I agree.

I hate to knock our players, but despite his injuries Bowden is barely going through the motions these day. He’s just not the player he used to be. Johnstone offers us nothing and I wouldn’t have him near the 17 again. Although he’s had his own indifferent season, I think we’d actually get more impact using Fonua as a forward from the bench than Bowden and JJ at the moment.

I agree.

I hate to knock our players, but despite his injuries Bowden is barely going through the motions these day. He’s just not the player he used to be. Johnstone offers us nothing and I wouldn’t have him near the 17 again. Although he’s had his own indifferent season, I think we’d actually get more impact using Fonua as a forward from the bench than Bowden and JJ at the moment.

apologies I hadn't read that

As well as he's done at full back we have to go with Connor at stand off. McNamara is unfortunately not going well with Sneyd and isn't ready for week in week out Super League.

Connor is best at full back good half backs have pace. Unfortunately ours don’t have any including Connor.
Connor needs a bit of room to work his magic and he won’t get it in the middle.

My team would be

Connor

Bureta
Scott
Mahe
Swift

Carlos
Sneyd

Satae
Mint
Ligi

Manu
Andre
Lane



Fash
Bowden
Shaul
McNamara

For me, Carlos will give us the strongest running option from 6. And running is what we need to start doing.

Just because Connnor plays at 6, it doesn't mean he has to play in the middle, Hastings and Lomax move around and play out wide.

Carlos at 6 for me and keep Connor at 1. Wynne and Scott at Centres, and Fonua can sit at home

Won't happen but swift FB vuniki wing. Wynne tuimi centres. Connor at 6. At least with that line up we do have strike runners all over the park Shaul on bench.

Scott deserve to start had a decent 2nd half against Cas and was one of our better players against Salford (along with Wynne to be fair).

Starting to get a bit of confidence.

Wynne either FB or off the bench for me.

Scott hadn't played bad. But for a must win I would go with a more attacking back line. S. Hit or bust as they say.

i agree on Fonua respecting possession a little more and looking for the quick play the ball could see him being worth the 12month he has left on contract as a forward, coz as a back he is finished at top level imo. bowden like matongo have been 2 years of wasted cap space and sadly where Tag(love him) is now hovering due to injuries ?

I think we all agree that Fonua hasn’t been value for money since he returned for a second contract. Realistically he’s going to be with us for another season, so I would rather see us try and get more from him. As a back he’s inconsistent, occasionally steps out of defence and let’s in a try. However, he’s a strong runner, enthusiastic and has good handling skills.

Currently have him spell for 2 x 30 minute spells down the middle, would be more effective than Bowden and JJ.

We are where we are currently and we just have to try something different to try and squeeze something out if the season.

Who knows, if we could find away to beat Keeds, Wigan’s and Wakefield, we’d arrive at the play offs with renewed confidence and momentum. A tough ask after Monday, however we were once 20-0 down to Rovers at NCP with 21 minutes to go and that season turned out ok!!