The fact that your coach actually went looking for this signing, would indicate to me that he will feature in the 17 right from the off.

Lauaki hasnt, even at his best, been in the same league as Ali, even over the last couple of years when Injuries have clearly hampered him. I dont even think they are a similar type of player, Lauaki is closer to Hock than he is to Ali.

Lauaki will probably look good in comfortable wins for Wigan, but he will be a liability in close games. I cant see Lauaki being any more integral to Wigan than Cross was, or Moore will be to Leeds.

I cant imagine that Lauaki was 'a target', but like Moore at Leeds he is probably the best you could get, for the squad place you wanted, with the money you are willing to sacrifice on your SC.

I just let that one go mate! It's totally lost on the pies that Ali is Leeds all time and SL's most successful over seas signing.

I'd say that's pretty close to my feelings on the singing. Well all except that lauatiti is a great player anyway

I can only assume from this assessment that you feel Sam Backo is the greatest overseas signing of all time.

I said he would do a similar job for us that "Ali" did at Leeds, not once did I say he was better than him.

How do you work that out? Ali has been a great player in the NRL and SL for a decade. Slammin' Sam wasn't fit to lace Ali's boots in comparison.

I think he was being sarcastic, just a thought like........

Isnt most successful a quantitative rather than qualitative statement?

I'm sure you can argue about that on your own board....

Not necessarily no.

Over the course of their respective careers give me Backo any day. He did have a career before and after Leeds you know.

Surely success would be measured by your success which is fairly easily to measure. Best would be a clearly qualitative statement, but successful is clearly a quantitative one. It is fact that Ali has been the most successful import of the SL era.

As for the comparison with Backo, I'd take Ali every day of the week.

So you are saying a player cannot be a success in a team unable to challenge for honours.

Has Rangi Chase been a success this year with his form?

It is a simple man that judges success or failure against the number of trophies in a cabinet in my opinion.

in relation to Backo and Ali, a world class Prop, one of the best of his generation, which was an excellent generation of Australian Props or Ali Lautitia, who had maybe 4 top seasons. No brainier for me, but each to their own.

Anyway back on topic.

Lauaki will provide us with much needed wide threat much in the same way Ali used to do for you......several seasons ago.