HDM just tweeted best and final offer made to Manu as deal stalls. Bugger.

I think it's pretty much a cert that he's going.

Whilst the signing of ellis was a major coup, did we really need another back rower and how has his signing affected overall recruitment and retention?

:SHRUGS:

[url=http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Hull-tell-Manu-Deal-deal-ndash-s-final-offer/story-15837973-detail/story.htmlSafe to say he's gone[/url

"We can't offer him anymore, we have pushed the boat out and if we are beaten to his signature I know it will take an astronomical offer, otherwise Willie will be losing money."

Or you could say Ellis replaces Manu and if Manu goes we free up an "astronomical" amount of the salary cap. Don't get me wrong, I'll be gutted to lose Manu, but relatively speaking with Ellis, Tickle, Westerman, maybe Whiting and Aspinwall plus some academy players emerging, we have bigger holes in the squad. Full back, wing, centre and prop for starters.

Spot on, other players be wondering why he's on so much compared to them

Can't understand why he would go to Saints for less money, a few years ago I could...as it was almost a guaranteed chance of silverwear. But now Saints are in just as big a re-building phase as we are.

Doesn't sound good. You can't blame Manu for wanting the best deal but then again you'd think loyalty would play a part.

Either way we need to know ASAP, we don't want another Carvell situation.

Wouldn't mind a pack containing puletua, soliola and manu

Ellis is a better player than Manu so we've improved the backrow if he goes, if he stays we've improved it greatly.

If the players are 'upset' that the club have signed a genuine World-Class star (with wages to match his status in the game) then I hope the club point them in the direction of the Exit door. We want to improve the squad and win things, and we aren't going to do that by retaining the same squad.

Were does it say he is?

Because its Gareth Ellis.

Fair comment.

Spot on. All this rather have Manu talk is rubbish.

I'd like to have both though.

We will just to have to see but willie rarely misses games aswell unlike ellis who was dtarting to miss few games last season and started this one injured and now has a broken foit

Hull make best and final offer.

He hasn't signed.

In the past 3 seasons Ellis has missed 1 more league game then Manu, he's probably a bit worn out playing back to back rugby for 3 years.

He's having a little break now while his fracture mends, hopefully he'll be fresh as a daisy when he arrives.

Ellis and Tickle are workhorses. Manu is a line breaker.

However you dress it up losing Manu would be a huge blow.

This could be Ellis effect?

As ive just put on the wail site it would be a loss but im sure Gentle could find a more than adequate replacement over in Oz and with Westerman, Tickle, Ellis and possibly Aspinwall plus one more then im happy with the back row anyway. Its the front row that needs the most attention imo

Oh and weve now got Pitts as well

That's the way I see it. MAnu and tickle is a great combo. Tickle and ellis is also a great combo but neither have the abilities that manu does

Gutted, truly gutted

Losing McKinnon, O'Meley and Moa are bigger if we can't replace them.

It doesn't look good and an gutted, our best attacking player, plays 80 mins, never gets injured and is off quota. I honestly think he will be impossible to replace.