Will we see this more often in the future now do you think? I know the difference is negligible nowadays but this selection stood out for me.

Wouldn't surprised if we did. He could probably do a good job as a Graham style ball handling prop. Great hands close to the line and showed against New Zealand that he can score from those kind of positions.

And makes it easier to spell him in 20-30 minute breaks.

I thought it was a great move. It doesn't change his role much and it gets Bateman in the middle where he's at his best.



Id go as far as to say we could well make it permenant.

Great idea putting the most important, yet fragile player, we have in a position where he'll take more hits.



How about this for a novel idea - we actually just sign a decent prop...

At loose forward he plays in the middle, at prop he'll also play in the middle. He played less minutes then usual tonight as well.



He's not fragile in the sense that he's breaking bones or missing games due to impact injuries. He misses games due to muscle pulls and strains mainly and i don't see a move from 13 to 10 increasing the chance of them really.



The signing a prop bit I agree with.

So much for our strength in depth.

Apart from Flower we don't have a another decent prop on the books unless Sutton comes through.

I've seen more go forward in an Italian Infantry

Nothing wrong with Tony Clubb, would like to see us sign a good prop though. Italian infantry made me chuckle

Anyone know why Mossop was missing? Did he not get selected or was he injured?

Well I thought Lockers caused them problems but I agree, it highlights an issue of strength in depth. If Lockers can get a game at prop and looks better than just about all of them bar Flower doesn't this tell Wane something?

O'Loughlin went well tonight and this could very well be his new position.



As things stand though these are my thoughts on majority of our props:



Ben Flower is our best prop. Not the biggest bloke but difficult to handle and a workhorse. A real credit to the club.



Tony Clubb has surpassed everyones expectations since we signed him. Maybe a bit quiet tonight but he's impressed me since Wane moved him to prop and he fully deserves the new 4 year contract he signed last season.



Dom Crosby. Awarded the number 8 shirt a few seasons back to the surprise of many but has never kicked on since. Very much an average joe with little to offer when the going gets tough.



Lee Mossop. Would we have re-signed him last season if he wasn't one of "the lads"? Had enormous potential before his move to Paramatta but he's been underwhelming since he came back and is always susceptible to injuries.



Tautai. Signed him because we needed size in the pack (and still do). He is however a penalty machine and ball handing disaster. This will be his last season with us.



Ryan Sutton. I really like this bloke and im optimistic about his future. He does still need to put some size on though. His progress and development has been limited these past 12 months. This is a big year for him, he needs to kick on and has to avoid hitting a plateau and brick wall like Crosby has.





This shows that we definately do need to recruit another big prop. We must avoid signing yet another beefed-up second rower. We need an out-and-out prop. Tautai will be leaving next season as well so we may need to sign TWO.



Im well aware of the players we have in our academy and im sure they have great potential but forwards always take longer to come through than backs so i want to focus this on the here and now.