Not sure I watch the same game sometimes. I expected threads bemoaning our halfs, our centres and our general team cohesion, but to lay the blame at the forwards door is just plain wrong. I would say we matched them up front for the first 30, and were on top for the following 50.

Hill. Waterhouse. Westwood. Great. Asotasi is being written off too soon for me, he was 'ok' tonight and has settled quicker than Waterhouse did. He needs to improve, but hoping to god he leaves is a big overreaction in my eyes. He may end up our next Rauhihi, but let's give him more than a few games to prove himself.

So the problems:

Halfs: woeful, Myler seems to get all the stick, but he's the best of a bad bunch for me. He's playing well below standard, but O'Brien was anonymous and Ratchfkrd doesn't seem to know how to fit in. Kicking game is none existent.

Centres: the halfs need players running decent lines, rapidly losing patience with Atkins. Bridge at least shows aggression, but without Hodgson/Briers creating that half an overlap, his ability to slip a quick ball through to Monas (which he is very good at) is seriously diminished.

Team Cohision: no one seems to know what the other is doing. Players left with no passing options and at least two penalties for crossing highlight this.

Smith: he needs to pick his halfs and stick with it. Russel on the bench just seems really odd. It seems he isn't sure who his best 1/6/7 is so is covering all bases. Russell shows plenty of spark when he comes on. But I feel we will need to change our whole style of play to accommodate him. He isn't a Hodgson, he is a good running option and I would guess support player. But he won't offer that link to the three quarters that Hodgson did.

Russell
Ormsby
Evans
Bridge
Monas
Ratch
Myler
Hill
Higham
Asotasi
Westwood
Waterhouse
Grix

Monas
Wood
England
Laithwaite

Is how I would line up for Hudds. They are a big side and we can't afford a full back on the bench for this one. O'Brien has had his shot for now for me and has been the weakest of the three halfs so we should stick with this 1/6/7 for a run of games.

Absolutely no problem, you can have bailey!!.

We are reportedly after Ashton Sims, according to the Zero Tackle Facebook page. He's 29, but hasn't played Origin. I'd prefer his brother Tariq personally, who is more mobile and a bit of an enforcer.

He's another backrower too.
He has played prop but it's like playing Trent there.

Cowboy could be headed for England  

BIG spending English club Warrington is chasing giant Cowboys forward Ashton Sims for next season. 

The Wolves are on the lookout for a front-rower and have targeted Sims, who comes off contract at the end of the season. 

The Cowboys rate Sims but with a couple of State of Origin props in James Tamou and Matt Scott on their books, are unlikely to be able to make a competitive offer to Sims. 

m.perthnow.com.au/sport/nrl/asht ... 6929157789 This link takes a different view.

m.perthnow.com.au/sport/nrl/asht ... 6929157789 This link takes a different view.