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.

He was focusing in shouldering an opponent off the ball

https://twitter.com/M_Shaw1/status/1370 ... 40961?s=19

https://twitter.com/M_Shaw1/status/1370 ... 40961?s=19

Best thing for me was out defence and line speed.
As expected the Reynolds and Connor link up looked good.

For me Swift should start the first game with with Fonua or Faraimo on the other wing.

Appreciate my view will count for little on here but I was quite impressed with Hull first half. Thought you were direct, methodical and varied your kicking game well. Reynolds definitely looks a player that will improve the players around him. Connor in particular.

I wouldn't get too stressed about the second half. You already knew that depth was an issue and Hodgson has said himself that he wants a couple more players. This will be Jack Browns breakthrough year 100%.

The coaching staff having obviously seen something in the trialist winger. I would give him a 2 year deal and send him straight out on a season long loan to Champ 1 to learn the game. Will cost you nothing on the Cap. No risk.

Think that's a pretty fair post, I think we are ok to for cover, last night for the spell where we conceded 3 trys we had our full back line and halfbacks missing, hopefully that won't happen in the season, also wouldn't be surprised if we brought a player mid season.

Brown is quality, as to be in the 17 for me, such a talent, makes big yards, has a great offload and hits the line really well. If it's a choice of him and Bowden/Fash there is only one winner.

I wonder if we are thinking of using Cator off the bench as he can cover Houghton if he needs a rest or if he is Ok, play in the backrow.

On Vulikijapani I thought his performance was very similar to how Ratu’s first few games were, with some hesitancy. He made some good carries so all in all it was a mixed bag for him. Had he been on in the first half with a more experienced back line then he would probably looked a lot different so that is also a factor.
Ratu even when he left still had areas that he was weak in yes he hit like a train & had speed to burn but he wasn’t perfect.
As I say I don’t think Vulikijapani was any worse than Ratu in his first trial game to be honest.

I thought it was a decent hit out. Players who you needed to get some minutes in to (Satae for example) will be better for it.

I liked how direct we were in the 1st half, wasn't one out rugby, we looked to spread when needed which was encouraging, despite the greasy and wet conditions. Had it been dry I think we could have been pushing towards going in 30 points up at half time.

Connor seemed to have a lot of room, Sneyd played closer to the line, I also think Lane went really well at 13 and ran straight and hard.

Jack Brown is going to be awesome

A very encouraging first half for me, Reynolds Jake Sneyd and Houghton looked very dangerous in tandem, our defence was very solid, in a pretty professional first half.

Difficult call on Vulikijapani, I thought he looked sharp and keen, and if possible give him more time, we’re also a little guilty of comparing him to Ratu, which is quite a comparison to live up to, for any of our current wingers.

Wagga made me laugh with his stories, but not sure his commentary skills are quite there yet, and what a fabulous little ground York have got.