Wakeham or BBO will probably do more than ok for 2022. We have a far better forward pack now to pull their weight and gain ground and space. Happy to see how they go pairing with Burto. He will run the show and they just need to back up, and look after left side backs, kicks for tries and repeat sets if there's nothing on.
It's dh/hooker I'm more concerned with. Obviously JMK could improve now that we have bigger, agile forwards but he still doesn't seem to have the skill to pick out opposition weaknesses or a good pass selection...never throws it for the forwards to run onto for instance. Cook is FG unknown and hopefully a surprise package for us.
Flanaghan to not even get selected in reserves so he can stilt their play either as far as I am concerned
Having said that I think all of these players will improve markedly with Gus around the group. He commands respect, is inspirational with his knowledge of the game, expects players to be hard and tough, and can throw up some pretty hardnosed motivational speeches.
Things look on track to set some demanding, and thorough, standards of play, and fitness, and game awareness with him at the helm and ALL the coaching staff will need to be on their best game as well.
Let's hope there's lots of pre-season training updates to fill the void of waiting till our rebuilt team get out there in Round 1.