Erm, not sure really. Strange one Solomona isn't he, whether it's him or not, it's that sort of individual that I think we now need. We've got the grafters, but just lack that backrower who can do something a bit special with an offload or a show'n'go etc. The only reason I'd say i'm not sure on him is because he's had a couple of nasty injuries in the past couple of years, add that to his age, you'd be a little worried I think.

Agree completely with your post though, exactly how I see it.

Hock?

3 more years for sure.......

This may sound a bit of a generalisation but, for every good thing he does, he seems to do something really dumb.

PS

I hate generalisations.

I think he probably does 3 good things for every bad one, but yes I know. How old is he?

26/27? Thinking on, I'm not sure his lifestlye suits that of a Smith type signing.

Bit older than I thought. Think Sam Burgess looks like he needs a change.

Definitely. As explosive as Rauhihi, but added endurance. Not the first time we have had a nibble at Burgess either.

Problem with Hock for me is that his work rate is very low. Comparable to Solomona's, and fo me as a 2nd rower that doesn't seem right. His average tackles per match for 2008 was really low, and his average carries was pretty average too.

His errors per carry stat is poor. He made a similar number of errors to Westwood, despite carrying the ball half as many times as him.

Looking at some stats from 2008, based on the 2nd rowers from the top 8, he was by far the most error prone player. He made an error every 9.6 carries, whereas the average for these players was 17.6. When you consider the fact that he doesn't at least make up for this with hard graft in the defensive department, then I don't think he is worth the risk.

We have had a good spell under Cullen where we played a risky style with plenty of mistakes, I am starting to feel more comfortable with more calculated risks, which I am not sure Hock is capable of.

Can't really think of an obvious candidate. I suppose Louis might come good. With Westwood, Harrison, Mitchell you've got a good four there, plus McCarthy seeminlgy almost ready.

I personally think Louis gets unfair stick.

He runs hard, works hard in defence and is happy to get stuck in when it gets physical. It does surprise me that he is so under-rated.

Harrison is getting better, and depending on next year's signings, Johnson could play 2nd row too.

Johnson would give us that bit of explosion/athleticism I think we are currently missing. I am not criticising our current guys, but they are cut from a similiar cloth, grafters. Someone with a bit of footwork and pace would be a welcome addition for mine.

It's a big might. Hopefully he can develop into a good asset under the guidance of Smith, depends what his brother does. As i feel they are most likely to jump ship at the end of the season.

But we could do with something abit creative from the backrow, we have the donkey workers (Westwood,Harrison,Mitchell) saying that Westwood and Harrison are partial to the odd offload. I dunno just something different with good hands, Sinfield would be most ideal.

Would be about 7th choice prop at Saints etc A reserve Grader week in week out. Was good about 4 seasons ago, still does a decent job in a mediocre dire side.

I don't think you can really say that.