Originally Posted by
GIGS20
Riffing off your list, I have several thoughts
Players yet to be confirmed for 2024 include:
Siosifa Amone - They either are deep in negotiations with Sifa or completely insane (I guess the other option is that they're almost ready to announce a brace of tightheads and Sifa is surplus) Sifa has done extremely well for a young, fringe, prospect and should be considered the future.
Santiago Medrano - Fairly confident the Argies will want him playing in Europe for the greater number of games and focus on set piece. I'd be preparing for him to go.
Andrew Romano - heard nothing, don't have anything of value to add to the conversation
Ned Slack-Smith - Jeez he's gotta be getting close to a full contract isn't he? he's been around for ages and seems to kill it every time he takes the field in U20. shame there's such a stacked backrow forming.
Henry Robertson - I don't like his chances, we have Prior still on contract, White coming in and Fines Leleiwasa as the medium term superstar. To fit him into the squad they'd need to release Prior wouldn't they?
Manasa Mataele, Rupeni Mataele - only based upon the fluff piece that the Mataele's filmed for Stan you'd have to think they're motivated to stay, but Manasa finished the season a bit underwhelming. Maybe the powers that be will consider moving him on. To do that would likely mean saying goodbye to Martha and that would be unacceptable.
Jake Strachan - Solid and a good backup, but is he being contracted out of a spot? We've bought a 10 who can play 15 and has a gold jersey, so surely we'll be moving a 10 who can play 15 on. That might be Jake it might not!
Tony Pulu - Must keep, must also keep him fit. When he's firing he's our most dangerous player, when he isn't it's because he's injured.
Daniel Alla - What is he now 21? Hasn't made an impact on the matchday squad and we've signed internationals to fill the role he fills two seasons in a row. I think the writing might be on the wall for Daniel.
Zack Kibirige - It was a one year loan deal wasn't it. I'm sure he'll be wanted back if that's the case. He's too good for his home club to just release.
Isi Naisarani - He's not as necessary as he was this year with Harris coming in, but one injury and he becomes the last line of defence.
Grayson Makara - Not sure what happened here, he was looking the goods and then we saw nothing of him. With Poolman's early struggles you'd haver to think injury played a part.
Bryce Hegarty - Great bloke, but he's GAWN. we have too many 10s who are better than him, he'd leave before Strachan if the team were mine (purely on age and speed, nothing personal)
George Poolman - Should stay, because it's not his fault he was thrown to the wolves due to injuries of others. I think he was starting to come good towards the end and might have fought his way through the haze. If his minutes can be controlled and he can be used to do one thing and get good at it, he'll be a good prospect and cheap, because nobody else will want him.
The Rugby Wrap confirmed that Reece Tapine has already been released, which is one winger gone, maybe there'll be room for one of the wingers above to have another year.
It's about time to announce some new signings isn't it?