Re: Vagana signs : Sat Jan 13, 2024 11:56 am  

It'll be interesting to see where Vagana plays. From the very short YouTube clip I've seen he looks to have the athleticism of a second rower.

Currently for the 'middle' positions we've already got Atoni, Bowden, Bain, Cozza Uele, Shaw and rumours of one more coming in shortly. Wouldn't be surprised to see him used in the second row at some point.

Re: Vagana signs : Sat Jan 13, 2024 12:12 pm  

imwakefieldtillidie wrote:

It'll be interesting to see where Vagana plays. From the very short YouTube clip I've seen he looks to have the athleticism of a second rower.

Currently for the 'middle' positions we've already got Atoni, Bowden, Bain, Cozza Uele, Shaw and rumours of one more coming in shortly. Wouldn't be surprised to see him used in the second row at some point.

He will play prop I expect. He played all but 1 of his games this season in that position.

Cozza played 13 Boxing Day and has a good pair of hands so I fully expect he will play 13.

Bain can play prop or 13 too. He could interchange with Cozza.

Re: Vagana signs : Sat Jan 13, 2024 8:14 pm  

Just need someone now who can cover fullback and the centres.

Re: Vagana signs : Sat Jan 13, 2024 8:32 pm  

imwakefieldtillidie wrote:

It'll be interesting to see where Vagana plays. From the very short YouTube clip I've seen he looks to have the athleticism of a second rower.

Currently for the 'middle' positions we've already got Atoni, Bowden, Bain, Cozza Uele, Shaw and rumours of one more coming in shortly. Wouldn't be surprised to see him used in the second row at some point.

I thought the same on what little I have seen admittedly. Looks quite athletic on the 6 hit ups I have seen. With a bit of coaching could be a nightmare to defend against playing on an edge.

Re: Vagana signs : Sat Jan 13, 2024 8:41 pm  

Willzay wrote:

Just need someone now who can cover fullback and the centres.

This could be where the Wigan link comes into play short term. I would be surprised if Hampshire doesn't play a few games for us this term if we have a problem in the halves or fullback.

Re: Vagana signs : Sat Jan 13, 2024 10:02 pm  

Trojan Horse wrote:

He will play prop I expect. He played all but 1 of his games this season in that position.

Cozza played 13 Boxing Day and has a good pair of hands so I fully expect he will play 13.

Bain can play prop or 13 too. He could interchange with Cozza.

I'd agree as things are now, but I've also heard we're close with a young prop from the NRL so we'll have quite a bit of depth if it comes off. And Ashurst, Pitts and Griffin are all 34, I'd expect at least two them to move on at the end of this year. There's an opportunity to experiment if we want to.

Re: Vagana signs : Sat Jan 13, 2024 10:45 pm  

imwakefieldtillidie wrote:

I'd agree as things are now, but I've also heard we're close with a young prop from the NRL so we'll have quite a bit of depth if it comes off. And Ashurst, Pitts and Griffin are all 34, I'd expect at least two them to move on at the end of this year. There's an opportunity to experiment if we want to.

Interesting about the prop. We pretty much look to have a lot of quality there unless it’s a special player that we see as a long term investment then great.

I’d have thought because of what you mentioned with Griffin, Ashurst and Pitts that we’d be looking at a second row for the future.

I have no issue with us dipping into the overseas market for quality players for the next few years or even the short term this year.

I would like to see us try sign Judah Rimbu who’s a halfback/hooker was great with PNG and earned a train trial with Dolphins in NRL.

Would imagine a whole host of players have come on the market. I hope we can cherry pick a couple of the best young talent to see us through to SL.

Re: Vagana signs : Sat Jan 13, 2024 10:51 pm  

Trojan Horse wrote:

Interesting about the prop. We pretty much look to have a lot of quality there unless it’s a special player that we see as a long term investment then great.

I’d have thought because of what you mentioned with Griffin, Ashurst and Pitts that we’d be looking at a second row for the future.

I have no issue with us dipping into the overseas market for quality players for the next few years or even the short term this year.

I would like to see us try sign Judah Rimbu who’s a halfback/hooker was great with PNG and earned a train trial with Dolphins in NRL.

Would imagine a whole host of players have come on the market. I hope we can cherry pick a couple of the best young talent to see us through to SL.

I don't watch much NRL so I can't really judge any of them. But we look well set for the Championship, and any signing going forward need to be with SL in mind. We'll definitely need to upgrade the halves and hooker, and probably the back row and three quarters.

Re: Vagana signs : Sun Jan 14, 2024 1:36 am  

Richard1 wrote:

This could be where the Wigan link comes into play short term. I would be surprised if Hampshire doesn't play a few games for us this term if we have a problem in the halves or fullback.

As it stands Hampshire is the only cover they've got for Field, French and Smith. I think he could end up playing a fair bit for Wigan this year.

Re: Vagana signs : Sun Jan 14, 2024 7:38 pm  

Willzay wrote:

Just need someone now who can cover fullback and the centres.

Could do with a Jimmy Leuliai or a Steve Diamond.

Alternatively, are there any good up and coming full backs around.