I'm not saying he can't. I'm saying that there's an associated risk with it because of his age. I don't think I'm stating anything revolutionary here by suggesting that RL is a very physical game that takes its toll on those that play it especially the ones who have a physical game e.g. Fielden, Morley. For every 32 year old that people use as examples of players who kept going at the same level there are hundreds that didn't.



If we are spending money then we should ask ourselves whether it's a risk worth taking or whether it could be better spent elsewhere.

All very true but each case should be measured on their own merit and so far Manu isn't slowing down, if anything he's getting better.

He will be 33 next year don't forget.



Anyway, after seeing today I think a good hard tackling forward is a greater priority for us. Slap a bid in for Nathan Hindmarsh to do one more year...

Scott Taylor please.

Yes good idea, don't sign manu because he's 33 next year but let's sign hindmarsh who's 33 THIS year has played his whole career in the toughest league in the world.





Plus he's quota.

You got me there.

Jordan turner to you lot

Jordan turner to you lot

That'd be nice

He's a typical outside back that brown would go for. He's young, fast, big, powerfull and has raw talent.



He'd be good replacement for Meli.

Couldnt tackle a salad though.

An ideal replacement for Meli then!

Back to Manu, I'd say he's exactly the type of player we need.



We don't need more hard tackling forwards. We need forwards who can offload and bust through, giving us that 2nd phase.



If you compare him to another 2nd rower say Sia, then his stats out perform him last year and this on all counts, less penalties, less missed tackles, more meters, more offloads, more busts, etc etc.



I think Saints fans and Saints as a club have become a little obsessed with ages. We can't have a team of 18-28 year olds, if we where saying a 3 year deal then fair enough it would be concerning, but on a 1 or 2 year deal. It's good business to sign one of the best in SL.

I was shocked when I saw he was 32, he's certainly not looking a 32 year old that's at the end of his career. He took us apart a Langtree park.



Our pack is getting on a little with perry, Laffranchi, TP all over 30 but as long as they are doing it on the fieid then age is just a number.

The pack is getting on, if you read it like that.



But then LMS, Clough, Wilkin, Roby, Flanaghan, Sia. They are all under 30.



So the balance age wise is fine, for me it's the balance in ability that's the issue. Too many decent hard working forwards, who will tackle all day. Not enough, offloaders etc.



It's ok having 1 or 2 bulldozers trundling it up, but if they are all doing that well there in lies the problem with the pack. For me the pack makes good yards they all tackle well, but that bit extra is missing. TP can do it, but he's about the only one who gives us an offload or makes a clean break.



In 2011 Willie Manu made 13 clean breaks. Josh Perry zero, LMS=3, Clough=1, TP=5, James Graham = 4.



So our entire front row last year made the same number of clean breaks as Manu. Sia only made 4 too. It's too much of the same from everyone.



Offloads 43 from Manu. Josh Perry = 12, LMS=9, Clough=2, TP=20 , James Graham = 23.



We don't need 6 players like Manu, but we don't need 6 players like LMS either. We need a mix of hard workers who will do the rough tough stuff and those can sprinkle that bit extra.

Quote St pete="St pete"He's a typical outside back that brown would go for. He's young, fast, big, powerfull and has raw talent. He'd be good replacement for Meli.'" He is a right prospect, pretty gutted to be losing him, and he can tackle only missed 6 so far his stats make good reading. www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2012 Mind if you get Manu I will be on suicide watch

Quote St pete="St pete"He's a typical outside back that brown would go for. He's young, fast, big, powerfull and has raw talent. He'd be good replacement for Meli.'" He is a right prospect, pretty gutted to be losing him, and he can tackle only missed 6 so far his stats make good reading. www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2012 Mind if you get Manu I will be on suicide watch

Quote Marfa Manu="Marfa Manu"He is a right prospect, pretty gutted to be losing him, and he can tackle only missed 6 so far his stats make good reading. www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2012 Mind if you get Manu I will be on suicide watch '" I personally can't see Manu coming to be honest but you never know in rugby.

Quote Marfa Manu="Marfa Manu"He is a right prospect, pretty gutted to be losing him, and he can tackle only missed 6 so far his stats make good reading. www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2012 Mind if you get Manu I will be on suicide watch '" I personally can't see Manu coming to be honest but you never know in rugby.

Well I heard he had signed for us for 2 yrs but it was not the most reliable source, at the end of the day it will be his last contract so he will be interested in the money (and I don't blame him) and maybe looking for 3 yrs, personally I would go with 3 although he is ageing I still think he will be causing problems for team in 3 yrs, simply strong as an ox.

We need someone like him.

Surely Brown will be looking to fetch members of his all-conquering Giants team with him.

That is what I am worried about!! mind it would be a spectacle to see Manu & Ellis in the same team next year

What's hulls verdict on turner?



I've not seen much of him but he looks bi, fast and strong.

He is very fast and strong, scored a couple of full lengthers this season . Under Agar he was always a threat offensively but had some issues with his defense and struggled to get a settled spot, however Gentle is all about defense and the transformation of this kid is fantastic, he appears to have bulked a bit more this season and he is a big threat offensively.

I wouldn't touch any Hull players apart from Lynch, wrong culture at that club

I see your bitterness still blinds you....



We have a new owner, and a new coach do try to keep up!