Got two conflicting Fitzgibbon stories last night….one saying he’s good to go and one saying he’s definitely retiring???

Well that narrows it down

Don't believe the retirement rumours at all, just seems to be fan rumours with nothing solid at all backing it up.
Dan Russell i know nothing about, but if Burgess see's something in him i'll trust that. He's a big guy, 6'4 and 16st so should add some punch, but no idea on his skill level?
Burgess has made FAR more good decisions than bad ones so will let time answer the question on him.

I faintly remember Russell from the World Cup, he was the only ginger in the PNG line up in the game at the HJ. Like Tai, I think he will be cheap and I hope he doesn't become the scapegoat in the same way Rodrick has.

It happens every year one or two of our "fans" just love to pick out a few players & love to dish out the dirt. Local lads are exempt for a couple of years. Probably makes 'em feel better. It is the sad bit of the forum. It is Drinkwater & Tai at the moment but the next cab on the rank can be seen in the distance.

The club must have seen something in Russell that could work in SL - I'm happy to trust Burgess and team on that, we are lacking some size in the back row. I suppose it's similar to taking a punt on someone from the Championship. As others have said, as long as he doesn't take up much space on the cap and, more importantly for me, doesn't take up a quota space I'll be interested to see how he goes.

I'll bite. So discussing a players weakness with the ball in a crucial attacking position with a view to improving the side is "dishing the dirt"? Same as calling out a players weak defence that cost us a semi final?

Afraid I don’t agree Smiffy. Tai has a fundamental weakness when it comes to Centre play. He can’t put his winger away. Opposition know he will not pass until his position is hopeless which makes him very easy to defend against and must be extremely frustrating for his winger. I hope he can improve as he seems very likeable, but I think Lindop and Wrench are more natural centres .

You can't say that with Ofcom Smiffy in attendance, you "fan" you.

I can spot weaknesses too. I am absolutely certain that our coaching staff can see 'em. Lindop looks as if he will make a superb all round centre but maybe not ready yet & Wrench is unavailable at present & still has much to prove. I'd guess that the current view is that Lindop might struggle with the physical side of a semi-final game at present. Lindop is the future & it might be as soon as the start of next year. Despite his obvious weakness I would have picked Tai vs. HKR.

I'd say out of the 3 lindop looks the best option, wrench has footwork and pace but gets injured a lot and can't seem to defend.

Roddy doesn't have a proper rl apprenticeship, he's got power, can defend,

Lindop looks like he's got the best collection of all attributes, wrench's window might have come and gone

Wrench hasn’t had much luck to be fair, but I agree, Lindop with a full pre season has a good chance.

My point was more that the weakness is so obvious it hardly counts as scapegoating to point it out.

No doubt that Lindop is the future, it's just a case of whether he replaces King on the left or Tai on the right.

Wrench has shown his attacking class both from a solo point of view, and also his ability to put his winger away. The only question for me with Wrench is defensive positioning and decision-making. And of course his unfortunate injury record.

Tai is great in defence though.

I seem to remember two gingers in that PNG squad for the World Cup. Maybe that was down to what I was drinking at the time.

Not forgetting Lesley Bruines I would say we seem to have too many centres atm. Wrench and Lindop need to play next year to 1) 2 gain the experience and 2) show that they can step up another level. it's no use picking Tai and King every week, we can already guess what is likely to happen in the first 5-6 games - the coach will stick with the same players. So barring injuries we are likely to have 3 centres kicking their heels.

So let's move on to Drinkwater. Who of course get's slated (by those who love to throw crap for some sad reason) for not being able to stop second rows five yards out. Well to be honest not many scrum halves can. Wigan have 3 backs who might be even weaker than him in the tackle. What a great surprise that our scrum half is pretty average at stopping big lads five yards out. Who else could have been picked?

Why should we move on to Drinkwater on the Recruitment and Rumours thread?

Good point. Perhaps I should have started it with "One year deal for much loved player".

I thought the player in question was leaving us at the end of this season (now) or has he signed a one year deal?

Sorry Rico ... I just made that up. But it would allow me to post on this thread.

You saved me the post. Wesley Bruines was Burgess first signing, with the ACL, so he obviously has plans for him.

Is that Wes's sister? Is she any good, and more importantly would she have got that pass away to Thewlis in the semi?

I think the X-Y chromosome Bruines version only had a one year contract (club option to extend a year?) so not sure if he is in Burgess' plans.

Burgess himself said the 2nd try was soft. Sam Tomkins called out the poor tackle technique of the first. I trust their opinion over yours.

Why are you unable to accept that some people have different views from your own? A good number of people think our scrum half is pretty average at a lot of areas. He couldnt keep Hayes out of the side ffs. But you keep on thinking they are all superstars and then suprised when we fail to win the prize again.

When you play or coach you tend not to criticise but encourage ... even the worst players. I would not appreciate some of your comments if I was currently playing.
I liked Hayes BTW.
I trust Burgess & Sam over my opinion too. Burgess would have stopped the try but Tomkins ...no chance. 90% of half backs would not stop the tries. You have never tried to stop a big forward five yards out. But why do you slate individuals???