Depends how he’s been asked to play-
A few of the things I’d say are very good about Lawrence. Hardworking in defence, misses few tackles, rarely makes errors, rarely gives away penalties, rarely turned on his back in the tackle enabling a quick play the ball.

totally different side when we had smith and ikahihifo propping too and obrien on the pitch!

think we all know lawrences plus points by now!

But I don’t think many of our fans do- I don’t think they recognise that winning the tackle and getting a quick ptb can be worth more than a player using up energy making an extra one or two metres after contact. You can make those metres up in the next play by a quick ptb - and have conserved energy.

I do get Lawrences strengths but I still don't think he is good enough at either prop or 2nd row for a team wanting to make the top 4. Hes an extremely valuable team player as are Clough, Murphy and even Rankin could fall into this bracket. However, these are the "dependables" we do need in the squad but also need to improve on them in regards to our starting 17 if we are to make it back into the top 4.

I agree with that, It all depends what the club aspires too though.

I’d like to bet Lawrence will be on less money than clough and Rankin.
I’d say therefore he’s better value for money to the club than those players.
Id also rather have a dependable local lad in our squad than any other similar.

So if the Hastings and Uate deals come off.......what the consensus on the next position we need to strengthen next?

With Symonds gone, Wakeman and Mamo certain to leave and potentially Hinchliffe too we could still have room for another 2 signings.

I do think we still need to offload some current players such as Roche and potentially Walne also.

We need two players for the pack.
Whether that is two props Or a prop and second row is a moot point.

But we need two players one who is aggressive and a pack leader like peacock or Hill and maybe a second row who can run out wide.

Agree completely. Halfback with a kicking game, and distribution was number one to replace Brough in max one years time. Hastings from his highlights is exactly that, lots of try assists and pinpoint kicks. He's not a longterm solution though i would assume, although you never know once he gets over here! Number two priority is a good prop with some real aggression and go forward, big unit would help too.

I wonder when it will be announced?

It’s hardly a secret - it’s been on the official NRL website!

didnt say where he was going though.

prob announce is when we announce season tickets for 2019

what benefit are the club going to get from announcing it now? may aswell leave some things for the marketing for next season but we know how rubbish at that they are... at least england know what they are doing using mcgillvary to promote the new england shirt... something we could have done last season on the back of the huge world cup he just had but no...not a clue how to use our main asset mcgillavary

From the NRL website:

“Sea Eagles veteran Akuila Uate will take up a lucrative three-year deal with Super League outfit Huddersfield in 2019, ending a decade-long career as one of the NRL's most entertaining flyers.”

It’s all over the Aussie media.

To avoid looking like chumps?

We need to ensure we are still in SL next season before we make any announcements!