Some is service. Reality is that he’s been playing about 80% of all his games at prop for us. To a solid if unremarkable standard.

When he came over and featured left second row he won 5/6? MOTM awards in 2020. Started 2021 at prop as we were short (average) and then back end of 2021 I think he got put back to SR (found form) and we won a stretch and he played better. Then 2022 we put him back to prop (average) and again back end SR (found form) which amazingly he started playing better again. He’s not the reason we won but he attracts defenders and takes some putting down for opposition edge forwards/halfbacks.

He’s just more effective wide running and running at edge players but as Vastman says he needs some early ball to get some steam up.

I just feel he’s a player we have mis managed. He needs to be at SR which is what he is but there’s always the option to move him to prop in emergency needs.

Again watching Leigh there’s a few cracking forwards I hope we are looking at in O’Donnell and Nakubwaii

I’m not dismissing them but let’s get some perspective here.

They are playing Championship opposition and although that’s still tough it’s not the same as SL.

They are on a full season roll in a final series so again they will. Look good.

Everyone you mention may be a gem or they may flatter to deceive.

I know we picked up Whitebread from them but oddly he didn’t shine when with them. Basically when your in the runaway team in any comp they all look good but that doesn’t mean they all are.

Maybe so, they are least seem like options for us to consider.

I expect now all the games are done we will probably see some movement and signings. It’s been quite tight lipped from the club which is probably a good thing.

I’m quite excited to see who we sign or have signed.

Seems to me we're waiting to see what the WC has on display?

Bit of a red herring is this one, and I think JM didn't mean it to sound that way.

Let's be clear about this. The reason no signings are being announced is because Applegarth is reviewing them as the new head coach, which is what you'd expect. What he isn't doing is sitting waiting for the WC, that's not the case at all. Any quota players he wants will now be in contract talks of some kind with the club. The WC refers to the fact that if we can't sign all the players we want then we can look at the WC and see if there is anyone who fits the bill. You have to remember that we often get outbid on players, even those we were in the running for first, it's how it is. So there is every chance that come the WC we may have a spot free. That spot may prove to be an absolute blessing or maybe not.

Do you know this or is this just a suggestion?

There’s a good chance we are looking at a few players who are at the World Cup… which might enable a few face to face chats…

In this case, a bit of both, or as close as you can get from what you hear without actually being part of the staff. But tbh it would make sense anyway. Applegarth is bound to want to review signing, you'd assume he was in agreement with Poching but he may wish to take another look, I would.

FWIW, I reckon we will have at least one or two spots still free whilst the WC is on, that by the way is speculation. That's not so much to do with the WC but historically we don't seem to have signed a lot of players right up November anyway. I think Whitbread came late?

That's all I can say.

I'd guess we already have a list of players to look at, during the WC, ones already on the list but who we'd love to see up close. I'd go with that, makes sense.

Funny, we have an obsession at this club about making signings ASAP, but when we did with Hood, Gaskell and Lineham, that didn't go down well or end up especially well. It's a no win for the club it seems.

It's not like all WC players are there for the signing. Some will be under contract and some will have no interest is SL. I guess the agents will have given the club a list of ones who might be available in our price range. I guess MA will be going through the lists.

All the clubs will be looking at the better players and a strong WC doesn't mean they will fit into our plans/budget.

Most of Tonga and Samoa are already in the NRL. PNG or Fiji maybe but it's not like the days when you could pick up an unknown livewire scrum half.

It's more about the WC freeing some up that wouldn't get visas previously.