Brett will be pleased to know that his fellow Kiwi prop has left Blaydon to return home - he was the one who chose to thump Brett just one minute into the cup game last season! They've also lost a couple of other seasoned players but will still present hard opposition.
Of course, Shaun Cassidy is likely to be playing for Blaydon. He sent me this e-mail: I see we are playing you in a friendly as part of pre season. I hope you chaps are going to play nice this time and not insult me!
Perish the thought.