He does look a good player.
To me though, he is more of a back rower, and don't see him as a replacement for Anderson, Fifita is. To me, if anything, is he replacing Tupou, as he is a similar type player and age. Tupou has had several niggling injuries since he was here, and has only played something like 13 games, of which a few of these have been from the bench. I would not be surprised if he went back at the end of the year.
With us announcing signings like this in good time, is one of the benefits of knowing your status ahead of other teams. We are able to plan ahead of some teams, who have the middle 8's looming.
Personally, would rather have had a decent out and out third half back though, to provide cover and competition next year for Miller and Finn. I have mentioned him before, but Jamie Soward is on his way over to London, and is looking for a super league club for next year. I was looking at the comments on this board from other Super League clubs, and there are 5 sides that have been linked, 3 of which are in the bottom 4. The other two are in the lower reaches of the top 8. For us to improve on next season, we need to be looking at bringing in someone like him.
As for Hall and Jones-Bishop, they have both done enough for me, to warrant a contract extension, but wouldn't break the bank to keep them. If we did retain them, plus bring in Atkins, then our group of backs for 2017 are looking rather strong.
