i agree with you about ellis, he hasn't been signed to play in the u20s, brough was also 22 when he starred in the cup final for us, so i think ellis has been signed to play

all the new signings so far are decent without being stand out, hopefully we'll mould everyone into a decent team without a big star name

I don`t see us re-signing Lauaki and i think Fitz will retire

Lostyorkie wrote:Lol do you think I'm being optimistic Kosh?

I think it's daft to imagine that the club are deliberately positioning themselves for 6-8 finishes from now on. I also think that next year's squad is shaping up to be better than that already and our recruitment isn't finished yet. In short, I think that your post has zero merit.


Kosh our coach and directors have demonstrated their inability to forward plan consistently over the last couple of years. So we agree that the club are not deliberately planning this. However their inability to plan for the future results in our slow and steady decline. This signing is hardly inspirational and I feel reflects our long term desire to be anything but a mediocre side. Hence my ironic comment re planning for 6-8. Perhaps my irony is guilty of being to
subtle.?

well i am a optimist ,think the signings are a mix of young and old, hopefully there can jell,and with rumours of more to come hey lets roll, at least we are getting our half back and kicking game sorted,and getting our signings early,comeeeeeeee onnnnn uu uulllaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

I think the coach has taken a gamble by signing McKinnon and Heremaia but hopefully both will turn out to be decent acquisitions for us. If Long does go though, we haven't got an on-field general in the squad. I know Ellis is highly rated but will leading the team be dropped on his shoulders in his first season at this level? I'm not so sure. I personally think that if he's good enough then he should be given that chance but during the past two or three years we've rarely seen any of our promising youngsters (Danny Houghton excepted) given a proper run in the side.

Well one thing is for sure we are going to have tons of cover (ALA Hudds) in all the important thought process areas next year... This lad comes very highly recommended indeed and anyone who saw the 2010 ANZAC test will know he is a stopper too!! good feet, quick from the PTB and a few good years in him...
looks a very exiting and skillful squad for next year doesnt it??

we now have two or three for next year with a proven kicking ability which is nice

He didn't play in the last Anzac day test.

Correct. Fien hooked and Luke came off the bench.

Have they? How?

They've demonstrated distinctly variable judgement in recruitment and retention, certainly. I don't see any evidence of a lack of forward planning though. You may not agree with their plan for the future but there is plenty of evidence that they have one and are sticking to it.


These two sentences are contradictory. You say that you don't believe they are deliberately planning for mediocrity and then say that mediocrity is our long term ambition. Which is it?

Why would a club with mediocre ambitions spend up to the cap and pay transfer fees for player?


Perhaps you don't understand irony?

In what way have they failed to forward plan?

I assume you would rather us throw money at a big name has
been? Great example of forward planning.

Heremaia is currently playing as starting hooker for a team sitting near the top of the NRL, you dont get anywhere in any level of rugby without a decent hooker and the style the aussies play makes the hooker just about the most important position on the field. The guy was a late starter and is currently playing easily the best rugby of his career. He also has a good injury record. This comes in the back of us signing an exciting young 7 and a classy full back who lives to support the ball (arguably our biggest problem in recent years). You might like to put the club down at any opportunity but personally I like where we are going.

I agree but if and when Lauaki and Fitz leave, our pack will start to look incredibly threadbare. We really need one big quality forward or maybe two.

Fairly typical of one of ICECREAMAN's posts.

I thought you were trying to strengthen the side for 2012, then I remebered Richard Agar was your head coach.

I hate half term.