Last season, he always seemed strapped up and as if he was trying to play with an injury, and I imagine it took its toll over the season, as it does with many players. If he is going to be truly effective for any part of the season, let it be the second half, when he's fresh and raring to go in good weather, and other forwards are playing with injuries.

I don't see it as a particular negative. I'm a big fan, but he's going to be less effective in the cold days of early spring when all the other players are fresh and strong. Let's get him fit for the hard grounds of summer against bashed-up opposition.

As for Gale, I don't see that as cheating. They've lost someone for the whole season and they should be allowed to replace him. The only caveat I would add to that is that they shouldn't be allowed to bring him back this season if he recovers earlier than he expected. If he's off the books for 2019, he's off the books, full stop.

Depends what Pauli turns up IMO, I have seen put in some fantastic stints in a Wakefield shirt but equally seen him look like a passenger, falling off of tackles, not going looking for work and we cant afford to be carrying passengers, although I must say towards the back end of last season I thought he had just started to gain a bit of consistency in his performances, hope to see him back fully fit as soon as possible. Frustrating when we pick up injuries, especially when they are picked up in friendly's but it is all part and parcel of the game, just glad that we have some quality depth, probably more so than most Superleague teams.

Pauli's difficulty will be not increasing his weight when immobilised by the PCL. The conditioning crew will be working overtime to keep him active (on one leg) and it would be good to think Tom might buddy with him to mentor him with rehab.

Of all the players we could lose in an odd way PP is the least worrying.

Don't get me wrong I love to see him play and he can on a good day be almost unstoppable. However as a component of the team he can be replaced all be it by a different type of player.

He will be most missed in attack especially on those close games where his power near the line can be a match winner. In contrast his defensive game will not be missed as he sometimes struggles with the pace.

Fifita, Huby and England are all better - Kopscak looks in a different class and King looks honest and reliable. The SR is well stocked IMHO.

It will be great to have him back but this is no disaster.

That's the big concern for me with PP, he's not the most mobile in defence and needs to come back at 100%. I've no doubt we can cover him, his sheer physical presence and numbers he takes out of the opposition lines will be missed but we've 2nd row cover and the props are fine. Rather he was fit for the drier pitches where he played his better games last year but was hoping to see how he'd go with a full year in the UK under his belt.

Average player tbf, you've got better available.

Wish him well with recovery like but dont think you'll miss him

If anyone follows jesse sene-lefao on Instagram you can see Pauli’s left leg is in some sort of brace.

Didn’t stop him doing those push ups though

Never good to have injuries and it’s a massive shame for Pauli but we have some great options to replace him! Haven’t been able to say that many times before..

Agree with wakeywall his leg was a major injury before he came ,just concerned his fitness is against him

Missing him in the opening rounds with the weather not such a bad thing......

but how much weight is he going to put on !!!!!!!!!!!!

Ludicrous decision to play him freezing cold in Gateshead injury waiting to happen with the weight he's carrying and his previous injuries poor management by the club.
Played in 2 friendlies a guy who clearly isn't a fan of the cold why risk him. V silly.

When Pauli had a car accident and was in a wheelchair for a month or so at Newcastle he actually lost about 12kg - couldn't get to the fridge I heard.

The Facebook comments about Pauli shouldn’t have been risked at Newcastle are ludicrous. He needed game minutes and it could have happened in training, in an opposed session or anytime. Thankfully we are more then covered in his position.

If only you were the coach

yeah we should of wrapped him up nice and snugly