If Hall does sign my one of three things would seem likely to be happening:

1. We're rebalancing the squad, going for more depths in the backs, at the expense of an experienced, non-club trained forward.
2. Colbon is leaving at the end of his contract and Hall would effectively take his spot in the squad.
3. Ratu will be paid off and Hall will take his spot.

We have to consider that next year we can only have 17 players that are not club trained in the top 25 earners - if we want new signings from outside of the club, we need to create spaces.

I'm really concerned about Colbon. When he was out injured there were lots of rumours about him penning a new deal, but its all gone quiet. Given the way Morgan likes the back 3 to take the ball up in our own 20, Colbon is far more use to us than Craig Hall. He drives in like a back rower and always makes good yards.

I hope we retain him, but I'm beginning to think he's gone.

Some players are able to play in a variety of positions and some aren't. IIRC Yeaman when he played right centre was very poor and was swiftly moved back to the left (and that is without trying him on the wing, at f/b and at s/o ). IMO there is too much emphasis on versatility these days and nothing on position specifics, Craig made his name as a left centre and its his preferred position. It therefore seems foolish to judge his ability on postitions that are not suited to him and ones he doesn't feel comfortable playing in.

My assumption has been that he'd get a couple of games, then it'd be announced after a defeat. We've won every game since he came back, so I'm still hopeful but just starting to be concerned. Webster to the wing, if it happened?

Colbon will sign.

Although i think he's the least effective of the back three as he tends to get controlled in the tackle more than Fox or Briscoe.

Spot on , unfortunately one of the problems of many modern coaches following the crowd rather than thinking for themselves..

Maybe, rather than "following the crowd" (I'm a member of the crowd and I don't recall seeing any qualified RL coaches following me!) versitility is becoming part of the modern game due to the Salary Cap? With a squad limited to 25 players, clubs can't afford too many specialists these days.


Just a thought.

the same sort of squad size as say Man Utd and i dont ever remember seeing ferdinand up front

11-a-side. Man Utd have got 38 players listed as first team squad - fair enough 8 or 9 I've never heard of, but Jonny Evans is number 31. A few of those have played across the backline or adapted to different roles up front. I don't necessarily expect my reserve full back to be able to play prop, but if, like Cockayne, they can cover the 3/4 line and play hooker at a push, that is pretty valuable. Remember too that a lot of 25-man squads are carrying a couple of young developing players who you want to bring on gradually rather than having to stick them in week in, week out as soon as the first choice player in their position is injured.

1. Briscoe
2. Fox
3. Hall/Welham
4. Webster
5. Colbon
6. Blake
7. Dobson
8. Mason
9. Fisher
10. Vella
11. Newton
12. Galea
13. Watts

14. Murrel
15. Lovegrove
16. Clinton
17. Hall/Welham

That looks a pretty strong team to me. Watts will have a big year next year imo.

Had a big year [ithis[/i year for me from what I have seen of Rovers!

Looks to have all the attributes to go a long way in the game.

Reminds me alot of Sam Burgess.

Superb analogy. I'm sure you thought long and hard before typing.

I almost put the same!!

Had a similar impact in his first year in first grade as Sam with offloads in the tackle etc. Maybe missing a big hit or two...