How I was told the state of play, be it fact or fiction...

If Smith doesn't get a visa then Tongia will likely be announced and Obst will be our scrum half. If he does get one then Tongia is likely to be on his way if he can be found another club. The coach wants Obst in the squad but can't announce him as there isn't a quota place available with Tongia & Smith on the books. Whilst it sorts its self out theres a chance that Sam could sign for a local championship with a get out clause in place, although there is some interest from the other side of the pennines.

If Tongia can't be found a club and Smith arrives then I wouldn't be surprised if Ben Fisher is signed, not that either he or Obst are really needed.

Just to play devils advocate, we are rather loaded with overseas signings after the recent shopping spree, so if Tongia is deemed surplus to requirements, that's probably one we'll have to take on the chin.

Hmm, hoping I was wrong. I also got told that Obst trained with the team saturday morning and Tongias replacement would either be Richie Mathers or Paul Sykes?

So either way we are signing a hooker that we dont need. Unless were going to be fielding around 3 different teams on alternate weeks im not sure how the youth that hes supposed to be giving games and pathways to are going to get a game let alone a few.

to be honest i was happy to have obst back, but now i think we have far too many overseas players (quota or otherwise). we have a raft of good juniors, and agar had better well bloody use them rather than having them rot in the second team or all out on dual reg/loan deals.

rlhttps://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/story-13787549-detail/story.html?rl

According to Huddersfield on Radio Leeds, Fergie is going nowhere

I would be more than happy to have Sam back...(as would the wife !!)...I still believe he is Wakefield through and through, and judging by the heartless comments in the above article, sincerely hope we do re-sign him, and when we play Hull, hope he stuffs it right up 'em !!!

( I know there is no room for sentiment in the business world of rugby league, but anyone would think he had contracted the Black Death !!!)

IMO Tongia vs Obst is a no-brainer. We have ample cover in the positions Sam can play, but look distinctly short of options for full back.

Sam should only be coming back if Smith does not get his visa.

Finally, if as some have said Tongia has a contract for next season we should be honouring it, otherwise were just treating him as bad as Hull are treating Obst.

Yep...have to agree Tricky...I would be delighted to have both of them in our team, and if Agar's final moves don't come off, suspect (hope) that we will.

If that means relying on Smith not getting his Visa then i doubt it, if John got his visa ok having played less NRL games. Dont need both Smith and Obst surely, sort it out Mr Agar

Don't think it was the number of NRL games that was the issue...I am led to believe it may be something to do with Smith's chequered past, and brushes with the Aussie judiciary that MAY have been the problem, however, since playing for Wigan I believe he has behaved himself, and am told that his Visa is likely to be granted.

Ask Maurice Lindsay to fill the form in and Smithy will be on the next plane.

I don't know who's coming or going but in the video interview Agar gave, he mentioned that he was looking for cover in the backs and primarily a fullback, so I'd have thought that no matter what happens, Tongia will either be staying or we'll be getting another fullback in.

Tongia out, mathers in.