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Quote: NickyKiss "As much as your first point is correct it matters little in the comparison stakes because we did have Hoffman and now we don't! We did have Joel Tomkins and now we don't and we do have Gaz Hock but won't for long and no replacement of anywhere near the same quality will be available now. A few months back Willie Manu and Gareth Ellis where available but now they're not and we'll have to go with what we've got.

As for your second point it's again correct but matter even less because Joel was 23-24 with 4 or 5 seasons rugby at the back of him when he replaced Hock in 2010. Those 2 you mention are good youngsters but they're no Hock, no Hoffman and no Joel Tomkins of 2010 yet and won't be for a good few seasons.

We need quality players in the team now not in 5 years.'"

They might not be quality for a few seasons, but they'll develop given chance. This idealistic desire for quality players across the park is not realistic, the standard of available players in SL is poor and we can no longer compete for imports. Like it or not the best way is to develop our own, we'll lose a few given the SC but will be better off than most. Given the number and profile of departures this off season it looks very much like a transition phase for a year or two. Why would Hock want to stick around while Green and Smith keep the halves warm until the next generation come through. Maybe it's time to give the likes of Hughes and Lloyd the opportunities and see how they go, we might be pleasantly surprised.