2017 Player Contracts

[Sheikh]

Would anyone throw any other "convert" in the deep end at 13 straight off in Super Rugby?

I think we did the same with Ryan Cross

[Alison]

Is there any reason Gus Cottrell was not mentioned along side the other backrowers? Have I missed something that important

Pretty sure he's done his knee so may be out for a long time

[shasta]

I think we did the same with Ryan Cross

Ryan Cross played 2 seasons Aus Schoolboys Rugby before going to League.

[Sheikh]

And Rona has played more than 2 seasons of rugby (including schoolboy) before going to League, too.

I'm not saying that throwing a league star in to the centres immediately is a good thing, but we've done it before and with reasonable success (Cross made Wallaby, IIRC). As Rona has some experience, it wouldn't be as big a leap slotting him into the side as it would be for someone like Greg Inglis (a great player, but I think with no experience of union, although we were rumoured to be trying to sign him back in ~2009).

I'm not sure Rona even makes the first XV immediately. We have Meakes and Tapuai in the centres and Brache, Morahan and DHP as the back three. Rona doesn't have to get thrown in at the deep end - he can learn the positions from the bench.

[Kalahard]

Rona goes straight on the left wing for me. We struggle to score tries. Rona has a great strike rate with 40 tries in 55 games of NRL. Brache has 3 tries in 40 games. No brainer to me.
My backline, with current signings, i would go: 9 Louwrens 10 Lance 11 Rona 12 Taps 13 Meakes 14 Morahan 15 DHP.
My forwards, with current signings, would be: 1 Pek 2 (Scoble, no hookers signed) 3 Ainsley 4 RHP 5 Coleman 6 Naisarani 7 Hardwick 8 McCalman.

Hooker is open as we have no hookers currently signed. As soon as hes re signed Scoble goes in. *Like i said current signings.*

[MI5_Dog]

Not a bad looking team there Kala
A bit more power in the front row and it's almost like the Force have the cattle to make a complete mess of the new season.

[James]

Kala- Faulkner in for Ainsley, Hodgson at 7 and maybe Matwijow in for RHP. Otherwise I love it.

[Kalahard]

I would start Ainsley to put a rocket up Faulkner. Faulkner has regressed since his Wallabies call up a couple years back. Ainsley gives us better ball carries and a better workrate in defense.
Matwijow to 4, RHP to 6 works for me.
I didn't pick Hodgson as i was going on signed players only. When Hodgson is signed i would give Hodgo and Hardwick a 50/50 split of gametime.

Im still a bit concerned with the holes we have in our list signings wise. Pre season is only 3/4 weeks away.

[James]

Faulkner was injured coming into 2016 season, not sure about 2015. Maybe two years in the wilderness will have him fresh and firing.

[westies man]

I would start Ainsley to put a rocket up Faulkner. Faulkner has regressed since his Wallabies call up a couple years back. Ainsley gives us better ball carries and a better workrate in defense.
Matwijow to 4, RHP to 6 works for me.
I didn't pick Hodgson as i was going on signed players only. When Hodgson is signed i would give Hodgo and Hardwick a 50/50 split of gametime.

Im still a bit concerned with the holes we have in our list signings wise. Pre season is only 3/4 weeks away.

Ainsley has taken part in 4 NRC matches for a playing total of 140 minutes, total ruck involvements-16,average 1 every 9 minutes, nowhere near busy enough. Needs to lose the 600 dollar haircut and roll his sleeves up.
Hodgo is retarding the development of Hardwick/Koteka.Was a real warrior but we need to look to the future.

[GAFFA]

Based on NRC performances you would take Lionie before Ainsley and the saffa bloke (the red head bloke can't remember his name)

[GIGS20]

Mees Erasmus?

[westies man]

Needs to learn his day job, does that and he could be anything.

[Sheikh]

No-one's mentioned Ben Daley. He's a loose-head, so may be battling Pek for the 1 jersey, but Pek has played both sides of the scrum. Alternatively, they play a half each.

[sandgroperrugby]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/su...73761c1d6e4e4e

Foxsports.com.au: Where are you at with completing your playing roster?

Wessels: We’ve probably got another one or two surprises in the pipeline that will come out in the next couple of days, hopefully.

But I’m very pleased with the way that the squad is shaping up.

I feel like we’ve got some nice depth there and certainly Naisarani and Curtis Rona will be great additions for us in particular.

Foxsports.com.au: What positions are you looking to fill?

Wessels: We’re looking for some outside backs.