Our mythical pack : Tue May 10, 2016 11:24 pm
It seems there is a bit of a misconception around our pack. Whenever you lot are moaning about needing signings, most of them are centres, wingers and halfbacks. I've watched the Hull game again three times now as our Sky planner was taping two other shows for the Mrs. What strikes me is how easily our pack was beaten, it really was demolished. AND that Hull pack was missing arguably it's best two players in Pritchard and Manu. Our pack is a myth.Alex Walmsley's season is a big concern for me. His body language is terrible and his impact, whilst it would be impressive for most players, is an absolute mile off what it was last season. I can only think of the Warrington away game where he's really stepped up and got on top of a quality pack. I've suggested a few times that he needs a couple of weeks off to re-energise and I hope that's all it is. If he's been playing injured all season then it's just stupidity. Note, not criticising him, he's a great player but he doesn't seem the happy chap he was last season and he's not having the impact he was either.
Kyle Amor is another player I've got a lot of time for, like Alex. He's a workhorse and invaluable to the team. But against Hull, like against Wigan and Catalans he was bullied and dominated by bigger, more aggressive players.
Robes, whilst still a high quality player is on his way down from the stratosphere in terms of performance. It's inevitable when he's played so many minutes for so many years and I would never criticise a legend like Robes. But the club has again failed to plan for his decline and IMO he's arguably not in the top 3 English hookers currently. He's been the rock of our pack for years and with the rest of the pack so weak currently it's getting hard.
Wilkin and Vea. Both have their good moments with the ball, but both are defensive nightmares. Between them they cost us probably 3 or 4 tries a game recently, which is unacceptable. Both should be going at the end of the season, but I suspect it'll be cheaper to keep them, so they'll stay.
LMS has his critics, but I love him so won't criticise him. He deserves a new deal, despite his failings. He's easily the fittest, fastest big man in Super League and with a proper front row set would be a great weapon. What happens now is he's trying to do too much in the wrong areas to make a difference. Tasi I won't even mention as he doesn't warrant it.
What I think the club needs is a new backrow. I'd sign one big monster prop and one backrower and promote from within for the other positions. The likes of Morgan Knowles, Luke Thompson and Andre Savelio should be playing over Richards, Vea, Tasi and Wilkin. Is Nzongou a prospect? Get him in, along with any other senior academy players who have a chance of improving us.
