Rumoured Targets 3

[perverse]

Wasn’t it a prop or at least a fwd that was mentioned above that Miller was loosing ground to and Ponga ended up running him down as he crossed the try line

It was Fifita I think.

 

[Zoidberg]

It was Fifita I think.

Yeah, it was.

 

[aqua_duck]

Wasn’t it a prop or at least a fwd that was mentioned above that Miller was loosing ground to and Ponga ended up running him down as he crossed the try line

David Fifita who don’t get me wrong is damn quick for a forward but Miller gave him about a 5m head start and not only did Miller not make up any ground Fifita literally pulled away from him

 

[Burwood]

In fairness to Miller, he’d probably covered 15km playing fullback while Fifita was fresh after spending the match either hiding in the centres or saving his energy on the bench.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

This might be a bit nuts but could we consider KPP as a winger next year to replace Dom?

He is very similar physically to Dom and the times I've watched him this year for Wigan his defence has been fairly average. Could be a good way to ease him into the NRL although he'd need some work much like Dom did

 

[perverse]

This might be a bit nuts but could we consider KPP as a winger next year to replace Dom?

He is very similar physically to Dom and the times I've watched him this year for Wigan his defence has been fairly average. Could be a good way to ease him into the NRL although he'd need some work much like Dom did

Dom is also faster than lightning. KPP is probably slower than Miller, the poor bugger. Certainly in the nuts category for me yeah. If we can't find a better option than that we're in trouble.

Whoever comes in has to have the speed to finish our backline movements. We're not going to find another Dom overnight, but we can't put a sloth out there with the way we move the ball now either.

 

[Woody90]

This might be a bit nuts but could we consider KPP as a winger next year to replace Dom?

He is very similar physically to Dom and the times I've watched him this year for Wigan his defence has been fairly average. Could be a good way to ease him into the NRL although he'd need some work much like Dom did

I feel moving him to the wing would just halt his development as a back rower (the position we need him for) as you defend in a completely different way. I’d be working on his defence in NSW Cup and then aiming for short stints off the bench in FG.

I’d be more keen to play Pryce on the wing if we can’t sign anyone as he will have a much harder time finding a position, and he will at least be able to take bombs due to his history at fullback.

 

[mozza91]

I’d be leaning more towards Gagai on the wing and KPP in the centres.

 

[perverse]

I’d be leaning more towards Gagai on the wing and KPP in the centres.

Long term, it's in our best interest for him to be a backrower, so keep him there imo. Lucas made a real statement on the weekend with his performance. He looks quite ready for firsts now, so if KPP isn't ready for backrow in firsts then we wouldn't have to rush him. Ease him into firsts off the bench if necessary.

 

[macavity]

KPP isn’t a winger. Neither is Pryce long term.

I expect Tuala to start the season on the wing.

 

[slotmachine]

Pryce isn't a winger short term either.

I expect Dom's replacement isn't signed yet. Someone will get shaken lose over the next few months.

 

[Woody90]

Toohey said the last two roster spots will be for outside backs, so you’d assume they were still trying to sign a winger.

 

[Woosh]

I’d be leaning more towards Gagai on the wing and KPP in the centres.

I wouldn’t be tinkering too much on the right edge.
It is the best Newcastle has looked in decades.
Gagai has 22 line break assists this year. 9th overall in the NRL.
Newcastle still prominently attack to left more so to have that many is no mean feat.
Surely the club has 250k to find the next Will Walkbrick/Khan-Pereira in the lower grades or rugby 7s and just park him outside of Gagai.

As for KPP and Pyrce.. they shouldn’t be guaranteed a first grade spot next year.
Gamble has done more than enough to hold the 6 jersey for at least the first half of the season.
Unless KPP kills it during the preseason then Lucas should be the direct replacement for Fitzgibbon come round 1 next year.

 

[Knight Tales]

Interesting on Dom: was speaking with my old man who has a role within the Newcastle comp so knows a fair few staffers at the Knights. Apparently Dom’s Roosters contract is massive: only a bit more than the Knights in terms of $$$ but includes return business class flights for his whole family + accommodation to come out and visit twice per year, property and car and apparently clauses for more $ if the cap changes.

We were no chance. The salary cap evens out the playing field my ass. Everyone still on SM calling for him to back out of the deal need to get over it, he’d never back out of that.

That is interesting cos the current rumours suggest Dom’s brother was signed as the Roosters were panicking he was going to back out of his deal. He is not as keen to go as he was in February. He’ll go as the money is great plus the add ons. But I would not be surprised if he returns one day.

 

[Yosh]

I do like Tuala on the wing but he is more a finisher than a battering ram coming out of our own end. We need a battering ram so I hope we sign one.

 

[SamSepi0l]

This might be a bit nuts but could we consider KPP as a winger next year to replace Dom?

He is very similar physically to Dom and the times I've watched him this year for Wigan his defence has been fairly average. Could be a good way to ease him into the NRL although he'd need some work much like Dom did

Saw the height weight comparisons on twitter etc. I think the simplest response is yes, it is nuts.

 

[macavity]

I do like Tuala on the wing but he is more a finisher than a battering ram coming out of our own end. We need a battering ram so I hope we sign one.

He doesn't suit our style of play, but he is a good finisher and he is what we have.

We need to find the next Will Warbrick. I hope we are all over the rugby tournaments. There has to be the next great Melanesian winger in Fiji just waiting for a chance.

What an awful time to not have a head of recruitment.

 

[Rod]

I agree we don't need to panic and try to immediately replace Dom. Apparently Oates is asking for crazy money so we might as well wait for the right opportunity to come along, whether that's a veteran who'll do a job for a year or a junior who just needs a chance.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Tuala isn’t a bad substitute but he doesn’t make metres like Dom. I’m sure the club will be looking around throughout the offseason, always plenty of movement after the season finishes up.

 

[Yosh]

Tuala has some smarts about his play and is an excellent finisher. He has linked up superbly with Ponga a couple of times in the past for some spectacular tries as well. I'm not against it but I would like to see us target someone more in the battering ram mold.

A younger Hymel Hunt seems perfect.