I'm just worried that we aren't looking for any players other than kids...
Also, just to give a bit of context to my stand point on this - I think providing a pathway for NZ talent is a key job of the Phoenix. Hell, I founded the bloody scholarship. So I'm all for youth development. But the squad has to be competitive, it's a poor cop out to say "yeah but these players we signed will be good in three or four years..." Sure, what happens until then?
It's also fair to reiterate what Iffs said on the pod last night, which is that we've had an unprecedented string of injuries this season which has forced us to rely on the kids more than we had planned to.
That would hold a lot of water, but for the fact that when we were backs to the wall we picked up Justin Gulley and Hamish Watson instead of seasoned pros.
Could be wrong, but weren't these after most of the transfer windows were closed? Complicates recruitment significantly.
But yes agree. Ernie has clearly been given the instruction to look at Kiwi youth first before looking elsewhere.