Canham is hardly a good starter yet (but I like him) Losing BOTH Philip and Hosea is bad. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) is a good replacement for either one of them, not both. Net loss here.
Losing the 2nd choice no.7 and 1st choice no.8 in Hardwick. Ekuasi was a surprise find but who will be Wilkins backup? If Wilkins needs resting, is Hough (unsighted in 2023) the next man up? Net loss here.
Orr: Losing a good LHP and gaining a THP prop is not a straight forward switch. Eloff will need to dedicate to the LHP to make this a net gain. There is no point holding the TH side strong if the LH side is getting rolled.
Ioane for Lancaster is not like for like. Brumbies maintained a strong team with 3 smaller outside backs, so yes so could the Rebels, but the Brumbies had strong centres and the Rebels just got weaker losing Hodge. Ili (12) and Riply (13) will really need to punch hard to give the back 3 some room. Losing Hodge and Ioane and replacing them with Lancaster? A net loss here also.
Just saw Rebels got Matt Proctor, this makes a difference and a positive one. Not a net gain across centres and OBs, but no longer a loss. Losing Hodge isn't great, but Proctor offers more of whats needed in that 13 channel.