My big hope for 2027 is commentators start to pronounce his name properly. Campaign to remove the extra "Le" starts here.
Francis Manuleleua thread
- Thread starter Celticman98
- Start date
Matty James
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Almost as bad as when we had Keith Lulia on the books and you heard about 5 different variations every other week
Grandpa Joe
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Croker is a victim of our success if he wants to stay for peanuts so be it but needs to realise is well behind Francis, McKewen and Lucas in the scheme of things.
I was already wondering on the weekend how the hell we fit Lucas, McKewen and Manu into the side and clearly 1 has to go to lock, all 3 on field at same time is lethal.
I struggle to work out who the best of the three is. I've loved watching Francis come through reggies to where he is now, I loved watching Lucas become an orgin player, but I low key think it might be McEwen. But then I don't know. Good times.
slotmachine
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Suddenly having the best back row in the comp is pretty cool. I reckon we've got a claim to best back 5 as well.
McEwen’s feats this year have definitely gone under the radar, with Lucas playing Origin and the rise of Manuleleua. Jermaine was great yesterday too. They’ve probably been Samoa’s best two players so far this World Cup.
Good Times
Jason Moodie
Grandpa Joe
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Halves aren't too shabby either especially once Brown is back 
Top 5 hooker as well.
Top 5 hooker as well.
Treadly
Clint Newton
So that just leaves props. And we can all see what they may become in the next 2-3 years. In this I say thank you POS, the roster is great.
Anyone else get happy feelings in their chest when they think about us actually being competitive to awesome across the park? With a coach doing his job non the less.
Next year CANNOT begin like 2024. I think I would legitimately cry.
Anyone else get happy feelings in their chest when they think about us actually being competitive to awesome across the park? With a coach doing his job non the less.
Next year CANNOT begin like 2024. I think I would legitimately cry.
Newygirl
Adam Woolnough
No question for me, Francis is only 22 with all the talent in the world, JSaf will be 32 come 2028, he’s not getting better.
Much rather keep McEwen and Francis together as long as possible.
JSaf can do what he originally said he’d do and take what’s leftover, or he can go chase money somewhere else. He’s been well paid while he’s been here, the club needs to prioritise the young guys now
in my chest? not there
Defence wins games
Todd Bates
Unfortunately Jacob’s body(particularly his calves) are letting him down on a regular basis, as yesterday’s game against Australia showed. He has great impact for a shorter period, but his early years at the Knights are beginning to take a toll. Ruthlessly we need to prioritise to young guys coming through.
frankLauda
Matthew Johns
I would be resigning Jsaf for 2 or 3 years, club option the last year. He’s is still our best forward right now and has at least one more good year in him. Play him shorter mins. He still starts for me next year.
KPGreatness
Todd Bates
I agree with JSAF for 2-3 years by than Hopwood would be around 21-22 and ready to stamp his place, Crouch should be around 25 I think and would probably be the ideal starter next to Mooney if development works because of age and what not.
Than we should hopefully still have a ready William Bates and Jack Hillier if their development works in the current projection and we keep them.
In two to threes years JSAF should find himself more in a bench role like Frizell
Granted this is all based on if current trajectory continues with the players development.
Than we should hopefully still have a ready William Bates and Jack Hillier if their development works in the current projection and we keep them.
In two to threes years JSAF should find himself more in a bench role like Frizell
Granted this is all based on if current trajectory continues with the players development.
Lynchyknight
Darren Albert
I agree either a 2 year extension for Saf or a 3rd year with a club option
If Best re signs which I think he will on a 4 year deal then I see Hunt 100% leaving end of next season which I’m fine with and he deserves a start elsewhere
Saulo/Hola/Kepaoa think we offer minimum contact for 1 year extension for depth
ESL/Arthur will leave end of next season
That leaves Croker, good chance he might start next year on the bench if Lucas, McEwen and Manu start backrow and Lock so we won’t offer him much of an upgrade to his contract which could see him leave but I hope not
If Best re signs which I think he will on a 4 year deal then I see Hunt 100% leaving end of next season which I’m fine with and he deserves a start elsewhere
Saulo/Hola/Kepaoa think we offer minimum contact for 1 year extension for depth
ESL/Arthur will leave end of next season
That leaves Croker, good chance he might start next year on the bench if Lucas, McEwen and Manu start backrow and Lock so we won’t offer him much of an upgrade to his contract which could see him leave but I hope not
frankLauda
Matthew Johns
Is Croker a starter at another club? Not sure. And not sure what he’s on. I would prefer to keep him. If we could get a deal done with a slight upgrade.
frankLauda
Matthew Johns
Just remember we still need quality depth for at least the top 22.
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
There's a few clubs he'd start at now. Won plenty of admirers this year.