Capital Punishment wrote:
Other than Bentley that was your best forwards LAST year that could not match Saints intensity and speed so what's going to change?
Your original point was about the number of forwards. I simply responded in relation to depth.
In terms of your second point, I would respond with the following:
1. Tetevano is in his second year and played a small number of games last year, he is a marquee forward so keeping him fit and on the field makes a difference.
2. Oledzki will be a year better as will Holroyd.
2. Injuries! Saints had limited injuries last year, if they did then that had reasonable cover. Leeds if they can keep their squad relatively injury free would naturally be closer. Take out Walmsley and Knowles like we did Tetevano and oledzki and Saints drop significantly.
3. Saints let go thompson and Bentley and brought in Sironen who had some of his own injury issues. So depth wise Saints have 3 decent back row options (excluding the 13 position) which is sironen, mata’utia and batchelor, that’s one player lighter than last year, I wouldn’t class Bell as anything other than a 13 myself. Leeds have Bentley, Martin, Mellor, gannon and Walters. As I said originally more depth for Leeds to cover those injuries but Saints have more cover in the front row and probably at 13 as well.
4. Roby is a year older, Leeming is a year better and won’t be playing in the halves. lussick is a good player but hasn’t played much and is coming into a new system.
5. LMS is 36 in Jan, Amor 35 in May. Injuries and age will creep up on them, especially if they have to play more to cover any injuries.
Do Saints have a quality pack, yes.
Is it better than Leeds, yes.
Will Leeds be closer to Saints in the pack this year, yes.
If Saints get injuries will they be as dominant in the pack, no.
Leeds aren’t where they need to be yet, they will be closer next year and the year after if they get the recruitment right they will hopefully be there.
