Re: Rumours and signings v7 : Fri Jul 22, 2011 8:40 am  

Antonio Kaufusi apparantly signing for Quins according to todays rag, if he has we have missed a trick, would have signed him no danger.

Re: Rumours and signings v7 : Fri Jul 22, 2011 9:05 am  

LovesToSpooge wrote:

Can't say I ever hear name mentioned much if at all from those who regularly watch the reserves. He's certainly not one of our stand out youngsters.

Good luck to him though if it is indeed true.

I think personally that he is a lad with a big future, very well thought of by the pro coaches when I have heard his name mentioned. A player I would very much like us to retain.

Re: Rumours and signings v7 : Fri Jul 22, 2011 9:13 am  

post wrote:

Antonio Kaufusi apparantly signing for Quins according to todays rag, if he has we have missed a trick, would have signed him no danger.

He is a unit alright.

Had a few serious injuries though recently?

Re: Lauaki to Wigan : Fri Jul 22, 2011 10:05 am  

super_fc wrote:

FWIW I think Lauaki would be a revelation at a club like Wigan. The only reason he hasnt lived up to his potential at Hull is because of Agar. Agar uses him as an prop because our back row is probably the strongest area of our squad, but really Lauaki is a back rower. He's got a great pair of hands, good footwork and obviously he's an aggressive bugger, but unfortunately Agar just sees the latter, hence why he's just used as a battering ram. Under the right coach I think he could be devastating, but while he's at Hull any talent he has got will be coached out of him. I hope he does sign for Wigan because like I say, used correctly, he could be a fantastic player.

He played back row loads of times in his first season.

Deffo available now Moa has signed at Hull. Not bad with the ball but not a good defender.

Re: Lauaki to Wigan : Fri Jul 22, 2011 11:06 am  

Why are we looking at backrowers? We have Hansen, Hock, Farrell and Tuson all competing for spots there in the short term, plus Joel and Mossop could cover there, plus Hughes will be looking for the odd game too. The priority should be a half or hooker to replace Deacon.

Re: Lauaki to Wigan : Fri Jul 22, 2011 11:13 am  

Grimmy wrote:

Why are we looking at backrowers? We have Hansen, Hock, Farrell and Tuson all competing for spots there in the short term, plus Joel and Mossop could cover there, plus Hughes will be looking for the odd game too. The priority should be a half or hooker to replace Deacon.

For me it must be a Prop and Centre, which leads me to think if this link is a real one the he would be recruited as a Prop.

We have to play the market though, we can only target players who are available. My philosophy though would be if the players we have targeted are not available then do not bring anyone in or only recruit on a 1 year contract, no point in being stuck with a player you do not need/panic buy for 2 or 3 years......we have been there before!

Re: Lauaki to Wigan : Fri Jul 22, 2011 11:21 am  

jonh wrote:

For me it must be a Prop and Centre, which leads me to think if this link is a real one the he would be recruited as a Prop.

We have to play the market though, we can only target players who are available. My philosophy though would be if the players we have targeted are not available then do not bring anyone in or only recruit on a 1 year contract, no point in being stuck with a player you do not need/panic buy for 2 or 3 years......we have been there before!

Unless the plan is to move Hock up to prop as many were predicting, he really is bigger than when he left and (for example) is just as big if not bigger than Mossop who's having a cracking season at prop.

Hock to prop, Joel staying at centre (no centres available, unless they take a punt on someone like Joe Arundel) and get a replacement for Hoffman (but the available 2nd rowers from Aus seem to have been snapped up - Laffranchi and Waterhouse in particular)

Re: Lauaki to Wigan : Fri Jul 22, 2011 11:30 am  

inside_man wrote:

Unless the plan is to move Hock up to prop as many were predicting, he really is bigger than when he left and (for example) is just as big if not bigger than Mossop who's having a cracking season at prop.

Hock to prop, Joel staying at centre (no centres available, unless they take a punt on someone like Joe Arundel) and get a replacement for Hoffman (but the available 2nd rowers from Aus seem to have been snapped up - Laffranchi and Waterhouse in particular)

Do you think Hock has the discipline to play prop? The sensible, hard yards "get us out of here" type play?

I haven't seen much of him since his return, fabulous player though - one I've always rated as amongst the few British world class players.

Re: Lauaki to Wigan : Fri Jul 22, 2011 11:35 am  

inside_man wrote:

Unless the plan is to move Hock up to prop as many were predicting, he really is bigger than when he left and (for example) is just as big if not bigger than Mossop who's having a cracking season at prop.

Hock to prop, Joel staying at centre (no centres available, unless they take a punt on someone like Joe Arundel) and get a replacement for Hoffman (but the available 2nd rowers from Aus seem to have been snapped up - Laffranchi and Waterhouse in particular)

I do not think we fully know who is available. We know who is off contract but there are always players who are available, there are many scenarios we could look at in relation to the team and its balance.

My personal favourite would be for Joel to replace Hoff in the pack, meaning we bring in a centre to replace Joel and then a Prop to replace Coley.

Obviously much depends on the quality of player available. I would like 1 more year for Deacon with Mellor getting some game time next year also.

Re: Lauaki to Wigan : Fri Jul 22, 2011 11:45 am  

FearTheVee wrote:

Do you think Hock has the discipline to play prop? The sensible, hard yards "get us out of here" type play?

I haven't seen much of him since his return, fabulous player though - one I've always rated as amongst the few British world class players.

Agree with you there.... Depends how much he has changed as a person. Good props need to be rather stoical, be interesting to watch how he plays from here on.