Jesus, where have we come to. Clarkson, Keinhorst, Beswick, O'Brien, oh jesus wept. If we were really going for such desperate options as that, what the hell is wrong in backing our own player in Robbie Ward. He might well prove not to be up to it, but my god he is a damn site better option than those suggested.

What happened to those saying Ballin was our man?

injured at the weekend he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament means he could be out for 6 to 8 months depending and how he heals and gets back in traing

Yes but six months out at this stage of season, is hardly as bad as going with the options suggested. Would rather go with that and trust in Ward in the meantime.

Maybe Brierley will spend some time at 9 with Sutcliffe and McGuire in the halves.

Balin runs a personal training business away from RL so I'd assume he'll leave no stone unturned in his recovery - it certainly wouldn't put me off signing him as he's far and away the best out there in terms of availability and names mentioned, however I still don't think he'd come to the UK. His PT business is well established and I doubt he'd move to the other side of the world and leave that behind, plus I'm sure he'll have plenty of suitors in the NRL - he's probably still one of the top hookers in the game.

and as slow as McShane at getting to the play the ball.

Robbie Farah has been given permission to speak to other clubs for next season. Personally can't see him leaving the NRL but do people think we might be interested?

Would be very expensive in wages and there'll be competition for him, but... www.zerotackle.com/nrl/robbie-fa ... Z9VfZrZ.97 (Also, whichever NRL club he signs for will have to get rid of a hooker)

Would be very expensive in wages and there'll be competition for him, but... www.zerotackle.com/nrl/robbie-fa ... Z9VfZrZ.97 (Also, whichever NRL club he signs for will have to get rid of a hooker)

can't believe Farah is only 31, one of those players who seems to have been around forever.

South Sydney I reckon replacing Isaac Luke.

Can't see Farrah coming to SL. Could trigger release of another NRL hooker tho'

Farah is too big for his boots at the Tigers, this is the best thing for the Wests club, the 3 things that are bigger than his wages are his head, his ego and the massive chip on his shoulder.

He is not Rhinos material IMO.

Yes please. Let's get Luke

Signed for NZ Warriors.

Isn't thomas Luluia the current NZ HOOKER. Wasn't he at the Leeds Wigan game. Would he be available if Luke is going there. No idea how old he is now

Just checked only 30

To describe the Wests statement on the Farah situation as "abrupt" is putting it politely.

He's been out most of the year. Friend has been playing hooker for them

Leuluai will be playing half-back for Warriors next year, maybe a bit of back-up hooker.

There still isn't anyone available from the NRL other than an injured Ballin and whoever Farah displaces at the club he signs for (if it's Souths then that won't really be anyone, they'll keep McInnes as a prospect for the future)

Lunt, it will be interesting to see his performance this Saturday. If he has a blinder and has still not signed for rovers. Splash the cash and our hooking problem is solved.

www.zerotackle.com/nrl/top-10-re ... qGWyDQs.97 This would suggest Manly have another hooker and Ballin is on the move.

www.zerotackle.com/nrl/top-10-re ... qGWyDQs.97 This would suggest Manly have another hooker and Ballin is on the move.

he was told he could leave a week or two back

Farah is exactly the type of signing the 'marquee' allowance should be used on at a Super League club. He's easily in the top 5 hookers in the game - and his style would be fantastic fit for Super League. However, there's not a cat in hells chance he'll leave the NRL right now - Wests are still going to need to pay a large chunk of his salary over the next 2 years, which means an NRL club will jump at the opportunity to get him fairly cheap compared to his actual market value. He's the incumbent NSW hooker, and although has been easily outshone by Ennis at club level this year (Ennis is the form 9 in the NRL), Farah will 100% keep his Blues jersey if fit - there's no pressure on him from any youngsters right now for that spot, so he's not going to walk away from that - both from a career aspirational perspective and from a monetary perspective (Origin games pay a fortune on top of his club salary).

I got the impression he's asked to leave...if so why would Wests pay any of his salary

He is contracted for two more years but Wests have told him to listen for other offers - while he rots in reserve grade. But either way - he has close to a $1m salary (allegedly) that needs paying and he is well within rights to sit on his bottom and take the cash. So yes Wests will likely be paying part of his salary for whichever club takes him.

The media here linking him to Super League.