I still think we're lighter in the backs than the forwards, particularly in terms of experience.

As it stands:

Tansey
Raynor
Hall
Yeaman
Briscoe
Calderwood
Turner

Long
Horne

vs
Berrigan
Dowes
Cusack
Lauaki
O'Meley
Fitzgibbon
Radford
Tickle
Manu
Burnett
Snitch?
Washbrook
Houghton

Whiting

I'd go for a quality overseas back looking at that squad TBH. I'd be OK if we end up with Sam, but think we're light in the backs.

Depending on whether or not Sam Moa is staying, I'd like to see Hame in the 2nd row, this would give us more power on the field at any one time and greater interchange possibilities.

I have to agree that we do look slightly lighter in the backs, but the thing is we don't want to suppress players like Hall, Briscoe and Tansey, who have potential and years ahead of them by buying players that would take their place.
Personally, I'd take Moa. Looks strong up front, and always gives his all.

After that, I'd be looking to sign some British backs, and bring reserve players like Briscoe through.

Plus people like Whiting can cover the backs/halves, and Washbrook can cover the Halves. Many of our backs like Tansey, Briscoe and Hall can cover several positions, and thus offers many different options, and Turner, if we get him, can cover both the backs, halves and lf.

TBH just because we have a quota spot doesn't mean we have to use it. Would rather rely on reserves and youngsters to cover injuries if required ala saints and leeds.


We also have whiting capable of covering the backs.

would rather we went after the young british talent from other clubs to swell our ranks if we need to sign any more players along with big sam

our squads been unbalanced for years. we do need a back adding, as well as jack briscoe, but we dont want it to be detrimental to the progress of tom or craig.

we could do with someone who can play hooker,half back to a good standard that would prevent us moving berrigan to 7 if longs out or relying on houghton to do 80 mins at hooker when berrigans injured.

tansey is a option at both positions but we cant be moving our full back around every other game unless we have massive faith in jack briscoe.

Kingy mulling over a 4 year offer from Barrow.

In related news shares in Jennings Brewery soar to record highs.

cant understand this lets sign sam moa up now talk, maybe we are looking at other avenues, with the players we have coming in do we need another impact prop, we do look light in our back division and imagine how much a decent overseas player could the bring the likes of briscoe etc on. Just my opinion of course

Steve Snitch has signed for Cas, not FC, to be announced shortly.

Looks like Tickle will be staying then.

Without BIG SAM signing we have one impact prop in ORC who we dont know what game time with injuries where gunna get out of him!!! YAK and DOWES are no more than work horses with no real impact. Yes their tackle counts are high, yes their minutes on the pitch are high ( Yak-when fit). They give no raw aggression and do not take in 3/4 defenders when running.
MOA gives big impact, runs the ball on the burst and keeps the ball alive in the middle of the park. Stronger front rowers allow (drawing in tacklers and off loading) the second rows to run wider in the centre channels and with Hulk and Manu destroy opposing centres. If anything a move to first grade rugby will be enough to bring on young jack that bit further been around Long, Fitz, Raynor and others. A world class stand off if anything needed in the backs but I feel we will be working with Horne and washy competing next year at 6. just my opinion of course

welcome to the forum sam

i was thinking the same, him or hame.

Said in the press he had turned Cas down to join us. I wouldnt be disappointed either way to be honest.

Just how i feel.

Be a big loss to let sam go. I dont think we do have to many props we have Yak,dowes,lauaki and ogre what if 1 or 2 get injured ? Also yak only got 1 more year left and sam only 23 . Be great to bring lauaki and sam off the bench

We do look a little light in the backs but if we add Sam Moa to next season's already strong pack, IMO, we will have the best pack in SL.

Every good team starts with a good pack and that pack with big Sam would be easily the best pack that we've seen at Hull for many years. It would also make it much easier to bring in young players like T&J Briscoe, C Hall, R Lynne etc.. because with a dominant pack, those young kids would be able to express themselves much more while being "looked after" by some monsters up front.

If we can pick up one or two British backs then fine, but a huge pack, IMO, should always be the first priority.

I agree. The best backs and half backs in the world can do little if they are playing behind a beaten pack.

The issue isn't always size, an agressive, mobile, pack can also dominate, we need more agression up front, which I am led to believe the signings we've made will bring.

I agree but in O'Meley, Lauaki, Moa, Fitz, and Manu we will have more size, aggression, impact and intimidation than any other pack in SL.

It's not just about size but that pack would be a fantastic platform for whatever back line that we put behind it.

Sign up big Sam and then worry about finding one or two backs because that pack would enable us to take the odd liberty or two with our backline, perhaps in the shape of a Lynne or a J Briscoe being able to come through and shine.

IMO, it would be a win-win situation.

I agree totally and it's one of the main reasons why we've struggled so much.

Fitz and O'meley arent scared to give it a bit of biff it needs be...add to that Moa (if he stays),Radford and Houghton.....we will have a pack that will be aggresive.....this season we are top of the fair league table....hope we arent next season.

Fack the Fair League Table, you don't win anything by being a nice namby pamby pack. Bring on the big units and lets see some BIFF at the KC next season

Spot on......how many punch ups have there been in the last few matches and the packs performance v Quins was best for a long whilwe.

Best hang onto Josh Cordoba then !!