His knee was still bad, he could hardly run in that first season. His second season he was the best 6 in the world.

Yup was an amazing transformation, I was gutted when he left. Hooper is probably the closest we have come to a like for like replacement for him.

That try when he tore the pies apart and slipped that pass out to cooper.

Ropati was the best 6 I've seen at saints in that one season. He's was so strong upper body. I actually modelled myself on his style if play as a youngster.

He could play there if needed, but I don't see Turner as a stand-off personally. I just don't agree with going into the season with one real kicking option, and I don't want to see us force Lomax or Wilkin into taking on that extra responsibility. That's the big thing IMO.

Either way, I'm yet to hear anything to suggest that our back line will be different to what most expect/expected.

I'm still mystified about this after reading through the thread. Btw, the comparison to Leon Pryce is completely fanciful atm!

Btw, I was at the Batley game last week and Lee Briers was there watching us. Is he on the first team coaching staff at the wolfs now? Is Brown just trying to make them lot guess for that first game?

Anyway, it's nice to have something (FINALLY) to debate properly!

I have been reading the comments on the last 8 pages.

I think this would/could be a stroke of genius be Mr.Brown. Think about the balance of the team, in particular the backs:-

1. Lomax
2. Makinson
3. Percival
4. Jones
5. Swift
6. Turner
7. Walsh

(Use Hiho as utility bench player)

Young with pace and power, plus our new forwards makes me feel very optimistic for the New Season. We have strengthened everyone else is either the same or weaker.

Come on you Saints for 2014.

I`m looking forward to attending the Auckland 9s Mid Feb, has that had much advertising in the UK or is it even televised?

Joking aside, I thought Wheeler was going to be staking his claim to 6 this year. He seems to be on the outer in this plan. That is a shame for him, as I've heard so many good things about his talent for so long, but have never seen him play enough games to form a view on him.

I don't think anyone doubts his talents, but even me as an eternal optimist is losing faith in the ability of his body to take it.
I hope (I've said this for about 4 yrs) that he proves us all wrong and has a wow of a season , injury free!

I would think the plan is being formed as such, because his injury record is against him. If he manages to play a lot more games this year, I'm sure we'll see him at 6 at some point.

Hardaker
Hall
Moon
Jones-Bishop
Briscoe

Just to put it into perspective. Leeds are a team most people seem to think we're going to be better than. Their backline seems better than ours however. Two genuine international wingers and far better centres (Moon is the best centre in Super League). There is only really Lomax where we can hold a candle to Leeds and it's not like Hardaker is a bad player.

More comments from Brown here: saintsrlfc.com/news/256 Jones due to play right centre.

More comments from Brown here: saintsrlfc.com/news/256 Jones due to play right centre.

You've missed out Watkins who is potentially the best of the lot. Lomax is your only outside back with any proven quality and he's not been in his position for long at all.

I agree up to a point. I think I'd compare Swift or Makinson reasonably with Briscoe, who I've always seen as competent and solid, rather than a match-winner. But apart from that, I agree that Leeds are stronger in the centres and on Hall's wing.

However I do think our pack is now stronger - on paper - than the Leeds pack, and that should compensate by giving their lads less space to work in.

And who knows, maybe Percival will step out on to the field having shot up to 6'2 and filled out to 15 stone.

So you don't think Swift proved his qualities last year? He did enough to have Cronulla sniffing around.