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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 534303" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>Right, my thoughts on the squad:</p><p></p><p><strong>Props/hookers</strong>: As predicted.</p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Locks</strong>: Again, as predicted. As has been suggested the 32nd will most likely be a lock - Verbakel and Paulo are definitely options, though I wouldn't mind if they took a punt and went for someone like young Michael Fatialofa.</p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Loosies: </strong>Not at all happy with our selections here. I would have thought Joseph as a former loose-forward would be an expert in this area, but I think he was completely missed the mark. I was disappointed in Boys signing - he is solid, but not much more. Wheeler and Hoeata look to be battling for the 6 position - hopefully Wheeler can get through the season uninjured! The two backup 8 options really confuse me. Dixon has been with the squad for 2 years but has played about 10 minutes of rugby (largely due to injury). He may have some talent, but I would rather have someone who is likely to be fit! Parangatai is a complete WTF? selection. He was a solid NPC player 5 years ago, but is now a 32 year old who hasn't played top class rugby for years.....</p><p></p><p><strong>Halves: </strong>Tanaka is a great signing, and Parkers deserves his contract after a superb season with Otago.</p><p></p><p><strong>Midfield: </strong>Slightly surprised we signed Burliegh given we already have plenty of cover in this area, but he is certainly a handy guy to have around if we have a few injuries (as Emery may not be quite ready yet).</p><p></p><p><strong>Outside backs: </strong> Disappointing (but predictable) that we let Baker go. Popoali'i deserves a shot, though his lack of size is still a bit of a concern. I'm not convinced by the O'Donnell signing. He is a good player, but he does have a habit of going too high into contact and turning the ball over. I wonder whether we would have been better going for another (alongside Gear) more powerful wing option (Ben Lam or Tino Nemani) to complement our smaller wings (Poki and Popoali'i).</p><p></p><p>Overall I'm pretty happy though (apart from a few loose forward picks) - bring on 2013!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 534303, member: 24910"] Right, my thoughts on the squad: [B]Props/hookers[/B]: As predicted. [B] Locks[/B]: Again, as predicted. As has been suggested the 32nd will most likely be a lock - Verbakel and Paulo are definitely options, though I wouldn't mind if they took a punt and went for someone like young Michael Fatialofa. [B] Loosies: [/B]Not at all happy with our selections here. I would have thought Joseph as a former loose-forward would be an expert in this area, but I think he was completely missed the mark. I was disappointed in Boys signing - he is solid, but not much more. Wheeler and Hoeata look to be battling for the 6 position - hopefully Wheeler can get through the season uninjured! The two backup 8 options really confuse me. Dixon has been with the squad for 2 years but has played about 10 minutes of rugby (largely due to injury). He may have some talent, but I would rather have someone who is likely to be fit! Parangatai is a complete WTF? selection. He was a solid NPC player 5 years ago, but is now a 32 year old who hasn't played top class rugby for years..... [B]Halves: [/B]Tanaka is a great signing, and Parkers deserves his contract after a superb season with Otago. [B]Midfield: [/B]Slightly surprised we signed Burliegh given we already have plenty of cover in this area, but he is certainly a handy guy to have around if we have a few injuries (as Emery may not be quite ready yet). [B]Outside backs: [/B] Disappointing (but predictable) that we let Baker go. Popoali'i deserves a shot, though his lack of size is still a bit of a concern. I'm not convinced by the O'Donnell signing. He is a good player, but he does have a habit of going too high into contact and turning the ball over. I wonder whether we would have been better going for another (alongside Gear) more powerful wing option (Ben Lam or Tino Nemani) to complement our smaller wings (Poki and Popoali'i). Overall I'm pretty happy though (apart from a few loose forward picks) - bring on 2013! [/QUOTE]
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