I agree with all that, just saying that ideally we should strengthen the backs before the forwards as what we already have is adequate IMO. 100% agree about Lauaki. Must be played wide.

IF Lauaki is to be used in a similar role to Manu.

We would only have Cusack,Dowes and O'Meley as props.
and due to the impact of the sport - 3 or 4 props is not enough -IMHO.

For mine ,IF true, the signing of Moa - would reinforce the prop position.

We were allegedly linked with Luke Burt, but he is no 'blue chip' signing. -IMHO

Id prefer us to persevere, with our young backs.

We need to reinforce the forwards first - they lay the platform for the backs.

Chris Bridge.

Fitz will almost certainly be our number 13 next season.

Great news if true, the thing is he is only 22, so could be here for a few years to come.

Cusack last year and with no props coming through at the moment, this would make sense.

It's ok saying we are short in the backs, but for next season we only have 4 props and each game you need to play 4 props, so you could argue that the position we are short is prop.

Lets hope it's true.

No arguing needed, we ARE light in props, we have 8 first team backs with a couple of youngsters if needed yet we only have 3 props in o'meley, cusack and dowes if lauaki is to be a 2nd rower for us. I have no idea how people can make an argument for backs to be reinforced before prop!
Even if moa does sign, we still only have 4 "specialist" props, I expect another "project" to be announced aswell.

This would be my team for next year (upto now!)
Seems like we've got plenty of cover all over the park.
Can't believe theres no room in the 17 for Houghton (might have to re-think) or is Berro good for the 80?
Back division doesn't seem to be lacking too much experience.
Just hope Horne & Long can get a good understanding & quick!


Tansey

Briscoe
Hall
Yeaman
Raynor

R Horne
Long

O'Meley
Berro
Dowes
Fitzgibbon
Tickle/Manu
Washbrook

Subs:
Moa
Cusack
Manu/Tickle
Lauaki


Squad:
Houghton - Hooker
Turner - Stand Off/Centre/Loose Man
Burnett - 2nd row
Radford - 2nd row/prop
Whiting - full back/centre/loose man
Calderwood - wing
J Briscoe - full back/wing

I disagree, but then I have an old-fashioned view that the foundation of any successful side is a strong pack.

Our pack may be adequate without another specialist prop, but we need better than adequate to move forward.

Which decent overseas 6 has been linked with any SL team though ? I'm not sure who or where this player is. As for getting over the advantage line well what the stats say and reality are not always the same thing. I would have preferred a top notch international level SO but if Moa signs it is a good medium term addition looking at the OOC forwards next year.

I'm not suggesting that we don't have a problem at halfback. We clearly do. However, we also have options there for next season if only our coach uses the players he has effectively. And as pointed out elsewhere, there are hardly a large number of quality stand offs available to sign.

While our pack may have been making it over the advantage line, they haven't been making breaks or hurting the opposition in either defence or attack. There's also the fact that Lauaki will be far more effective out wide in the second row rather than driving it up the middle at prop.

For me the choice is keep Moa and boost the pack to a level where it can compete with the best in SL, or sign a [itop quality[/i 6. As there don't seem to be any of the latter available I feel that the former is the best use of our remaining quota spot.