Re: Overseas players. Ex Martin so we need them? : Thu Sep 29, 2022 11:23 am  

Prior was at fault for Sts' first try in not moving across fast enough to cover Lomax. That was in the first few minutes, and one of his strengths was his mobility. If he's lost that he'll be frankly very little use, as he's always been a bit lightweight for a 'middle'.

Re: Overseas players. Ex Martin so we need them? : Thu Sep 29, 2022 11:55 am  

Bullseye wrote:

When Smith was with us briefly he brought in some great overseas players. I imagine he's got plenty of contacts down under and will choose wisely.

He'll have to, given he's only got the one quota spot (not to mention no cap, if GH is to be believed) to play with..

Re: Overseas players. Ex Martin so we need them? : Thu Sep 29, 2022 12:39 pm  

I think Smith will use Prior more sparingly next season if Holroyd can stay healthy we have signed Sangare plus im also expecting Walters to feature more than the 10 appearances this season.

Re: Overseas players. Ex Martin so we need them? : Thu Sep 29, 2022 1:16 pm  

How much input to signings do our coaches get, wouldn't want GH to have to give up his regular "business trips" down under.

Re: Overseas players. Ex Martin so we need them? : Thu Sep 29, 2022 8:28 pm  

Most Leeds coaches have been happy to trust Hetherington's judgement, given he's an ex top flight Head Coach with a pretty sound track record of identifying players. But they've certainly had plenty of input anyway.

It actually seems like Smith is managing the salary cap himself to some degree which probably ties in with GH not wanting to do the DOR role any more anyway - which was of course the plan until Sinfield decided desk jobs weren't for him.

Re: Overseas players. Ex Martin so we need them? : Thu Sep 29, 2022 9:35 pm  

GH's business trips aren't all bad he brought in RS and I was a sceptic at that point. RS also seems to have sorted the discipline so I expect Tet, Fusita and Bentley to play more matches next year, subject to the vagaries of the MRP of course

Re: Overseas players. Ex Martin so we need them? : Fri Sep 30, 2022 1:19 am  

GH shouldn't be sourcing any overseas players. Our recent record is not good at all. Most of GH's trips to Aus have been made after the better available players have been snapped up, and there seems to be no plan at all to the approach to signing players. Whoever they are, they ought to be amongst the best players in the comp in their positions. Not really something we can say about any of our current crop, except maybe Martin and Sezer (Fusitu'a may get there but needs to get fit and actually play some games).

Smith seems to watch a hell of a lot of rugby, and was coaching in Queensland until April. He'll have far better understanding of what's needed and who might fit the bill than GH, who hasn't coached a side for more than 25 years.

Re: Overseas players. Ex Martin so we need them? : Fri Sep 30, 2022 7:26 am  

fanstanningley wrote:

I think Smith will use Prior more sparingly next season if Holroyd can stay healthy we have signed Sangare plus im also expecting Walters to feature more than the 10 appearances this season.

We have good options at prop next season to cover injuries and form, no longer will we have to play players because there is no one else.

Re: Overseas players. Ex Martin so we need them? : Fri Sep 30, 2022 9:53 am  

Agree with the comments about Prior in the GF. Thought he looked old in that game sadly. Saints were too fast and too strong for him.

Re: Overseas players. Ex Martin so we need them? : Fri Sep 30, 2022 12:20 pm  

rollin thunder wrote:

We have good options at prop next season to cover injuries and form, no longer will we have to play players because there is no one else.

Cullen retired, has he?