Just thinking out load but perhaps now is the time to convert him to a prop, assuming he'd be happy with that.

It's not a daft idea, plenty of back rowers, even centres have become props towards the end of their careers.

He's got the size and strength at 6'4'' and I suspect somewhat heavier these days that his Wiki page suggests at 16 st 5 lb.

Thought he ran the ball in hard for most of 2020, almost played like a prop at times and of course he is a good off-loader.

Westerman is still a quality 13 but my train of thought is that he's not got the pace he once had, he's getting older so as a 13 he'd be a bit easier to replace than it would appear prop is to find.

Also, doesn't mean he can't play in the back row if needed.

More of an issue for him than the club in a way as he may not wish to make the transition, but if he did I reckon he'd be a revelation.

I await PT's immediate rejection of the idea

I agree I was basically pointing out that Westerman can play prop because as you say he pretty much does already. It's more a case of adding it to his title on the players' profile page than anything else.

So in all but name, we have the following players who could be classed as props or BIG or PUNCHY middles.

Fifita
Green
Arona
Tangata
Tanginoa
Westerman

and perhaps Battye.

One more would be nice on top of that lot but 7 of these players available and hopefully injuries permitting 5 per game that should be enough, the rest is pure attitude. You combine this with the smaller but more mobile back rows you should have a well-balanced pack, Pitts, Crowther, Batchelor, Ashurst and maybe Arundel and Walker.

That's my plan anyway.

He ran it in harder than some of the props at times.

It's not a bad shout.

Also, forgive me if I'm wrong, but hasn't Pitts spent time in the front row. If so, possibly an option, so that we keep Kelepi wide, and the fact that Ashurs and Bachelor were looking like their old selves towards the latter part of the season

As you say, he's a middle so defensively it's the same.
But in attack it would limit him I think.
Driving the ball in like a prop is tiring which is why they are swapped at 20 mins.

I'd rather he was on the field as he was at times the only one who could move the ball.

So I don't reject it but I personally wouldn't do it.

Personally I’d leave him where he is.
I’d prefer us to get a couple of out and out props as opposed to converting backrowers.
Many have said on here, and I agree, Tanginoa is a wasted talent at prop.
Of course, if we’re unable for whatever reason to sign a couple more, then we may well have to consider our options but I hope not.

I’ve mentioned before, when Joe was signed I was a bit disappointed but he proved to me to be a very good signing and was the forward that got us on the front foot, especially the latter games. His leadership and organisation also came to the fore which made us a better team when he was on the field.

Be nice but props are thin on the ground it would appear.

Why take our best ball playing forward and put him to prop leave him be.yes agreed there alot of coaches like a prop at 13 these days ie graham but more often than not its the prop moving to 13 not vice a versa.
Dont get this thing of lets play players out of postion cos they may do a decent job successful team tend to have players in there specialised postion

However we do need props and as it stands players will no doubt players will need to play out of postion at some point to cover the role as i may be wrong but do we onlhy have 4 specalised props in fifita arona green and tangata

Tanginoa is also a prop, problem is he’s even better as a back rower but there is some of your cover. With our budget like it or not we will need to depend on multi purpose players. We have a fair few of those, Pitt’s, Crowther and of course Westerman fit that description.

Those four players are our band aids and in a normal season they are sufficient, we need a normal season.

Yes he is a better second rower so ideally thats where we should play him looking at the current squad he will play most games at prop which currently makes sense but as a team where losing somthing there.pitts crowther and westerman are all good players yes but there not props and wont perform as good as they can in there specialised postion so again the team miss out.not sure if you have ever played the game vastman but the role of a second rower to that of a prop forward is different a big difference so expecting them to peform the same is unfair.
Your right about the budget so why have we the same amount of wingers as we do props and not forgetting going on your beliefs of sqaure pegs in round holes we have another 3 or 4 players who can cover that said postion

I guess we are still looking for props. MC said as much and that there were still budget there. Maybe you should point out to him where to find them?

That is a very good point and as mc said there aint many abouy pity we released 1 who was better than some we have