Laffranchi is in talks for a new contract beyond next season? Is he worth another contract so early or would you see how he goes next year? www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/20716844

Laffranchi is in talks for a new contract beyond next season? Is he worth another contract so early or would you see how he goes next year? www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/20716844

Yes. Please!

Definitely. We won't be getting players of his pedigree over from Aus for the foreseeable future, so if he's happy to stay we should get him signed up.

I'm not a massive fan of him but put him ahead of perry.

Still, I suppose we need to get used to the idea that with the apparent forthcoming salary explosion in the NRL we are now back in the realm of "second rate aussies" again and that they still appear to be as good as than any home grown talent we can develop and/or hire (and keep).
Our best bets seem to NZ (e.g. Soliola not lance!) or SSI's like Willie Manu.

I don't see how you can class Laffranchi as a second rate player.

I think Laffranchi had a ok first season. I'm not so sure he's a top rate prop and struggled against the likes of Wigan and Warrington who have big aggressive forwards.

I'd like to see how he goes this year and maybe talk about new contract around June/July. That way we can see if he's worthy of a new deal.

I'd also like to see what else is a available as we could do with two real props to replace perry and Laffranchi.

If he shows up now until July then I'd give him new deal.

I'd sign him up now...he has a fantastic work rate and makes a lot of yards going forward. Was told by a mate in Oz when we signed him that I wouldnt be disappointed and I think he was one of our top 3 players in 2012. Sign him up and get rid of Perry and I would be happy

I'd like to see him used in the back row. Then I think we'd really get the best out of him. But even at prop he's worth a contract IMO. As you say, he doesn't make a massive impact against the best packs, but on the whole he's steady, experienced and is a leader.

Rumours currently circulating suggest that the challenge being raised by players over wages in Aus could see the NRL salary cap rise to $7m, with a minimum wage increase of 40%. If that happens we're not going to get anyone, of any standard, to up sticks and come over from the NRL. I don't see too many SL props of Boof's standard knocking about, and given that we're already going to have to find one to replace Perry, we'd need to find two if we let Laffranchi go. If he wants to stay let's get him signed up.

Could have had Mason and Sidlow for his money plus freeing a quota spot.

In those terms not good value.

That said they have gone , there are a lots of other exits at the end of 2013 and the reserves
keep tuning out Mike Bennett clones with a lack of physique.

Under these circumstances then a 1 year extension looks pragmatic

A great player - getting him to extend his contract in the current climate would be a fantastic move.

We could release TP, Meli and Sia and sign up me and half a dozen random strangers off the street too to save even more money and quota spaces and increase the depth of the squad.

Well, you started the silly suggestions, not me...

Whilst Northampton is using his well known tact, I can see the point. There is very little point in having a free quota spot if there is little chance of filling it with quality.

Sidlow? Meh!

Mason whilst I'd have him as an additional prop, I would not say he was ripping it up last year enough to consider replacing Laffranchi. Also we have to remember we are talking contract extention, so actually we could not have signed anyone to replace him as he has a full year left anyway. If he gets an extention, you have to balance that against who we could get at the end of 2013 not 2012.

I still consider him to be a second rower and I think he would be brilliant in his natural position, but considering that Brown played Gilly at prop and the fact we've got several back rowers I can't see him being played there.

Certainly not the type we should be releasing if we can help it.

I would have been happy with Mason as a replacement for Perry, but we can't replace players who are under contract.

Adam Sidlow, from what I've seen, is bottom 4 SL club fodder.

Who knows ... maybe Perry will pull his finger out this year.

Whilst i accept the criticism that Laffranchi has look too small to prop against some of the top sides that have come after losses, in the games against the same oppo that we won, he always looked handy.
I do think that his best role would be as the big 13, meaning he'd have 2 starting props to support him.
If Walmsley develops and/or if Brown whips Perry into a consistant performer, then that is a realistic destination for him.