Paul Anderson was a prop, yes. Whilst I would agree we need a prop, I also think we need a line breaking forward and Manu fits the bill. He makes more tackle busts than any other forward in SL, only Tomkins busts more tackles, you cannot argue with that strike power. Puletua will now be able to play as an impact prop / back rower which gives us great flexibility in the squad.



If we can sign some pacey, athletic three quarters on top of this (Turner will be one) then I'll be happy.

Oh. Ok.

What's she on about?

No idea.



Back on topic, the Hull fans are universal in their praise for Manu, and their regret that he's leaving.



It's a good sign when the disappointment of losing a top player isn't enough to taint your view of him.



Top drawer signing.

I'm not arguing with his stats; rather, I'm querying whether we need him. And I would rather a young local guy be brought into the position than an old southern hemisphere guy. Wigan is outshining us in that respect, something I never thought I'd have to say.





Turner is supposed to have seriously naff defence. I'd rather not in that respect either.

The Wigan forwards who they have brought through are all big lads, but even with them they do not shy away from buying in players who will improve the team. Manu will improve our team.

But if his stats are significantly better than the guy he's replacing, it's surely hard to argue he isn't of benefit to the team.



We haven't got a "local young guy" who can give us what Manu can give us.

Who is he replacing exactly?



And we all know about how stats can be pretty meaningless in the context of a team. Shenton came with great stats but according to many on here he hasn't lived up to his reputation has he? Ditto Hohaia.





And how do you know that? Young players require firstly an opportunity and then an investment. You have no idea what we have.

He is replacing Flannery. And is a huge improvement. Bar TP and Sia, he's a huge improvement on any of our back rowers. The guy is top quality.



There is no one amongst the Saints youngsters even close to Manu's ability. I don't need stats to tell me that. I just need eyes.

I think you are confusing experience and ability. You have not seen enough of our young players playing enough game time to judge whether any who play in that position have the talent that Manu may have. For sure no young player of ours will have Manu's experience - they are young players. But talent is another matter entirely and I don't think you are in a position to judge that. You are in even less of a position if you never get the opportunity to see them play in the first team.

I'm not confusing anything; experience and ability are not mutually exclusive and Manu brings heaps of both.



I watch plenty of U20s and have seen nothing approaching the ability (that word again) of Manu. Neither, evidently, have our coaching team. Have you?



Who would you prefer, out of our first team and youth squads, to line up instead of Manu next year?

literally, get off the crack