New Squad Numbers

Quote: DaveO "I am sure Wane thinks he's the best option but I don't see how that conflicts with anything I posted about it essentially being a compromise.

I also don't agree he wouldn't get many games in the pack. I reckon in the 2nd row he would already push Faz for a place. Faz is more suited to 13 IMO anyway but he won't get much of a chance there I know but there is just too much compromising going on. Faz isn't really a 2nd row and Hughes isn't a centre.

I like both players and in Hughes I can see that same kind of spark that set Hansen and Joel apart when they first hit the senior squad.

It would be a pity if his potential was hindered or his confidence affected by being played out of position. I don't really see what benefit he will get from playing centre if ultimately he isn't suited to the job.

Not enough players to "scare" the opposition. It will be close Sam down and wind up Hock when he comes on and that is our threats nullified. A lot of responsibility is going to lie with Green to add a third threat as Finch did and Smith has big boots to fill in at 7. Lauaki effectively being the pack leader is just sad compared to recent packs that had front rowers like Coley and Fielden never mind Lima.'"

I think Faz is just as comfortable at second row as he is at loose forward. He's shown himself to be effective in both positions he just needs to improve his consistency which is nothing unusual for young forwards.

I think Farrell is pretty much nailed on to be ahead of Hughes in the pecking order. Hughes has had some good moments and was excellent against Catalans in France but he's had some ineffectual games too.

The player he was most likely to put pressure on is Tuson but there's no chance that Wane will drop him from his weekly 10 minute spell.

Still, playing in a different position isn't necessarily going to hinder a player. In some cases it can help them. I think in this country we're a little too obsessed with putting players in their places and insisting they never play anywhere else. For Hughes working on his speed and handling should benefit him when playing in the second row. I really don't expect it to be a permanent switch though unless he ends up doing incredibly well there. I think Thornley is still expected to be the long term replacement.

As it stands though Tomkins does seem like our only real attacking threat. Blake Green needs to have a very good year along with Matty Smith because the vast majority of the good things we did in attack last year were down to the organisation and structures involving the halfbacks.

The pack could still be fairly strong in theory but for me it requires Prescott to be fully fit and capable of playing alongside Mossop without one of them getting injured. If Taylor, Dudson and Flower show improvement and Lauaki puts in good performances every week rather than being ridiculously inconsistent then there's still a bit of hope.

I'm not expecting a top four finish though.