macdone wrote:We always need to develop our academy players but having only young, developing scrum halves isn't healthy. Galbraith is miles off the standard required IMO. If anyone we should be trying to get Paddy Kelly.
We need to sign 3 quality players as I see it - a 9, 12 and 15. Gilco and Manu, possibly Hardie should be sacrificed.
So in summary it would be :
Forwards:
Manu - replaced by McInally
McInally - replaced by a 4th choice hooker
Fihaki - replaced by Miller
Gilco - replaced by Hunter-Hill
Beavon - replaced by McCallum
Backs:
Allen - replaced by Bennett
Helu - replaced by Graham
Kennedy - replaced by experienced 9
Bryce - replaced by a quality 15
Burleigh - replaced by a tough 12
Spending would be needed on a 9, 12 and 15 - the scrum half being the priority. The 12 would be much needed defensive leader. In my dreams maybe but that's what we need IMO.
I think your new broom would likely have to be done over two seasons, as Fihaki, Bryce and Burleigh are all in contract until 2018.
If the 5 backs who are out of contract are not renewed, I think the backs picture is close to what you have got but probably along the lines of:-
1st XV
15 - Kinghorn
14 - Brown/Hoyland
13 - Bennett (replacing Allen)
12 - Burleigh
11 - New winger (replacing Helu)*
10 - Weir
9 - New scum half (replacing Kennedy)
2nd XV
15 - Bryce G
14 - Hoyland/Brown
13 - Rasolea
12 - Dean
11 - Scholes
10 - Tovey
9 - SHC
Back-ups:
Back 3 - Graham (replacing Northam, assuming he's OOC)
Centre - Tofilau or replacement
Half back - Fowles
* Will Helu was the replacement for Visser IIRC, in the big, hard-running, try-scoring winger mode. (28 starts in two seasons at Wasps, 70 points/14 tries). It hasn't worked out quite as planned, mainly due to injury, but I'd think the coaches would be looking for a similar type of winger, as there are already three smaller guys to do the dazzling Tommy Seymour-type stuff on the faster wing, in Brown, Hoyland and Graham.