Re: Fairamo Leaving - Darnell McIntosh on his way? : Tue Jun 01, 2021 7:47 am  

Smiggs wrote:

What about overseas?

Ideally yes, but as it stands we only have one non fed free and I think we need to use that for a prop.

We could release Ma'u, but that we then need another big backrower.

Ideally we could release Fonua and sign an overseas prop and hooker, but someone would have to sign Fonua off us.

Re: Fairamo Leaving - Darnell McIntosh on his way? : Tue Jun 01, 2021 7:51 am  

An overseas hooker I'd try and sign would be Joey Lussick, went back to the NRL, but wasn't getting a game early season. Thought he was fantastic for Salford.

Re: Fairamo Leaving - Darnell McIntosh on his way? : Tue Jun 01, 2021 8:01 am  

Dave K. wrote:

Ideally yes, but as it stands we only have one non fed free and I think we need to use that for a prop.

We could release Ma'u, but that we then need another big backrower.

Ideally we could release Fonua and sign an overseas prop and hooker, but someone would have to sign Fonua off us.

Hearing Ma'u agreed another year, I'd have let him go or hope its on a reduced contract, good piece of business with McIntosh very young, fast, over 100 games and English free's up quota for BIG PROP.

Re: Fairamo Leaving - Darnell McIntosh on his way? : Tue Jun 01, 2021 8:03 am  

Mr. Zucchini Head wrote:

I'm going to reserve judgement on this one for the the time being. He's young, he frees up a quota spot and he brings a bit of pace, so compared to Faraimo I'd agree it's a good move. But he's just never really exited me as a player. Never looked like a difference maker to me, just someone who is reliable and not much else. Now we are linked I will watch him more closely and see if my opinion changes.

On the limited times I've seen him, inalways thought he looked decent, certainly alot of potential. Nothing on the Hudds forum,but I've had a look at the Huuds fans Facebook page, all disappointed and say he has been very good for them when playing on the wing.

Looking at the OOC players, there is only really Tom Davies who is available and better, but even he has had bad injury problems and looks set to stay in France

Re: Fairamo Leaving - Darnell McIntosh on his way? : Tue Jun 01, 2021 8:04 am  

Offered Davies a deal but he's staying at Catalans.

Re: Fairamo Leaving - Darnell McIntosh on his way? : Tue Jun 01, 2021 8:04 am  

Ellam wrote:

Hearing Ma'u agreed another year, I'd have let him go or hope its on a reduced contract, good piece of business with McIntosh very young, fast, over 100 games and English free's up quota for BIG PROP.

I hope so, with covid and the rules in Australia being so tight, it will be hard to sign NRL players, so not sure we will get better. I think Ma'u will get better, we have seen signs, but not consistently.

[Chris71]

Re: Fairamo Leaving - Darnell McIntosh on his way? : Tue Jun 01, 2021 8:27 am  

Dave K. wrote:

Ellam wrote:

Hearing Ma'u agreed another year, I'd have let him go or hope its on a reduced contract, good piece of business with McIntosh very young, fast, over 100 games and English free's up quota for BIG PROP.

I hope so, with covid and the rules in Australia being so tight, it will be hard to sign NRL players, so not sure we will get better. I think Ma'u will get better, we have seen signs, but not consistently.

Agree with you there Dave, we all know that Mau is a top player and we have seen glimpses of what he can do. Hopefully with BH as head coach we can utilise the ability of Mau properly and he will get a a good run of matches as I think he seems to have had a bit of a stop/start career with us so far. Think with the drier and warmer weather we will be much more expansive and be able to give him much quicker ball which is what he needs.

I think the recruitment for the next season or two will be more difficult and more calculated not just for us but a lot of clubs post lockdown etc with the finances having been stretched. With King re signing at Wire for 170K which seems a huge amount, personally I don't he is that good to warrant that amount, plus Fages reportedly wanting 200K and again never really rated him and in fairness many players with average talent would go well in the St's team.

Another indication of the player movement market is Wigan likely re signing Thornley which I saw over the weekend which for a club like Wigan seems a strange one.

Re: Fairamo Leaving - Darnell McIntosh on his way? : Tue Jun 01, 2021 8:38 am  

If Fonua is staying, I'd be tempted to start playing him at centre and use Griffin in the back row

Re: Fairamo Leaving - Darnell McIntosh on his way? : Tue Jun 01, 2021 9:23 am  

Seems the remodelling of our style and dynamic has begun. Sensibly replacing a quota spot winger, with a younger quicker option. Can we test Huddersfield for young Wardle as well while we are at it. Good signing this, welcome Darnell.

[Chris71]

Re: Fairamo Leaving - Darnell McIntosh on his way? : Tue Jun 01, 2021 11:07 am  

Dave K. wrote:

If Fonua is staying, I'd be tempted to start playing him at centre and use Griffin in the back row

Fonua is a conundrum really, he is far more of a threat and more affective as a centre but he's still behind Griff and Los. not sure I'd move Griff out of from the centre spot either as he plays well at centre. Its possible he could become a wide running back rower but will he be as affective there as he is at centre?

Hopefully Mahe will rediscover the form he had in his first stint with the club but honestly I'm just not sure if he will and do wonder why & who re signed him. That said he took the opportunities when presented against St's so hopefully that will give him confidence and his handling has seemingly improved since the start of the season.