Technically probably Ganson but he has a lot of maturing to do.

Personally I just cant agree, I don't know how you can deem Leuluai the best hooker at the club when he hasn't played there for 3 years. Fitness demands are completely different for a 7 and 9, so we'll have to see Tommy at 9 to be able to make a decision on fitness levels. His kicking game last year was atrocious so I wouldn't list that as a positive, the only positive is that hopefully he'll kick less at 9. Don't get me wrong I don't think McLlorum leaving will make or break our season I just believe we are weaker for not having him. McLlorum and Leauluai from the bench is superior IMO to any combination we now have.

There is other position where we are flooded with mediocrity IMO.

Flower, Clubb, FPN, Tautai, Isa, Sutton, Hamlin, J.Tomkins, Bateman, Farrell, Wells, O'loughlin, plus more youngsters.

Now I'm not saying they're all mediocre, but a few are and that's 12+ players for 6 starting spots and 3 bench spots.

When are the squad numbers coming out that will give us a better idea who is 1, 6, 7, 9, 14.

Your guess is as good as mine, can't remember them ever being this late.

I think, well hope, a lot of opinions will change after this season plays out.

I honestly believe Sam Tomkins will prove to be the best half at the club, and Tommy will prove to be the best 9 at the club.

However, I'm merely speculating that Sam will play in the halves and Tommy will move to 9. Wane may elect to play Escare at 6/7 or even Powell at 7 to partner Williams.

Even with Micky departing there's options and experiments to be had to find out our best line-up.

I think Micky has been a very good servant to our club, he is not the most natural hooker but I could never question his commitment and desire.

I also think the club has made the right decision to let him go. By his own admission he cannot play big minutes anymore and he is coming to the end of his career. We all agree that we need a change of playing style and some fresh impotence in the halves.

I hope this is the trigger to move Sam to half back to partner Williams and TL to hooker. Tommy has shown for NZ that even though he has pretty much always played at #7 for his club #9 is his best position. He’s a strong defender and a better ball player and runner than Micky.

In the halves Sam & Williams appears to be a more exciting option than Williams & TL and hopefully Escare can pick up where he left off prior to injury and also improve defensively. I still have a few reservations about Escare and ideally would like to sign another half and keep Sam at FB but I doubt that is an option a month before the season starts.

1 Escare
6 Williams
7 Tomkins
9 TL
13 SOL

That looks like a pretty good spine to me, hopefully Wane will give his props licence to run the ball a bit more.

Apparently it'll be Escare at 1, Sam at 6, Williams at 7 and Tommy at 9, injuries permitting.

That will seriously annoy some posters if true...

A few people who seem on the money have said Tomkins is running at 6 in training and I hope that’s the case but I found it interesting that’s he’s come out and stated he’d prefer to stay at fullback given the option.

Either way it looks a reshuffle is going to happen.

I bl00dy hope so.

Wayne Bennett deemed Bateman one of the two best English centres, so why not?

Sorry but Leuluai's kicking is dreadful. I am speculating here, but I am not sure his distance vision is great. He does seem to squint IMHO.Even when my old Dad was alive (I lost him in 2014), both he and I thought his kicking was far too often to an opposition player and not finding the gaps. Tackling he does often make big hits and he does scoot at times at the defence. But kicking ? No sorry don't agree.