Our side for 2011 and 2011 team discussion

[Baron Vo Mandor]

As it developes I'll continue to edit this and edit from any suggestions made.

1. Kurt Gidley (c).
2. Akuile Uate.
3. Junior Sau.
4. Siuatonga Likiliki/Keith Lulia.
5. James McManus.
6. Jarrod Mullen.
7. Beau Henry.
8. Evarn Tuimavave.
9. Isaac De Gois.
10.
11. Cory Patterson.
12. Neville Costigan.
13. Zeb Taia

14. Matt Hilder.
15. Richie Fa'aso.
16. Antonio Kafusi.
17. Mark Tafua

18. Ben Rogers.
19. Keith Lulia/Siuatonga Likiliki
20. Joel Edwards.
21. Cameron Ciraldo.
22. Dan Tolar.
23. Pete Mata'utia.
24. Kyle O'Donnell.
25. Marvin Karawana.

Suggestion to a mod, may even be worth stickying thread.

 

[Joker's Wild]

I think Sau, given he is a current NZ centre, will be there. I'm confident we will see him back to his best before seasons end.

Also Tui will be one of our starting props

 

[K-Man]

Taufua would probably be starting lock if we don't sign O'Donnell, and if we do then he would certainly be in the prop rotation.

I reckon Mika is a very good chance to be the bench back-rower with Ciraldo out of favour.

I find it strange that the club seem more worried about our depth in the forwards than about the actual quality. Next year we could have:

8. Cross
10. Tuimavave
16. Taufua
17. Fa'aoso
18. Tolar
19. Kaufusi
20. Edwards
21. Tovo

It's not actually that weak in terms of depth - it's missing ONE genuinely top line, consistent, 100+ metre per game front-rower. Kaufusi would struggle to even make first grade considering he is not as good as Tui, and Dan Tolar recently captained the side.

Signings like this really frustrate me. We need a real halfback (got him), a quality prop, and a quality centre that can pass the football. Those 3 positions can turn this team around. We don't need Antonio Kaufusi or Brad Tighe.

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

Too me, 1 topline prop, 1 decent prop, 1 good backrower and I'd be satisfied.

 

[roopy]

Centurions

1 Kev Naiquama
2 Wes Naiquama
3 Lulia
4 Simon Williams
5 Pete Mata'utia
6 Rogers
7 ????
8 Edwards
9 Adams
10 Tovo
11 Tetevano
12 Ciraldo
13 Mika

14 Miller
15 Cordner
16 Cruise Wilson
17 Likiliki

 

[K-Man]

Too me, 1 topline prop, 1 decent prop, 1 good backrower and I'd be satisfied.

I really think we need some creativity and quality in the backline. Sau is one dimensional; Mad Dog, Wes, and Lulia might all be let go; we've signed Likiliki who looks to be a powerful runner with footwork and no passing game.

To me a specialist, classy centre to partner Aku is a must. Especially with the cash we can spend. Beau Champion is my (realistic) dream for the future.

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

99% sure Lulia is here for 2011 atleast and Wes is not going anywhere. Its like his Stone's love child.

 

[Adsy]

That team there shows exactly what we still need Baron - a gun centre, prop and second rower.

Would love those 3 positions to be filled by Gasnier, Manu and O'Donnell. However I don't think we will sign any of those 3 even though we would have the coin to do so.

 

[Jono078]

Liki liki would be good shot at that other centre position id say.

 

[88.Knights]

As it developes I'll continue to edit this and edit from any suggestions made.

1. Kurt Gidley (c).
2. Akuile Uate.
3. Junior Sau.
4.
5. James McManus.
6. Jarrod Mullen.
7. Beau Henry.
8. Evarn Tuimavave.
9. Isaac De Gois.
10.
11. Cory Patterson.
12. Zeb Taia.
13. Mark Tafua.

14. Matt Hilder.
15. Richie Fa'aso.
16. Antonio Kafusi.
17.

18. Wes Naiqama.
19. Ben Rogers.
20. Keith Lulia.
21. Con Mika.
22. Siono Tovo
23. Joel Edwards.
24. Cameron Ciraldo.
25. Dan Tolar.

Suggestion to a mod, may even be worth stickying thread.

If nothing changes throughout this year
16. edwards
23. kafusi

and con mika to be regular 18th man

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

Only going to put in definate signings for the moment guys.

 

[Adsy]

Is Kaufusi a definant signing? Thought it was just speculation at the moment.

Also I noticed you left out the old brigade of MacDougall, Cross and Simpson. Might be worth keeping one of them for a bit of experience.

 

[Mad Goanna]

Only going to put in definate signings for the moment guys.

pretty sure Joel Edwards and Sione Tovo are off contract at the end of the year, Brian Smith signed both of them to 2 year deals on the back of their performances in 2008 NYC

 

[Jono078]

Only going to put in definate signings for the moment guys.

Likiliki is as definite as Henry.

EDIT: NVM.

 

[Adsy]

Is Vuna the only player so far confirmed to not be with us in 2011?

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

Correct.

 

[Kazaf]

Is Kaufusi a definant signing? Thought it was just speculation at the moment.

Also I noticed you left out the old brigade of MacDougall, Cross and Simpson. Might be worth keeping one of them for a bit of experience.

Out of the three, I would only want Cross to stay.

I really want to see the juniors come through in Simpsons and MacDougalls place.
It's their time to think about the club and not themselves.

 

[Serc]

Not a bad lineup you've all put together so far. I think you'll find Tolar is very likely to be in the main prop rotation (4 players) unless we a) sign a big name prop (or a big name + half decent if we lose Cross).

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

Not a bad lineup you've all put together so far. I think you'll find Tolar is very likely to be in the main prop rotation (4 players) unless we a) sign a big name prop (or a big name + half decent if we lose Cross).

Even with big signings he will be but I am allowed to dream arent I?

 

[Serc]

Yes, but that lineup does look pretty realistic at this stage, and I was making a realistic suggestion ;-)