Do not play Isa or Tautai again.

Even with injuries, we have better young lads who will offer more these thee two jokers. Isa is a nothing player, offers nothing but ineffective hit ups. We know what Tautai can do when he wants to but he looks to be just turning up for his wages and does not look like he wants to be here.

It may just be me but we seem to produce a lot of ‘nice lads’ who are forwards and when we do bring through somebody with natural aggression (probably ala Partington at the minute) they lack in other areas.

It’s probably that bit of everything which encourages me most about young Smithies.

Hansen yes excellent.

But Ian Potter and Mick Cassidy were the best of the best as far as tacklers were concerned . Potter best tackler I have ever seen in almost 60 years.

These two blocked the middle when we won everything.

I'm not convinced.

With hair: made zero good runs, and was a lousy defender.
Without hair: makes one good run per game, and is a lousy defender.

It’s so frustrating because around the time he got his contract it was looking like he was gonna be off. Most of the reaction on here was that we should keep him and it was a bad move letting him move on (me included) he then got his contract and has never strung a good run of form together since. It’s like he’s got his money and now he’s not d putting a shift in.

One thing I will say about Tautai is that he looks like he’s trying but he’s a mess at the minute. I think he rested on his laurels for a good while after the new deal but in the past season and a bit I think he’s realised he’s not an automatic pick for the 17 anymore and he’s tried to get going but he’s never been able to. He’d attacking well enough at the minute but his defence is simply dreadful. He looks a mixture of a guy not match sharp (a couple of lengthy bans haven’t helped) and somebody trying too hard to impress if anything. It leads to constant penalties or daft offloads (they do seem to have disappeared a little though).