash
5
TODAY
Squad for Match 2 v Samoa
rubber ducki
6
TODAY
2024/25 out of season mind occupier 2
Boss Hog
9
TODAY
Sky tv deals
ninearches
6
TODAY
2024/25 out of season mind occupier 1
Lord Tony Sm
24
TODAY
New Kit
MorePlaymake
57
TODAY
Memorable Games
Rugby Raider
6
TODAY
Hybrid rugby
moto748
11
TODAY
Pre Season - 2025
The games af
40
TODAY
England v Australia
karetaker
24
TODAY
The Aussies are coming
Bullseye
17
TODAY
England Beat Samoa Comfortably In First Test
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
England v Samoa
Captain Hook
33
TODAY
England vs Samoa
NickyKiss
88
TODAY
Trinity back on super league forum
RoyBoy29
4
TODAY
IN 2025 Maika Sivo - Expires 2028
batleyrhino
36
TODAY
Danny McGuire new head coach
Huddersfield
1
TODAY
What happens now
Start@1873
3
TODAY
Liam Kay
Wollo-Wollo-
53
TODAY
Coach announced
The Dors
14
NEWS ITEMS
VIEWS
England Beat Samoa To Take Tes..
260
England's Women Demolish The W..
245
England Beat Samoa Comfortably..
636
Operational Rules Tribunal –..
487
IMG-RFL club gradings released..
630
Wakefield Trinity Win Champion..
1262
Hunslet Secure Promotion After..
1482
Trinity Into Play Off Final Af..
1757
Wigan Warriors Crowned Champio..
1332
York Valkyrie Win Back to Back..
1606
Hunslet Book Relegation Play O..
1958
Penrith Panthers Secure Fourth..
1539
Wigan Humiliate Leigh For Gran..
1632
Hull KR Survive Warrington Fig..
1743
Warrington Wolves Break Saints..
1965
POSTSONLINEREGISTRATIONSRECORD
19.64M 1,411 ↑1780,15414,103
LOGIN HERE
or REGISTER for more features!.

When you register you get access to the live match scores, live match chat and you can post in the discussions on the forums.
RLFANS Match Centre
There are currently no matches to display.
Matches on TV
Sat 2nd Nov
MINT2024 3 England M34-16Samoa M
WINT2024 2 ENGLAND W82-0WALES W
Sun 27th Oct
MINT2024 2 England M34-18Samoa M
This is an inplay table and live positions can change.
Mens Betfred Super League XXVIII ROUND : 1
 PLDFADIFFPTS
Wigan 29 768 338 430 48
Hull KR 29 731 344 387 44
Warrington 29 769 351 418 42
Leigh 29 580 442 138 33
Salford 28 556 561 -5 32
St.Helens 28 618 411 207 30
 
Catalans 27 475 427 48 30
Leeds 27 530 488 42 28
Huddersfield 27 468 658 -190 20
Castleford 27 425 735 -310 15
Hull FC 27 328 894 -566 6
LondonB 27 317 916 -599 6
This is an inplay table and live positions can change.
Betfred Championship 2024 ROUND : 1
 PLDFADIFFPTS
Wakefield 27 1032 275 757 52
Toulouse 26 765 388 377 37
Bradford 28 723 420 303 36
York 29 695 501 194 32
Widnes 27 561 502 59 29
Featherstone 27 634 525 109 28
 
Sheffield 26 626 526 100 28
Doncaster 26 498 619 -121 25
Halifax 26 509 650 -141 22
Batley 26 422 591 -169 22
Swinton 28 484 676 -192 20
Barrow 25 442 720 -278 19
Whitehaven 25 437 826 -389 18
Dewsbury 27 348 879 -531 4
Hunslet 1 6 10 -4 0
RLFANS Recent Posts
FORUM
LAST
POST
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
10m
Film game
karetaker
4965
17m
England Vs Samoa Test Series
ArthurClues
71
46m
IMG Score
Bent&Bon
59
Recent
Its all gone a bit quiet
Benny Profan
3
Recent
DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings
Hessle Roade
3635
Recent
Recruitment rumours and links
karetaker
3484
Recent
Pre Season - 2025
The games af
40
Recent
New Kit
MorePlaymake
57
Recent
England vs Samoa
NickyKiss
88
FORUM
LAST
VIEW
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
1m
New Kit
MorePlaymake
57
1m
IMG Score
Bent&Bon
59
1m
England vs Samoa
NickyKiss
88
2m
Game - Song Titles
Boss Hog
40438
2m
2025 Shirt
MR FRISK
10
3m
McMeekan
Trojan Horse
13
3m
England v Samoa
Captain Hook
33
7m
Film game
karetaker
4965
9m
2025 Recruitment
Highlander
155
18m
2024/25 out of season mind occupier 2
Boss Hog
9
FORUM
NEW
TOPICS
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
TODAY
Its all gone a bit quiet
Benny Profan
3
TODAY
England Beat Samoa To Take Test Series
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
McMeekan
Trojan Horse
13
TODAY
Englands Women Demolish The Welsh
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
Lee Kershaw
Big lads mat
9
TODAY
2025 Shirt
MR FRISK
10
TODAY
Home Shirt 2025
MattyB
1
TODAY
Uele contract extension
Khlav Kalash
5
TODAY
Squad for Match 2 v Samoa
rubber ducki
6
TODAY
2024/25 out of season mind occupier 2
Boss Hog
9
TODAY
Sky tv deals
ninearches
6
TODAY
2024/25 out of season mind occupier 1
Lord Tony Sm
24
TODAY
New Kit
MorePlaymake
57
TODAY
Memorable Games
Rugby Raider
6
TODAY
Hybrid rugby
moto748
11
TODAY
Pre Season - 2025
The games af
40
TODAY
England v Australia
karetaker
24
TODAY
The Aussies are coming
Bullseye
17
TODAY
England Beat Samoa Comfortably In First Test
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
England v Samoa
Captain Hook
33
TODAY
England vs Samoa
NickyKiss
88
TODAY
Trinity back on super league forum
RoyBoy29
4
TODAY
IN 2025 Maika Sivo - Expires 2028
batleyrhino
36
TODAY
Danny McGuire new head coach
Huddersfield
1
TODAY
What happens now
Start@1873
3
TODAY
Liam Kay
Wollo-Wollo-
53
TODAY
Coach announced
The Dors
14
NEWS ITEMS
VIEWS
England Beat Samoa To Take Tes..
260
England's Women Demolish The W..
245
England Beat Samoa Comfortably..
636
Operational Rules Tribunal –..
487
IMG-RFL club gradings released..
630
Wakefield Trinity Win Champion..
1262
Hunslet Secure Promotion After..
1482
Trinity Into Play Off Final Af..
1757
Wigan Warriors Crowned Champio..
1332
York Valkyrie Win Back to Back..
1606
Hunslet Book Relegation Play O..
1958
Penrith Panthers Secure Fourth..
1539
Wigan Humiliate Leigh For Gran..
1632
Hull KR Survive Warrington Fig..
1743
Warrington Wolves Break Saints..
1965


Visit the RLFANS.COM SHOP
for more merchandise!