Just what we needed a nice big prop - first job done by Woolford.

Highlights https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IdF2DVaZv ... fullscreen Just what we need. Hard runs from kick offs and drop outs. Fab. Got some ,mongrel in him from tough childhood

Highlights https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IdF2DVaZv ... fullscreen Just what we need. Hard runs from kick offs and drop outs. Fab. Got some ,mongrel in him from tough childhood

much needed punch power in the pack, far too lightweight right now

only 5ft 10 bit like ikahihifo in terms of stature

if we can get matagi, taai, ikahihifo and clough all propping at the same time that would be good.

not sure when hes here yet but is imagine hes on his way...maybe too late to save us from the middle 8's

He’s not joining until next season. No details as to how long he’s signed for. Interesting guy if you read his story below. Seems keen to make a mark. Suaia Matagi said: "I am extremely excited to take my football to the next level under the leadership of Coach Simon Woolford and I’m also looking forward to the challenge of playing in the English Super League. Joining a proud Club like the Huddersfield Giants is a privileged and I will represent our fans to the best of my ability.” https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-pl ... 30nkk.html

He’s not joining until next season. No details as to how long he’s signed for. Interesting guy if you read his story below. Seems keen to make a mark. Suaia Matagi said: "I am extremely excited to take my football to the next level under the leadership of Coach Simon Woolford and I’m also looking forward to the challenge of playing in the English Super League. Joining a proud Club like the Huddersfield Giants is a privileged and I will represent our fans to the best of my ability.” https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-pl ... 30nkk.html

Great to get another prop on board for next year, exactly what we needed.

Id say our starting props should be English, Matagi, Seb & Taai. Clough great to come in for rotation but with another pre season Engglish should have improved further. With Bruno, Dickinson, Smith, Walne, Roche & Kirby in the squad at prop id say its likely Roche and Walne could leave at seasons end.

I think we need another 3 signings. We need a half, 2nd rower and a winger.

Unfortunately, yes I would sacrifice Ryan Hinchliffe to improve the squad further as Turner and Smith could both play at Loose.

I wonder if Shuttleworth is his agent

No tyran Smith who also manages Zac Woolford

Just watched his highlights. If he plays like that then he matches the description of the kind of forward we need 100%. Runs like Sam Moa, but faster! Looking forward to seeing some of that brute force effort in the Superleague. He will find if he runs like that he will bust loads more tackles than he did on the highlights in the NRL. But 100% what we need, fast, direct, fast PTB and plenty of mongrel.

Certainly looks good on that Video, The game over there is played at a different level to here, so should be a very good player.

seemed to be on the fringes of the parramatta first 17-19 this season

these south sea islanders/nz players i like and they are pretty reliable, more so than the aussies!

rapira, faiumu, ikahihifo and the like have been good for us and hope matagi is too

had an interesting career/life so far!

so is this the new saviour from newsome

I assume all this is dependant on us still being in S league next season , and he gets a visa without any trouble, Iv'e never seen either mentioned, but Apologies if i have missed it somewhere.

announce matagi but not uate... might be saving that one for when they announce ticket sales for next season!

May come over to find himself far down the pecking order this Matagi.

According to some of our fans on twitter Bruno "cant be left out" and " everyone needs a player like Clough in the starting 17"

So which 2 of Taai, Matagi, English and Seb join Clough and Bruno in our starting 17?

Ta’ai has always been at his most destructive as a wide running second row and scores tries off good runs and angles in the opponents 20. He has the power and build to also play prop but offers more in the back row for me.

Mike Lawrence should always have been groomed for the 13 shirt playing 80 mins but lost his go forward under Anderson and has picked up a lot of injuries over the last couple of years maybe down to being over bulked up which would explain the loss of that speed from when he was a centre.

Woolford and taai himself both see taai as a prop.
For me Lawrence should play 13.

He wouldn’t get in before Hinchcliffe for me as Hinchcliffe tackles as much and can run far better

its a good job we dont get injuries!



its a squad game nowadays sure most will get a run of games

As things stand hinchy won’t be here next year.

Would be suicidal to not offer him a new deal.

Oh I agree - but many of our fans things he brings little and want shut.

Jools, but what if we have someone's better lined up who would improve the team more?

We might. Do you thing LF is an area we should be targeting. We have one decent centre, no second row forwards that can pass a ball, one decent half back who’s retiring next year, and a fill in fullback.

Me personally, I would sacrifice Hinchy. Not because hes a bad player, but because I do think we can strengthen further.

Id look at moving either Bruno/Smith or Turner to loose.

I think we need a half first and foremost.

We do need a new full back but cant see that happening while we have Rankin and Gaskell on the books. I think 2nd row is where we would likely improve further because as you say - none of them can pass a ball.