If our recruitment strategy for next year isn't focussed on beefing up our forward pack, I think it needs to be. Two games in and we have been totally dominated in the forwards. I don't think one of our forwards has cracked 100 metres once in either game....totally unacceptable.
Our whole gameplan is out the window if we can't dominate or at least match our opposing forward pack. We haven't been on the front foot once or gained any momentum to play any attacking football. Our backs don't stand a chance and it's unfair to blame any of them when our pack is being totally outplayed and man handled. Also let's not forget we are the only team to play both our games in atrocious conditions where the backs really don't get much chance to attack
I would be targeting 2 props. I would target an elite frontrower such as big Nelson, Haas, Pangai Jnr, Paulo , Fisher-Harris etc.... get into the ear of their managers and put an offer that is too good to refuse. Whoever wants it just needs to agitate for a release and you never know where the cards might fall
Secondly I would be after guys like Bunty Afoa, Jacob Safiti or any of the Warriors forwards that are prepared to run through a brick wall.
Two new props with Thompson as a rotation and we are already stronger up front. For me Ofi and Renouf have shown a distinct lack of hunger, aggression, intensity which is exactly what we need. I wouldn't re-sign either of them. They have both had 3 years to show something and haven't.
I also think we need at least one strike backrower which I don't believe we have in our abundance of backrowers. RFM is probably the closest but hasn't been consistent enough and has been unlucky with injuries. Matterson is a big body that fits the bill, but I'm sure there are others. Add Elliot and Jackson to that and we suddenly have size, aggression and go forward
Hooker is obviously our achilles heel at the moment and a lack of genuine hookers available makes it even harder for us to recruit what we need. Is Brandon Smith the answer? Do we try to develop Dietz if we have a monster pack that can give him some room to move?.....I really don't have the answer to that one and I trust TBaz to make the right call
With a pack of forwards like that, I'm sure our backs will look totally different, especially with Burton and JAC on board next year. I think with a backline out of Allen, JAC, Cotric, Okenbur, DWZ, Averillo, Burton, Flanagan, we will see some attacking footy.
I know there are rumours we are after Staggs, and he is a great player, but I think any money we have after we cleanout the majority of off contract players at the end of the year should go towards rebuilding our forward pack, because that's where games are won or lost, in the forwards, and at the moment we don't match up at all
Our whole gameplan is out the window if we can't dominate or at least match our opposing forward pack. We haven't been on the front foot once or gained any momentum to play any attacking football. Our backs don't stand a chance and it's unfair to blame any of them when our pack is being totally outplayed and man handled. Also let's not forget we are the only team to play both our games in atrocious conditions where the backs really don't get much chance to attack
I would be targeting 2 props. I would target an elite frontrower such as big Nelson, Haas, Pangai Jnr, Paulo , Fisher-Harris etc.... get into the ear of their managers and put an offer that is too good to refuse. Whoever wants it just needs to agitate for a release and you never know where the cards might fall
Secondly I would be after guys like Bunty Afoa, Jacob Safiti or any of the Warriors forwards that are prepared to run through a brick wall.
Two new props with Thompson as a rotation and we are already stronger up front. For me Ofi and Renouf have shown a distinct lack of hunger, aggression, intensity which is exactly what we need. I wouldn't re-sign either of them. They have both had 3 years to show something and haven't.
I also think we need at least one strike backrower which I don't believe we have in our abundance of backrowers. RFM is probably the closest but hasn't been consistent enough and has been unlucky with injuries. Matterson is a big body that fits the bill, but I'm sure there are others. Add Elliot and Jackson to that and we suddenly have size, aggression and go forward
Hooker is obviously our achilles heel at the moment and a lack of genuine hookers available makes it even harder for us to recruit what we need. Is Brandon Smith the answer? Do we try to develop Dietz if we have a monster pack that can give him some room to move?.....I really don't have the answer to that one and I trust TBaz to make the right call
With a pack of forwards like that, I'm sure our backs will look totally different, especially with Burton and JAC on board next year. I think with a backline out of Allen, JAC, Cotric, Okenbur, DWZ, Averillo, Burton, Flanagan, we will see some attacking footy.
I know there are rumours we are after Staggs, and he is a great player, but I think any money we have after we cleanout the majority of off contract players at the end of the year should go towards rebuilding our forward pack, because that's where games are won or lost, in the forwards, and at the moment we don't match up at all
