Problem for Thompson is what's in front of him. In 2014 he was number 16 with Paea, Green, Ellis, Tuson, Westerman and Whiting in front of him (and Watts). Now he's behind Taylor, Watts, Ellis, Minichiello, Manu, Hadley, Green, Bowden, Washbrook, possibly Turgut and even perhaps Larroyer. His relative level of impact has diminished probably more so than his absolute level.

If we're struggling to place Conner why look to sign Larroyer?

Hull are going to score at least 2 tries before the Trinity players wake up, and I'd suspect you'll score another 3-4 tries. The question is how many can Wakefield run in? you're defence was solid last year and looks just as good this year, that being said, Wakey have some real attacking potential now and Johnstone has been scoring for fun in preseason.

I'm going to guess the final score will be something like: Wakey 28 - 34 Hull. Who knows though, Wakey have the potential to either destroy big teams or to roll over and get spanked. Only a few days to wait and see.

Are you going to hang around for the Sheffield vs Tolouse match straight after? It has the potential to be a good game

To be fair, I don't think any of the highlighted give us anymore than Thompson, at least with Thompson he as the ability to get us a couple of tries, make an impact, and from a bench player, thats what i want, I dont think Radford thinks so little of Thompson as you do

I'm not sure, think last year he realised he limitations of him and that's why he wasn't first choice.

For me the others offer a lot more, mainly better defence and the big thing, level of consistency that you don't get with Thompson.

He needs a big season or I think he will be at Hull in 2018.

He also has the ability to miss a lot of tackles and he's pretty sloppy in his positioning defensively, particularly around the rook & at A defender in the line, which due to other players compensating creates a gap somewhere else.

There are pro's and con's to his game like everyone else. He is capable of scoring a decent try, Salford away springs to mind a couple of years ago, and whilst he doesn't seem to make many yards, he can bust a tackle and create the space for others.

I'm guessing most think we'll be doing plenty of defending this year, I personally dont want a bench full of steady good defenders, I want someone who can bring something to a game, dont think hadley, green, turgut give us that. I think thompson will have a good year given the opportunity, agree if he does't become more consistent, then he'll be gone next season, like a few others will

Trouble with Thompson he can go out of form with no warning. Can come into form with no warning to though. Easily our most inconsistent player.
Mega feet footspeed and strength (people make too much out of his size imo..He's strong beyonD his size) but can miss an under 9s standard tackle out of absolutely no where. Makes his errors at the very worst of times and same with pens.
Frustrates the hell outta me because his positive attributes could make home a real weapon off the bench

To add impact off the bench I'd be really tempted to use Mini
Think he could really suit it. Start hadley..Let him do the early grunt work that goes on. Then bring Mini on to liven us
Did it v cas at home last year week after the semi. We were really flat in the opening 20. Mini came on and got us back into it
Bench as it stands can give continuity,and some steadying influence but no 1 to change up the tempo or add impact imo

Yeh not a bad shout on mini, just really not happy with hadley in the starting 13

Why not, out of interest?

I think Hadley's game is a lot more suited to being a starting player than off the bench. Defensively sound in a difficult area to defend in, does the basics very well, very fit, and has shown a fair bit of improvement in the oppositions 30 running some good lines in that 2nd row channel. As you mentioned with Tommo, maybe a run of games starting in the 2nd row will see him flourish?

Hadley is a sound starting player imo..Great defender..fantastic line runner..added some great size..And a great pass on him. Doesn't have the explosiveness Mini tho. Which is why I like mini off the bench. Over the season it'll benefit him if we use him sparing as we can. The fixture list is ridiculous and not conducive to 35yr old starting 2nd rows

Reckon our starting team will be along the lines of:

Scott Grix
Tom Johnstone
Reece Lynne
Bill Tupou
Ben Jones-Bishop

Sam Williams
Jacob Miller

Anthony England
Kyle Wood
Mitch Allgood
Danny Kirmond
Matty Ashurst
Tiranau Arona
---------------------------
David Fifita
Craig Huby
Anthony Walker
Liam Finn

Should be an interesting matchup - not looking forward to facing that edge with Talanoa and Griffin! Need to be on our game defensively, but think we have enough going forward to get you worried.

Hope it's a cracker