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All too predictable.

Last year only one side made fewer line breaks than us. We were crying out for recruitment aimed at bringing in centres and backrowers who are capable of busting holes in defences. Instead, we focused primarily on the middle unit - Bryant, Hickey, Rinaldi, Kaufusi - only one of whom is a step up on last year's roster.

Rodney and Cook were signed as backrow runners - but both are left-sided and one is injured. Bailey has been switched (successfully) to the right but we remain without a specialist right centre. Colbon was signed as a winger but must now be rated our best option at 3 - when he gets back to fitness. Robertson is looking like a luxury we can't afford - you go out and sign top wingers only when you have top centres on board already.

So, as I say, with the players available so far I am not surprised we sit bottom of the line breaks table - just 4 in 3 games, half of Widnes's tally. We have no presence at right centre, a left centre learning the trade after converting from the wing and - due to the crazy idea of picking only 2 or 3 props in the 17 - we've sucked Rodney, Bailey and Clubb into the middle channel.

That doesn't excuse the test half of rugby ever seen, however. The first 40 mins on Sunday was shameful - low energy, no width, poor discipline, shocking errors, zero confidence. The second was massively better but not great - but that just begs the question: why?

All that said, I remain convinced it can be put right once key players are available again - Colbon, Sarginson and Cook are vital IMO because they will offer Witt and Gower runners. Howell should have played his last game at right centre and JOC should make way for Sarginson as soon as the latter is fit. Cook/Clubb/Bailey MUST do the majority of the their running 2 passes off the ruck - they aren't donkeys. The donkeys - and I mean this respectfully - are Kaufusi, Krasniqi, Te Mata, Bryant and Thomas and at this stage of the season there should always be 2 on the field and 2 on the bench.

So, Colbon and Sarginson in the centres with Cook, Clubb and Bailey offering themselves 2 passes of the ruck and life will become much easier for Gower, Witt and Dorn and potential support runners like Dixon and Robertson. Until then, we've got to make do and mend. At the very least, we need to play 4 props so as to get Clubb and Bailey running wider. With regards to centre options - especially right centre - I think we're knackered until bodies return from injury. And that's a failure of recruitment.