This is the main question really. being here 2006-08 may create that dispensation as he didn't play MRL until after this date.- I am not saying I want us to go down this route its just a query really.

Manu is exempt because of the residency rule. He's effectively English as he's been in the country for 5 consecutive years. Heremaia hasn't!!

I'd be staggered if Obst was our replacement for Long. Obst is a hooker and half-decent cover for 7 (which is way better than we've had over the past few years) but he is not a first class 7. You just have to look at the Huddersfield game to see how leaderless we were and to demonstrate Obst's lack of a kicking game - particularly long kicks - hell, he couldn't even find touch with a penalty kick (wrong option again). With Long we'd have taken Hudds to the cleaners.

Long for one more year for me to ween Ellis into the role.

If you're getting rid of Obst we will have him please. Exactly what we are looking for!!

Long is not under contract and Obst is, whichever one it is we also have Ellis to back them up so there are options.

On the face of it signing a player who never played top flight rugby league until he was 26 seems left-field even for us, but he played in the ANZAC test last year so can't be too shabby.

We certainly look to have plenty of options next season at half back - I'm pretty sure Horne and Long will get one year deals.

I know but Obst is not a first class scrum half and we really need one. I'm sure they can secure Long's signature if they try. Also, Widnes will be sniffing around all ooc players I reckon.

He isn;t Fed trained so would count on the list. maybe he could try and get exemption, but as he left in 2008 when the rule was coming I doubt he could, the rule was there to protect players who sign contract not knowing the new rules.

Forget the quota now the easiest way of understanding it is:

You can only have 5 players that are non fed trained (I:E Didn't play junior Rugby the UK or france)

Mckinnon
O Meley
Heremaia
Moa

Thats leaves us with one non fed place.

Manu and obst are exempted for the non fed list as they signed contracts pre 2008.

But would it be the best use of the cap?

I understand am happy we now have two hookers in Heremaia/Houghton.

But on top of that we don't need three halves and two back ups imo. Long/Horne/Obst/Ellis/Nicklas is excessive.

I think one of Obst/Long needs to leave.

I agree. I wouldn't be very happy going into a season with Obst has our starting 7 he's an hooker.

I like Heremaia, I think he will be a useful addition to the squad. I'll get slated here but Houghton's distribution and organisation is simply not good enough to be a starting hooker, he is great coming off the bench and running at tired defences but not at trying to set us a platform. So in that basis we needed someone like this. However this to me hints that Long wont be staying.

Good signing imo. Im liking the fact that Agar seems to be doing a Hudds and filling the team with as many pivots as possible which can only mean some free flowing great to watch rugby to come next season. Put in Westerman, Elllis, Houghton and possibly Long and Horne and i really like the shape of the squad.

I think we have to judge on the remainder of the season. If Long stays fit I think the sky's our lobster - if he suffers another long-term injury then we're looking at Ellis at 7 with back-up from Nicklas. Not sure they're rady to carry us yet.

fantasy nrl upto 2/6/2011..
arron heremaia (hooker,NZ Warriors) - 166 points
shaun berrigan (hooker,NZ Warriors) - 179 points
cameron smith (hooker,storm) - 518 points
robbie farah (hooker,tigers) - 398

any shaun berrigan slaters take note......berro was signed to replace heremaia in the interchange hooker birth....

No, I think you're right. I think Houghton has it in him but a good tutor will help as it did with Berrigan. Danny Houghton still has the potential to be an international but is some way off imo.