Wow!!! You've just killed of any optimism I had!!

will I win the lottery ? will leeds win the sl ? will we beat rovers ? will I meet carole Kirkwood ? will it rain tomorrow ? will I have fishnchips for supper ? will ELO tour again ? is elvis living on bransholme ?

It was probably the structures the coaching staff had in place at Cas and the players he had around him playing as as a unit that made Sneyd look good.
His goal kicking average was also a lot better but maybe more to do with more tries being scored nearer to the posts.
His goal kicking from wide out for us was poor,that said i like him as a player,tries hard and never afraid to try something a bit different.

Agree, hence my point about a big pre season.

In comparison, it could be argued that an ageing Leon Pryce ghosting past Terry Campese leaving hi for dead etc, but I doubt rovers would even consider dropping a fit TC.

I think maybe abdul ate campese at some point late last season

If Pritchard is fit he'll tear holes all over the field. He really is an outstanding forward with great hands. Of all the NRL signings in SL next year he's the absolute standout, followed by Tupou at Wakefield. I hope you get to see him at his best.

Latest gossip....

Leigh might have to release centre Tom Armstrong & hooker Bob Beswick ,to sign Rangi Chase..

Wouldnt mind both.. TBH...

Regarding potential age and fitness concerns of the older players I'm hopeful that our depth will allow us to manage their game time quite well. With Ellis and Mini I think we have been guilty in the past of playing them when they've been carrying a knock or looked in need of a rest because they're big players and we've needed their experience, talent and guidance on the field. Hopefully the arrival of players like Frank the Tank and Manu, plus our younger players being a year older and having more experience under their belts, will allow us to do a fair bit of rotation as and when needed which should hopefully keep players fitness's up for the full season. Obviously you can't predict when and if a player will come a cropper with a serious injury (as you say, that's sport and you need a bit of luck on this front) but with the depth on offer I think we should be able to limit the usual "injury crisis" providing that we make use of that depth throughout the season and don't just rely on it when someone picks up an injury.

Regarding the halves comment, I'm hopeful that with what looks like a dominating pack that our halves will have more space and freedom to express themselves. Can't disagree with the comments on hooker and centre. Is Washy our cover at hooker now? Hopefully Tuimavave and Fonua will provide the strike we need or we'll add that strike with an additional signing.

I'd take both.

Its a good job our support play is second to none

this is true he was a handful for nearly all defences he came up against last season, causing constant problems on the left hand side. we've been short in this area since manu left us. shaul especially should have some joy running off him. pritchard could well improve our support play as he will no doubt tell his runners where to operate and won't be best pleased if they don't appear - and you don't want to get on the wrong side of big frank (pun intended). i think sika manu will operate down the right so there is a good chance he and mini will be able to spell each other so mini can get a bit more rest in games when needed. much will depend on how much field position our pack are able to set up in the opponents last third, but once there i expect our attacking options to be much improved on last season

www.loverugbyleague.com/news_202 ... eason.html Confirmation that Ellis will play prop/loose and 'cover back row'. Also confirmation (not that he needed it) that Ellis is a machine to get himself fit for the start of the season. What a superstar.

www.loverugbyleague.com/news_202 ... eason.html Confirmation that Ellis will play prop/loose and 'cover back row'. Also confirmation (not that he needed it) that Ellis is a machine to get himself fit for the start of the season. What a superstar.

Me personally I like Abdul at 13 he's more of an old school 13 rather then just another forward like westerman was and he's not a 6 if it isn't happening for pryce I'm think Carlos will get 6 cause that's his favoured position and from what I've seen of him he has quite the X factor much like kelly where he can create something from nothing and I think with Logan, shaul and Carlos backing up Pritchard and watts etc I think our support play will improve tenfold

By HDM standards, a pretty balanced piece. Don't agree about props being our strongest section of the squad given the quality and depth of the back row, but clear in this article that they see Tuimavave as left centre playing outside Pritchard. And a massive season for Sneyd. m.hulldailymail.co.uk/Competitio ... story.html

By HDM standards, a pretty balanced piece. Don't agree about props being our strongest section of the squad given the quality and depth of the back row, but clear in this article that they see Tuimavave as left centre playing outside Pritchard. And a massive season for Sneyd. m.hulldailymail.co.uk/Competitio ... story.html

I noticed Fonua mention a few times her prefers centre. That could make it difficult for Jack Logan to squeeze in, at least a the start of the season but I still think we might see Tuimavave play a bit of 6 if Pryce doesnt pick up his form. If Franks as good as they say on the left then it pays to have a bit of pace outside him and Logan bring this.

I still think LR isn't fully convinced by Shaul, he put Rankin in front of him even when Rankin was leaving, I am guessing thats one of the reasons for trialing Lee Smith.

Good that we have a few more options, especially when injury bites and good that they see Abdul playing a lot of 13.