The pack can be a little lightweight or ineffective when one or two players are missing or are out of form like right now.
We'll have Mossop, Prescott, Lauaki, Flower, Dudson, Crosby, Spencer and Burke at prop as it stands next year.
Prescott should be discounted from that list because assuming he'll be fit is simply naive. If he does find fitness it's a massive bonus.
Out of the remaining props, Mossop at his best is international class and one of the best props in the league. As for the rest? Nowhere near.
Lauaki is decent in a dominant pack but doesn't create a dominant pack so to speak. He'll do damage when the team is doing well but he just doesn't make an impact or carry the team like Lima and Mossop can.
Flower works hard, he has his good moments but is prone to some pretty bad lapses in defence. He's a good '4th choice' so to speak.
Dudson showed excellent promise but we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves. He's still young for a prop; young forwards can have lots of ups and downs before reaching their peak. His performances for the first team were good yet his performances for the under 20's were generally poor. He's still has that error strewn, penalty ridden part of his game hidden away.
Crosby is a good prospect but is too lightweight. He won't make the pack any more competitive at a high level. He's good to provide cover and possibly push for a place on the bench but there's a long way to go for him yet.
Spencer hasn't look convincing at all in the first team. He has to show a lot more before he can be considered as someone who might challenge the established props.
Burke is a player who I think could really kick on next year. His form for the under 20's is now much better than earlier in the year. However I don't see the point in playing him at prop at this stage. He'll be too easily dominated like most young props are. He's a very good second row forward and that would be a better position to introduce him into Super League in my opinion.
So for me our pack next year will be lightweight and won't be good enough unless we sign a very good prop. Preferably one with experience too.
I also think we desperately need to sign a back up hooker. Should McIlorum get injured we're in real trouble. Logan Tomkins hasn't shown anything to suggest he'll be good enough and we can't afford to just hope that he'll come good. Carberry isn't good enough either although he could become a decent loose forward as he looks much better in that position.
So I think Wane and Lenegan need to look at which hookers are available for next year and find someone who would be a suitable back up. If Wane doesn't want a hooker on the bench then it will have to be someone who wouldn't mind sitting out a few games, so a young player or a much more experienced player who doesn't mind being a bit part player.
