I definitely wouldn’t say “his defence has finally come right” and i think he’s probably one of our poorer defenders but he’s certainly up there in the attacking stakes. Someone who i think we should keep on as he offers that utility option. Something we’ve never really done previously is manufacture a lock forward. I wonder if Hiku could be worked into such a role? His fitness would have to improve big time but he’s got the size and is certainly good with the ball in hand. His defence might be better playing in the middle as well
Burr gone at end of season https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/leagu...irms-hell-leave-warriors-at-end-of-nrl-season Hikus been offered a contract but for less money. Milne is gone. I think someone said he was at Souths. Frei, Pulu, Keighran unlikely to be offered new deals. IP is shopping around for another NRL club.
Hooker still looking shallow for me - unless the decision on Roache means we have someone else lined up.
Hopefully getting all their ducks in a row for a massive shot at our future forward leader and hooker Brandon Smith. Our 2nd $1mil player right there. Melbourne won’t fit Smith, Smith and Grant into their squad next season.
Cam Smith has one year left to play at best. The Cheese has more 10yrs ahead of him. Hoping Gus can pull a ‘Phil Gould special’ and get it over the line
They can all go tbh. Nobody on that off contract list is a must keep. The ? Is who we are replacing them with.
Hopefully Buntys kept on as think he’ll be an absolute star within coming years. He’s only young and props usually don’t come into their own until a little bit older. Will be gutted if he was shipped off
I think he's a solid prop, pretty meat and potatoes, tuck the ball up the shirt, old fashioned these days for a prop. His D is a bit sus on our try line, and isn't much of a tackle breaker. But I would still keep him, age on his side, more than solid off the bench and seems to have a good attitude. Maybe he's on a bigger contract than we would expect, because I don't why we would wan't to dump him. That or we have a string of forwards we are about to sign/upgrade..
Bunty has been told hes free to move for next season. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/leagu...FgHws_uQkfzDEzF9I7TsrtWLfrea0SyE9IvD-sPsYJQqQ
Interesting we’re clearing out a lot of our fringe players who you’d think would have a spot within the top 30. Maybe they’re all paid to much coin and club needs to free up coin for bigger targets? Guess with the reported numbers on their way out it means there’s a bunch to signings to come
Bunty worth keeping more than many... but good on them if they’re having a clean out, Kearney left a cluster f**k
That article also mentioned they are still trying to come to an arrangement with Rudolph. Currently our prop rotation is BMM, Ah Mau, Evans, Paasi and JTB. Need some depth for injuries and Afoa would have been that depth. Unless they are confident of still getting Rudolph?
