Austin, Thompson & Martin out of contract on the overseas side so quota would be available.

I can see the appeal in Tapau, but do we really want to throw big money at a 32 year old prop? Would certainly want to keep Austin if he is a success. Will be interesting to see if there is any interest from the club but if it was me I would think twice and possibly go for a less high profile option.

He'll be 33 when the season starts.. he could well play until he was 35/36 but for me he's at the wrong end of his career there. Don't get me wrong, he'd still be good but it's very short term.

Sorry but you guys are delusinal if you think we can sign a top Aussie prop at 25 and keep hime 8 years or so. Even with marquee spot available. Top guys at that age are on £800k a year in Oz

Who said 25? Signed Ava is his late twenties, Merrin was 29 I think. 28 to 30 seems about right especially for a big prop. 33 not so much.

It also depends on the fitness of the 33 year old.

How old is Matt Prior?

35 in may.

Prior is a lankier player rather than a power player - more like the JP mould dare I say. Maybe they can go round a bit longer.



In any case Prior was in relatively poor form for the final third of last season so let's not count chickens on his age yet; every player gets to the "one too many" stage at some point!

I’m not saying Tapau would definitely great, just it’s his condition rather than his age that should be the consideration.

And wage. Think we definitely need a prop, but do we need a "marquee" prop like we did two/three years ago? I say no. Oledski and Holdroyd have developed in that time. If we are going to splash the cash I'd like to see it spent in the spine positions if/when they need to be strengthened.

Agree with the above, condition is the determinant thing. In realty it is very rare to get a JP player who is still so good so late in their career. Most are still done by their early 30s.



No idea how healthy Taupau still is.



Cluesy think we'll have to see how Tommy Holroyd goes this year, he's got to stay fit for one. I think he has a big future but he's still a (massive) puppy. Prior is getting on now, and Tetevano has some work to do - plus he isn't a wrecking ball prop either.



We really could do with another Holroyd or Mik coming off the production line to be honest but I'm not sure who that would be - couple of decent prospects but nobody who was obvious like those two were.