Bit of a drama queen there.

First team did well, York smelt blood when the youngsters came on but they will be better for it. Don't think we have found the new Ratu.

Overall decent hit out, victory and no serious knocks. Move on now, no team ever finishes the season the way they played in a friendly.

The way we dealt with some of the kicks in the second half was very poor. In fact there weren't too many positives from the second half full stop. It was a bit of a mess really, but not really surprising with all the chopping and changing. The last 20 minutes we didn't have anyone from our starting spine on the field and I think that showed. I'd have been tempted to leave either Reynolds or Sneyd on to help direct the youngsters around a bit, but it's no big deal.

On the plus side, Brown looked really strong, Wynne is a handful and I think young Hookem has something about him.

I saw enough from the first half to see that we have made improvements in some of the areas we needed to, so I'm happy enough.

Bossed it in the first half, players go off and back ups come in and defensive line speed drops, players start dropping balls in every set and we only just win - yes i know its a friendly and you cant read too much into it so

Some players did reasonably well - No FC player was a standout imo - Faraimo can be great in attack when he can hold the ball but he cant defend but it looks like the coach is gonna go with Swift anyway.

Lots of aimless kicks - only Sneyd kicked well and was the best half for FC, bit of a quiet debut for Reynolds - Sneyd and Connor outshone him in attack

Bit early to say that about the new Ratu. He did ok but never got a chance to show what he's got really. He looks strong and physical and he didn't look out of place imo. We don't have a huge squad so I'd be tempted to give him a small 1 year contract and see how he develops.

We got what we wanted out of the game with the bonus of - as far as I'm aware - no injuries.

Just wasn't impressed, he bottled going up for a high ball and it cost a try.

If Faraimo was just a bit more solid and dependable he'd be an outstanding winger. He's so strong and aggressive and wreaks havoc. But like you say he just makes to many errors (handling errors and judgement ones).

Disagree about Reynolds. He is very direct and I really like that about him. One of my biggest gripes about Hull for ages has been the way our attacking line drifts and ends up running out of room. Reynolds runs straight and hard and commits defenders and he will get Connor and Carlos some great ball down that edge. Plus he did well to make the try after picking up the loose ball and wasn't it him that kicked the 40-20?

Like you say it's a friendly. There were some positives, a few negatives, but most importantly they have all got some minutes under their belt, Hodgson will have learned a few things, and I don't believe we picked up any injuries.

Yes, assuming not which would mean only missing Shaul for the first round if so. Slightly less, worried about the prop situation tonight as I thought Satae & Sao started well and Bowden and Brown looked good too with Taylor to come in

Tbf to him I wasn't sure if it was a case of bottling it, misjudging it, or of he was just trying to give some protection to Wynne but the communication was poor.

Whatever it was I just wouldn't write him off based on 40 minutes playing in a very inexperienced side. But Hodgson has seen him in training and it will be up to him to decide whether we should take a punt.

You cant judge a player new to R/L on one half particularly playing in a much changed team from first half.
If you remember Ratu took several games to settle before coming up with some great tries when in the clear.This guy also has the pace to score great tries if put in the clear.
Dont forget there were still people on here criticising Ratu for his defence towards the end of last season
He just needs time and game time but i dont think he will get it with Faraimo,Swift and Fonua in front of him.
One or two long distance tries showing his speed would do his confidence the world of good

Unfortunately for him that is what is going to happen.

He hasn't got another game and IMO he was like a rabbit in the headlights when he got kicked at. IMO he didn't want to put his body on the line for the try and on that basis you can't work with that.

Looks like lockdown as mashed peoples heads even more

Exactly.

The guy has only played 40 minutes of competitive RL.
Give him a chance.
Looked strong and eager to take the ball up.

No mashed head here at all.

Money is tight, I saw nothing to show he is worth a punt especially with no reserve grade to bring him along.

So yeah maybe lockdown has mashed some people's heads up.