Coaching in RL is soo one dimensional. Every team plays the same way. When will a Pep Guardiola type of manager emerge and produce a team with a completely contrasting style that changes RL.
Tony Smith is having a go at Hull KR with a more expansive game.
Superb news re Logan Tomkins, and a 2 year contract is a real bonus too! Got a quality and experienced front row next year. Notice that Jodie Broughton and Tommy Lee have been let go by Halifax, wonder if either would be on our radar? Lee as an interchange hooker in particular? (Has been with Sheens before).
Don't see much value in getting Lee in. Tomkins can play 80 mins, and if not, it would be better to bring through a young hooker from the academy, as we seemed to be starting to do last season.
I will say this from the key positions, Owens, Craven, Smith, Tomkins and Baker, we probably have the strongest spine in the division compounded by Jewit and Cook two experienced aggressive props.
A top 5 finish should be the minimum.
Ivan Cleary and Trent Barrett have got the panthers playing some pretty slick and exciting rugby.
I think when we see a team with Tim Sheens stamp on it the brand of rugby will be a lot more fluent.
Pretty clear that there is 'intent' there - something to get excited about!
At least two more props, three for security, second rows are up for grabs atm but they need to be fit in todays game.
Sam Walter's on loan? Leeds struggling a bit though.
A young hooker to grow would be sensible for the future or simply as cover.
Good to be looking forwards though!
Has Dugdale gone as thought about a youthful halfback, or hooker possibly to give Tomkins a rest, especially if he got injured then we would need cover. Love to see Johnson signed the winger.
A poster said he's left the game. Certainly had talent but lacked size. Some grow and some don't!
These days a chunky scrum half makes a hooker usually. Lost track of our youngsters atm.
It looks as if we are working through the present group, whether in any particular order I don't know. Hatton looked the part and could progress this year.
Most of our squad appear to have jobs with RL topping up their earnings and the present moans about Toronto's pay record should ring alarm bells for them and others. Those lads could have taken on mortgages etc that are now out of their reach, not a happy place to be.
It'd be a crying shame if Dugdale has left the game.
We did have a couple of young(ish) hookers that featured, Wood and Hulme IIRC. Neither did themselves any harm.
Ottawa have now confirmed Pat Moran.
It’d be a crying shame if Dugdale has left the game. We did have a couple of young(ish) hookers that featured, Wood and Hulme IIRC. Neither did themselves any harm. Ottawa have now confirmed Pat Moran.
Lewis Hulme, wasn't it? Forgot about him!
At least we look as if we will have some protection for a youngster in the pack if needed.
Matty Smith signed
A great start to the weekend. Splendid news.
A great start to the weekend. Splendid news.
Yes indeed!!!
Not messing around are we.
Potentially more quality in the starting 13 than the team we got relegated with.
Agreed Viking25, much better squad. Shouldn’t be surprising though because, at last, we have a knowledgable and experienced coach.