I hope he has more game time than the two PNG players Rovers signed at the last World Cup.

Yup!

I think 7 overseas players is enough and I hope we aren't looking to find loopholes to bring in an 8th.

I'm not sure if he would get it anywhere, he currently is signed to the best club in the world and plays for an established international side.

I guess we will see, but another overseas back could potentially hold back the development of the likes of Rawsthorne

In my opinion if any class player becomes available who the club believe will greatly strengthen the squad they should make the effort to sign them.
When Kelly was signed the club released Pritchard.
If this guy is available for the coming season then We could release Griffin if any club wanted him.
Bearing in mind the player is contracted anyway for the 2018 season in Australia so maybe we are looking at him for 2019 as a replacement for Talanoa

Hope you're right Wilde - he's lightning fast!

Pleased with what I've seen of Faraimo considering hes been in such a weak side. Still huge boots to fill, but I'm confident he can have a good go at it.

Not sure where the Olam rumour came from but I'm of the opinion that you cant have too many good players, and if we can get him he will definately strengthen the squad.

New Talent Pool is for players who have never played rugby league before, pretty sure that doesn't apply to Justin Olam.

Might not be Olam. Was told PNG outside back and that was the one I figures based on Lo going to Cas, Nene McDonald being an NRL regular etc. Came down go Ottio and Olam and Olam has been more impressive in the RLWC

If they are playing in the RL World Cup they do not qualify for New Talent Pool exemptions, it's for players who have never played the sport before.

All I know is they were looking into it, so will see what happens

That isn't the way to long term success, we've already lost a lot of academy players in the backs despite a couple showing us they had real talent and we seem to have problems taking players further at the club in that area.
Signing overseas players doesn't come cheap and we thin our squad down (by having to loan out) and/or have less experienced back up as noted by Kirk Dixon last year in commentary.

If Bumpy's against it that's all we need to know. His record is almost 100% wrong so far. I really, REALLY hope we sign this Papuan now!

Exactly, seven is too many (by four or five IMO)
So you merge your academy side, scrap your reserve side and want to bring in even more overseas players. Is it any wonder the game is in the state it is?
btw I'm not just having a go at Hull, somebody at the top of the game needs to start making BIG decisions.

I don't think the reserves thing is a stick that you can beat Hull with. We tried a reserves team, but the "competition" was a joke. Basically a handful of friendlys with a game being called off every other week and half of teams not strong enough to provide any meaningful opposition. If the RFL created a proper reserves comp then we would be all for it, but it was considered a waste of time in its current format so we've gone back down thw dual reg route instead.

Likewise the academy. Alot of people still dont like it, but you have to take both clubs for their word that its been done for the right reasons, and not just as a cost cutting exercise. The coming years will tell us whether it was the right move or not.

For a long time, Hull's academy amd youth development just hasnt been up to scratch. Its easy for a club like yours to preach cutting overseas numbers etc when you have them rolling off the conveyor belt, but we are trying to walk a thin line between developing our own and being successful. As long as there is a pathway to the first team and kids are getting their chance, I am ok with that. Last year we had about half a dozen players who either made their debuts or who had more game time than in previous years. Fash became a proper first team regular. For a team pushing at the top with not too many injuries I think thats ok, and as the quality of youth players improves (which is what we are hoping will happen) we will hopefully see them push through in bigger numbers. Its no good binning all your overseas talent and replacing them with kids who are just goinh to be out of their depth.

How many overseas players does your team have?