Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Fri Nov 11, 2022 9:32 am  

Once were Loiners wrote:

He badly broke his ankle and went off the rails for a while.

Back on props, I can't agree with starting with Oledzki and Tetevano. That's exactly the powder puff front row we've been playing, and I wouldn't want them at 8 and 10 for any length of time. If you start with them against Sts you could be several tries down before you make an interchange. I'd rather see them sub for each other, with the other props rotating amongst themselves.

Probably got enough strength in the pack now for different selections depending on opposition. Against a big pack, Wires for instance, we good dispense with two hookers and go - Oledzki, Leeming/O'Connor, Lisone, Bentley, Martin, Tet. With subs like Sangare, Holroyd, Gannon, and Smith. Hopefully the conditioning in pre-season will pay off and we won't have another whopping great injury list two weeks into the season.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Fri Nov 11, 2022 11:09 am  

batleyrhino wrote:

I miss Walter Mitty…

good old days

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Fri Nov 11, 2022 12:19 pm  

Once were Loiners wrote:

He badly broke his ankle and went off the rails for a while.

Back on props, I can't agree with starting with Oledzki and Tetevano. That's exactly the powder puff front row we've been playing, and I wouldn't want them at 8 and 10 for any length of time. If you start with them against Sts you could be several tries down before you make an interchange. I'd rather see them sub for each other, with the other props rotating amongst themselves.

Agree generally on not starting mik and tet. However, I don’t always agree on the Sts thing just being props or the pack. Sts go forward starts from their back line, props and pack come in on play 3-4 when they are already rolling forward. Go forward and field position is not just down to your pack. If you look now we have handley, fusitua, olpherts, McDonald and Newman to take some of those early carries, get quick play the balls and get us moving. In some ways I think that could be a reason for McDonald as he is a big unit. If you win those first 2-3 tackles with quick play the balls then suddenly taking the 3-4 tackle in as a prop is easier as you are moving forward, line speed drops and you just roll forward.

[Ex-Swarcliffe Rhino]

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Fri Nov 11, 2022 12:30 pm  

Highbury Rhino wrote:

Looks an exciting player. Shame things stalled for a while. Could be a real punchy addition and add some strike on our left edge, something we’ve lacked for a while

He was a fantastic signing for Leigh and was IMHO easily one of their best players last season.

It was only when the mercurial Ipape came in (Champ player of season easily) and a few other heavy hitters, Ferguson etc that his star faded slightly and only because Ipape was such a revelation and Ferguson was a try scoring machine that got the headlines.

Very much looking forward to getting him in, settled and performing.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Fri Nov 11, 2022 2:36 pm  

Ex-Swarcliffe Rhino wrote:

He was a fantastic signing for Leigh and was IMHO easily one of their best players last season.

It was only when the mercurial Ipape came in (Champ player of season easily) and a few other heavy hitters, Ferguson etc that his star faded slightly and only because Ipape was such a revelation and Ferguson was a try scoring machine that got the headlines.

Very much looking forward to getting him in, settled and performing.

Agree and I think Smith has a good relationship with him and got him playing some good stuff at Norths

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Fri Nov 11, 2022 5:22 pm  

Pretty happy with our signings expect big things from some of the unknowns under Rohan!

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Fri Nov 11, 2022 6:18 pm  

We certainly have a more balanced squad and having cap space fir mid season or free for the big changes we need next year is good

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Fri Nov 11, 2022 7:25 pm  

Yep, keeping space open for a midseason signing is a smart idea

I like the look if the squad for next year

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Fri Nov 11, 2022 10:37 pm  

christopher wrote:

Yep, keeping space open for a midseason signing is a smart idea

I like the look if the squad for next year

What I like is that Smith has taken action to release players past best and rebalanced the squad.

We have a talented team much now depends on the off-season work, and the fitness of some key players for next year.

Really looking out for some progress with our younger lads.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Fri Nov 11, 2022 11:25 pm  

Holroyd and Tet really need to put in some big efforts and actually get on the pitch more often too