Looking at what is available out there and what our main problems are in order of priority:
- Fullback: Tomkins or Widdop, unless someone like Kahu get a red hot go at it. I don't think Hoffman is the bloke for the job...
- Hooker: Internally, either by moving Wallace there or giving Baptiste a red hot crack. Btw, while still a rookie and very green, Jayden Berrell of the U20's is a gun.
- Halves: Hunt should be given a chance alongside Prince if Wallace is moved to the 9, but Prince is nearing his career anyway, so I'd take the gamble with Carney. I've heard good things about this kid Nikorima, but haven't seen him play yet...
- Backs: We've been pretty unlucky with injuries, but if Yow Yeh manages a comeback to full fitness, we have a very capable bunch of backs in Hoffman, Copley, Hodges, Yow Yeh and Kahu, with Reed, Maranta, Berryman and Kemp as a backup, I don't see the need for external recruitment, even if I agree with @
Pigskin about Jack Wighton. The kid has something special.
- Front row: Once again, I think we are well served in that department with Hannant, McGuire, Anderson, Dodds and I would move Parker in there too, even if we need to bring some more impact on the bench with the likes of Hala, Timu, Wallace and Molo.
- Second row: Same as above, with Thaiday, Glenn, Gillett, Stagg, Macca (yeah yeah, I know how hilarious this is, although no one has been able to explain why) and a couple of very handy backups in Gibb, Lui, Slyney besides the up and coming kids from the U20's with Corey Oates leading the ranks.
Conclusion: I don't think we need more than a couple of surgical strikes on the market to become a contender, and I would say that Widdop/Tomkins for fullback and Carney (or possibly Shaun Johnson) for the halves would be all we need...