Quote Billinge_Lump="Billinge_Lump"I think you're viewing this with a touch of hindsight, especially in regard to Riddell.
Riddell would have been signed before the season ended, how many were calling for Leuluai to be moved to hooker at that time? I do realise some thought he may have had the qualities to play there (as I've said before I'm not sure he'll be that good), but until NZ moved him there during the WC ,don't forget he started that tournament as SH, the idea wasn't the shoe in it appears to be now.
The signing of Roberts doesn't surprise me (bar the length of his contract) either really, he's better than Phelps and Pryce, and what if Ainscough had sunk rather than swam, which was possible? The resigning of Mathers was the deal that surprised me.'"
Your not a million miles off!
Tommy was played as 2nd 9 for last 3rd of last season and Riddell ad been signed already by then, Plus Tommy has mainly been going into 9 25 mins or so into the game, would he have the saem impact from the start?
I don't understand were all this criticism of Roberts comes from, yes he did look a little off the pace 1st 4/5 games but his last 4/5 he's looked sharp (Ok he's not coming in off the Wing to Acting HB and doing a Vainakolo but how many can!) and IMO I think in Gleeson/Roberts we will have a Great Centre/Wing Partnership for the next 3 1/2 years!
The AMthers thing was a strange one I agree but IMO it's the Smith one that has puzzled me!
I can't see a 6/7 in Tommy & Timmy (Not enough Pace or size) and told IL the same, I'm sure with the Mathers/Smith Money and the extra quota spot that would have left us we could ahve looked anywhere for a 6 and got him!
I know were a prop short as well (A Good Prop BTW as we have enough, we just don't have the right one!) but to be IMHO only 2/3 players short of being a VERY Good team after only 18 months in charge I don't think is too bad.