Im a bit apprehensive about front row in this squad - seems a bit light on, particularly props. If Ben Robbo gets injured, we will get shunted all over the park
This is absolutely true. The starting team of Robinson, TPN and Kepu could be the equal of the Crusader front row and better than all the rest. Against that, Robinson's injury will see him having a shortened pre-season too. But it falls away very quickly after that. Ryan and Tilse were very ordinary scrummagers towards the end of the last Shute season. However Tilse has been ordinary in Shute and stepped up hugely in Tah colours before. Ryan needs another huge season in the gym as he is still very young, I have high hopes for him in two or three years time. Time he gave that Uni equipment a real lashing Bruce. Taukeiaho has had some good wraps, particularly at the end of 2010. But we will desperately miss Palmer now Baxter has retired; I still don't know why he went down the road (and downhill career-wise) when the Fuse was so close to retirement. Life goes on.... but if injuries strike the front row again I, for one, will be very nervous. Sio's gone down the road too and he might have been anything for us.
I reckon TPN, Fitzy and Ulugia are close to as good as it gets at Super level, I'm not too worried there.
The squad does look really strong in most areas, but given the role injuries played last year the props are one area that leaves me distinctly nervous.