Realistically, Roberts is a stop-gap to cover injuries, and as such he's not the player to provide us first class service. He's still young, but he's light years away from what the likes of Newman, Watkins, Hall (etc) were capable of at his age. He's more consistently reliable than Olpherts, looks like a better prospect than Tindall ever did, but not much more than that. Against the best teams he's going to look weak under sustained pressure.



I'm generally in the pro-Fusitua camp, but the timing of his latest injury set-back was poor to say the least. Hope it was a case of bad luck rather than bad management of medical issues by the player/club. Hopefully when he comes back in he can put a string of games together. I have to say I'm worried about how he goes with the disciplinary as well.

You’re putting Newman in the Watkins/Hall category? Wow…!

Exactly how I feel too Exeter, I don’t mean to criticise Roberts unfairly, but he is what he is, and that’s not long term first grade material. The role he plays can be filled with young players, and eventually one of them takes the chance and shines.



Fus is a very frustrating player, he’s capable of very good performances, but like at his other clubs just doesn’t spend long enough on the field to justify his position in the squad. We should be looking to replace him, its a shame the timing isn’t 1 or 2 years later otherwise one of the kids could well take the shirt from him next year.

He could be, its just a shame we have a coach who has absolutely no idea how to get our most devastating runner into clear space.

If Fus stays fit he could well get another year, which would be ideal in some ways while the younger players mature.



However I don’t think he will stay fit and so expect us to sign an overseas player in a 2 year deal or something.

I think the over hyping of Newman is indicative of how poor we’ve been for a long time. Agree loads of potential, but not achieved anything in the game yet and to be honest needs to do more positive things in games like last night…..

In what way is he overhyped?

England international- not achieved anything in the game?



The lad has had horrendous luck with injuries, he’s a quality player and will show it if he gets a run of fitness. Hes one of the few English players with genuine class.

Newman looks in career-best shape as does Oledski. I think he’s been playing well this year but after his good break first half, didn’t seem to do much else last night.

1cap? Against who and what did he do? But ok, I’m fine with the love in as he’s a talent. Just think fans need some perspective when bigging certain players up though. Don’t think it helps the player either…..

What did he do?

I'm guessing you didn't listen to that one on the radio, he was a standout and scored a try

He played the whole series

"If fusi stays fit" must be the most used phrase on this board and most probably the NZ Warriors board his last 2 year there....He's not going to. He hasnt for the last 5 year. Signing him to start with was an exciting gamble, re-signing him was stupidity

Have to say it looks like another gamble that hasn’t really paid off. I’m just hoping he can get fit this season and get back into the side to contribute because we need him.

I would love for him to come back, stay fit and consistently show what a good player he is...At that point, i would thank him for his efforts, be grateful we got something back for our money, say farewell and dont, not even for one second, consider giving him another deal.



The most likely outcome is he comes back from this injury and continues to miss as many as he plays until the end of the season.

Spot on Matt.

There is absolutely nothing to suggest he is ever going to stay fit.

In fact, the evidence says the opposite.

Terrible decision to re-sign him.

We need to be prioritising a winger for 2025.

Watched bits of Dan Okoro on highlights of the Bulls v Wakey game. Seems a good prospect but lots to work on and nowhere near first grade yet would say. Could well be worth signing but not going to ease our prop rotation problems soon.

With Fusi, he could be man of steel in the second half of the season, and I don't think we should re-sign him.



The clubs in a tricky position in that they have a load of good young players, but they all seem maybe 2-3 seasons away from being regulars in the first team. I think we signed a player like Frawley, who is decent without being amazing, so that Sinfield would be able to overtake him by the time his deal is coming to an end.



We need to be smart as to whether we bring in a top end winger that then stifles the next generation coming through. As Saints and Wigan (and us previously) have shown is that in a salary capped sport, the only way to stay on top is having most of the team as home grown.

Especially as he’s broken his jaw

Straight up journey man duffer on massive dosh and blunted the path way of some good lads who could have benefitted from the salary he's been gifted for doing zilch

Which wingers path has he blunted?

The usual nasty tripe then Rapido….?

Journeyman? He's had 2 clubs.

OK team so - most on here seem to feel we need a Fus replacement winger and maybe another prop.



So who do we think for wing? I don’t watch NRL so interested in any tips there… as for UK players it looks like we’ll miss on Johnstone and Davies (Johnstone would have been ideal for us).



Looking at who’s available, does Ryan Hall make sense on a one year rolling contract?



Jason Qareqare to join his brother Marcus at Leeds?



There are a couple of decent champ wingers like AJ Towse at York but not sure they’d be considered a big enough upgrade on what we have.



Thoughts?

I wouldn't be surprised to see us interested in Qareqare, given we were rumoured to be interested before - but at only 20 it depends on how Rohan feels about our young kids since Simpson, Lumb and J.Smith are all about that same age

QQ has always looked dangerous with the ball when I've seen him and has a good strike rate in his appearances



If we rate any of our young players as potential starters then I think we sign someone more experienced from the NRL on a two year contract as a placeholder like we did with Frawley at half



I hope some of our young potential wingers can get some games at open age in the championship this season, so we can see where they are at development wise