You're wrong !!!!!

I am a bit. The pack looks really strong next season now, but the balance isn't right IMO. Too many inexperienced backs and not enough cover in the halves for me. Washy should play at 13 all season, but as soon as Horne or Long aren't available he'll be moved to 6, with an extra prop at 13, thereby immediately losing a ball-player and back to square one in the creativity stakes. Nothing against Sam, he's a good player, but we have more obvious gaps than in the pack next season IMO.

We also have Whiting as an option, Tansey is available to cover for Horne, and Whiting can cover f/back or Horne. Also young Jack Brisc may make the odd appearance.

i respect your view but maybe thats why they have brought this kid from salford he can play 13 or 6 possibly also whiting could play 13 i think that could be his natural position

Hope its true big fan of Sam , can use Hame in 2nd row and if we get rid of dowes and cusack end of next season then we be looking for a prop anyway and we got one here .

Think our squad has been so dysfunctional that it would be very difficult to get the balance right again in just one season.

Personally, I think getting a big pack with some depth/options is the best beginning. Long is what we need but he will require some protection/go forward. Hopefully that will provide the platform for our best young players - most of whom are outside backs - to flourish. Playing behind a beaten pack with no organization is exactly the sort of environment that will see them lose their way so we've got to avoid that.

if Long was to be out for a period of time next year-who the hell would we turn to for a kicking game/creativity thats what worries me, been said before the problem is not getting to the opponents 20 its having someone who know what to do when we get there!!! will be dissapointed if moa takes the final quota spot

He has signed for the Giants

Reallyy hope this news is true.

He will be on the back of my shirt next year if so .

Just imagine all these on at the same time...

O'meley, Berrigan, Moa, Manu, Lauaki, Fitzgibbon

We actually could be a threat again next season

I think that it was the 'quins game that Tansey played there and looked good. I'd probably move him to SH when Long is unavailable. Whiting/Horne/J.Briscoe to FB.

Houghton could play 9 and Berrigan could fill in at 7.

My concern is that Washy's been messed about enough the last 2 years and has been disrupted with injuries - it's time for him to take control of the 13 spot as he's on a good wedge and needs to fully realise his potential. He must be given a full season there to be fair to him and not shuffled round to 6/7/even 9.

We have Long (class but getting on), Horne (underperforming significantly) plus Whiting/Turner who are both unproven in the halves at this level. Agar has had ample opportunity to give Whiting a go at 6 and (wrongly) not taken it, so that looks unlikely. I don't know much about Turner, but don't get the impression he's a genuine half back. Tansey clearly wants to make the FB spot his own and should be allowed to do so IMO.

Consequently I still think we are light in the backs and lacking quality cover. As Clarky pointed out, statistically the go-forward has been less of an issue than the ability to create try-scoring opportunities this season. Long will help as he is better than Thorman, but still short there IMO. I like Sam and think we have an excellent pack now, but I wouldn't have been devastated if we'd used the last spot on a back.

I'm wondering who was available at the right standard (ie top player) to come in at half back. It's all about the right standard of player being available. I don't see too mant top halves coming in the direction of SL for next year. If there was no one out there who was better than we have already then if Sam has/does sign it is the right move. I agree with your balance argument but it will take more than one season to resolve it. If Moa signs we have a good prop for the medium term and it releases Lauaki out wider which is exactly where he should be IMO.