As predictable as ever Blucherquin to any response I make.

What's your problem?

Having said Lasike was a good acquisition he is, in my opinion, on paper, no substitute in terms of experience for Jamie Roberts. Hence my comment - 'Time will tell'.

As to top 6 finish, I personally don't think Lasike will play a prominent role - he is a bench player. Whether Quins are a top 6 team - time will tell. I sincerely hope Quins win the Premiership but something tells me it won't happen this season.

What's your problem??

My prediction is, like you, Quins are likely to struggle as they rebuild.

However, last season I was willing to put my comments up to public scrutiny in the prediction league and came second in the final analysis.

On the other hand you seem to have adopted a person vendetta  without any substance and in the end seem to agree with the original point being made.

What's your problem???   

JammyG - Jamie Roberts did very little for us last season, but is this down to the way he was used by the coaching team?

Roberts is a seasoned international with near 100 appearances for Wales - isn't their a cliche about quality always being there, where as poor performance is temporary. Bath seemed very happy to employ him!!

However, my point was that as a replacement Lasike was not, 'on paper', in the same class. Hopefully Gustard sees some potential from a player looking for a career in rugby union having spent much of his recent time in American Football playing as a fullback.

Before Blucherquin lets rip, let me say this is no criticism of anyone, the club, Lasike, Gustard, Ellis or any poster on this site. However, both the coaching staff and the player have to make some major adjustments for him to adapt to the intensity of Premiership and European rugby.

If Lasike does prove to be a major factor in Quins' season then what an excellent and perceptive acquisition from the Utah Warriors - but what does it say about the other backs - Marchant, Saili and Aussie international Tapuai or the talented academy?

 

Yeah, I'm also rather cautious about him. He doesn't have much of a track record and he seems to be being judged on one game against Scotland.

If he played New Zealand rugby until his teens he's probably got better basic skills than most of the team.

Exactly. This is someone who grew up with a rugby ball in his hands in NZ. The fact that he was playing American Football in the US is a side note. He is first and foremost a Rugby player.

As predictable as ever Blucherquin to any response I make.

What's your problem?

Having said Lasike was a good acquisition he is, in my opinion, on paper, no substitute in terms of experience for Jamie Roberts. Hence my comment - 'Time will tell'.

As to top 6 finish, I personally don't think Lasike will play a prominent role - he is a bench player. Whether Quins are a top 6 team - time will tell. I sincerely hope Quins win the Premiership but something tells me it won't happen this season.

What's your problem??

My prediction is, like you, Quins are likely to struggle as they rebuild.

However, last season I was willing to put my comments up to public scrutiny in the prediction league and came second in the final analysis.

On the other hand you seem to have adopted a person vendetta  without any substance and in the end seem to agree with the original point being made.

What's your problem???

That you're so negative when we haven't even started the pre season matches.

I'm not saying everyone has to be positive but whenever a thread talks about something being a good prospect or encouraging - you say that it's also a potential disaster. I've got nothing against you at all but no one is saying these things are amazing, but the guy looks like a decent squad signing compared to the dross we've got at the moment.

I'm just not sure that anyone looking a brand new coaching set up and a fresh start for a club in total chaos and lacking any coherence is waiting for anything other than signs of improvement.

Relegation would be about the only reason to judge the new set up as a failure surely?

I wouldn't have said anything except you seem to be a bit gloomy this year when for the first time a lot of us have signs of hope.

If he played New Zealand rugby until his teens he's probably got better basic skills than most of the team.

Same with Winston Stanley.

JammyG - Jamie Roberts did very little for us last season, but is this down to the way he was used by the coaching team?

Roberts is a seasoned international with near 100 appearances for Wales - isn't their a cliche about quality always being there, where as poor performance is temporary. Bath seemed very happy to employ him!!

However, my point was that as a replacement Lasike was not, 'on paper', in the same class. Hopefully Gustard sees some potential from a player looking for a career in rugby union having spent much of his recent time in American Football playing as a fullback.

Before Blucherquin lets rip, let me say this is no criticism of anyone, the club, Lasike, Gustard, Ellis or any poster on this site. However, both the coaching staff and the player have to make some major adjustments for him to adapt to the intensity of Premiership and European rugby.

If Lasike does prove to be a major factor in Quins' season then what an excellent and perceptive acquisition from the Utah Warriors - but what does it say about the other backs - Marchant, Saili and Aussie international Tapuai or the talented academy?

 

It's not a zero-sum game, if he is a big success why should it say anything bad about other players (including one who's a 13, not a 12)? You seem to be laying groundwork for negativity on that one, it's a lose-lose - if he's bad then it's a bad signing, if he's good then it somehow makes other players bad.

He's not the replacement for Jamie Roberts. Tapuai, who was more effective in the last 2 seasons, is the replacement for Roberts. He's there to make sure we don't lose too much in terms of having a big midfield presence should injuries dictate it. But it is fair to say that despite Roberts' experience, he offered us nothing that suggested he was a 100 cap international with major Lions experience.

He's a punt that might turn out to be an astute one. Or he might be Stanley mk2. Or somewhere in the middle, like Luamanu. I can't imagine it's costing the club much.