NSW Team 2014

[BranVan3000]

Fifita could be out :\

 

[some11]

Bird and Fifita out, Blues just can't take a trick.

It's not like QLD need help with two games at Suncorp this year..

 

[Binga]

Has Hopoate played his way into a nsw jersey tonight?

 

[BranVan3000]

Has Hopoate played his way into a nsw jersey tonight?

I think Jennings and Morris are a lock

 

[Binga]

I'm thinking more on the wing

 

[Hutty1986]

Maroons should be at about 90 cents to win this year's series. Our preparations a shitfight and theirs (as usual) couldnt have been much smoother.

 

[Mr Saab]

Gary Freeman was in fine form tonight on sportsline. Praised Mtchell. Said he was in form. Ahhhh having conflicts of interest and commenting on something that makes you look silly.

 

[caylo]

Hoppa is all class, not the quickest bloke bit his defence and dummy half running should get him in of you ask me. Assuming Pearce, fifita and bird are out, I thought Lewis did well in his first game back and he was one of the best forwards in last year's series so I would go with:

Hayne, Morris, Morris, Jennings, Hopoate, Reynolds, Mullen, Tamou, Farah, Woods, Cordner, Watmough, Gallen; Merrin, Mannah, Lewis, idris/Sutton/peats/Graham

With bird and Lewis in the team I wouldn't play a utility as they give enough flexibility but with bird gone I think we need a backrower who can fill a few other positions too. I have started Cordner as he will play the right edge for most of the match while Gallen and Watmough will play in the middle/left (both interchangeable). If fafita is not fit I think Mannah is the next best prop, a good meter getter but not going to create chances like fifita.

If Pearce is available he'll come in for Reynolds for me, if fifita is fit he'll be in for Mannah and if bird is fit he'll come in and Watmough will be pushed to the bench with the utility falling off the bench.

 

[BranVan3000]

I'm thinking more on the wing

I reckon Tupou has been slightly better, and you could pair the Morris boys together but Hoppa wouldn't be out of place on the other wing

 

[chrisD]

There may be room but I don't believe Tamou and Cordner need to be in the team.

Merrin does and I'd have Idris there also. Woods probably deserves it. Hopefully Hayne at FB is now settled. J Reynolds should be 6, 7 should still be open. Piss Maloney off.

G. Stewart is injured is he not?

 

[big hit!]

Yeah you're the only non-nuffy around mate. You should go select, coach and play all 13 positions for NSW.

There are a few other folks not getting sucked into picking halves just because they're playing behind dominating packs.

They're just not in the media or forming their own opinions from nuffies in the media.

 

[Liddell]

There may be room but I don't believe Tamou and Cordner need to be in the team.

Merrin does and I'd have Idris there also. Woods probably deserves it. Hopefully Hayne at FB is now settled. J Reynolds should be 6, 7 should still be open. Piss Maloney off.

G. Stewart is injured is he not?

Stewart is out for a few months.

I reckon they'll go Woods and Tamou so start with a back row of Cordner/Watmough/Gal

They'll need some impact off the bench now Fifita's gone. Merrin and Lewis will be there, who else is assured a spot? Williams and Idris will probably be fighting for a spot now.

 

[betcats]

Changed my mind about Dugan at FB, Hayne has to be there. At this stage Gallen Watmough and probably Cordner as well are the only locks for the backrow so but Lewis looked ok last night so if he gets through next week i'd pick him on the bench and Wade Graham should be considered imo, never been a fan of Merrins but he probably gets a bench spot too. Losing Fifita hurts, Aussie Jim will need to play better then he did last year, i'd start him and Woods.

 

[Mr Angry]

You all forgot, Daley is coach, Fulton selector.

expect this

Hayne
Topou, Jennings, Cordner, Maloney, Tamou, Gallen, Farah, Woods, Pearce, Lewis, Morris, Morris.

 

[big hit!]

I think Jennings and Morris are a lock

Hoppa probably should be in the mix for the right side. Laurie would be seriously considering it watching how well he links with Hayne at FB down the right side. And it's not like Hoppa will get the gig just because of a combination. He is one of the best backs in the state. Surely no argument about that.

Probably dependent on who is selected in the halves, i.e., goal kicker. I'd say Laurie will lean towards selecting a half who will be a goal kicker which will remove the need to select Richards on the left wing because of his goal kicking.

Either way, goal kicker is a shit dilemma for Laurie. He has to select an inferior player somewhere on the field to other options he may have IMO in order to accommodate one.

 

[big hit!]

You all forgot, Daley is coach, Fulton selector.

expect this

Hayne
Topou, Jennings, Cordner, Maloney, Tamou, Gallen, Farah, Woods, Pearce, Lewis, Morris, Morris.

Halves will defend at L3 & R3.

And Pearce is left, Maloney right.

but yes. the realism hits hard.

however, considering the strength of backrowers we have, I'd say Gallen will be named as a prop with Tamou again like last series. Watmough could get bumped up into a starting middle forward role. Lewis switched over to the left edge to accommodate Scott starting on the right with a bench along the lines of Merrin, Cordner, Woods and one other.

With the massive loss of Bird & Fifita, as well as the ??? hanging over Pearce, the options have really opened up with the composition and positioning within the squad.

 

[Liddell]

A backline of Hayne, Morris x 2, Jennings, Hoppa is the best we have IMO. All big guys, good out of dummy half and apart from Jennings who's had him moments are all good defenders.

 

[insert.pause]

Doubt Gallen will be available.

 

[ek999]

Hoppa probably should be in the mix for the right side. Laurie would be seriously considering it watching how well he links with Hayne at FB down the right side. And it's not like Hoppa will get the gig just because of a combination. He is one of the best backs in the state. Surely no argument about that.

Probably dependent on who is selected in the halves, i.e., goal kicker. I'd say Laurie will lean towards selecting a half who will be a goal kicker which will remove the need to select Richards on the left wing because of his goal kicking.

Either way, goal kicker is a shit dilemma for Laurie. He has to select an inferior player somewhere on the field to other options he may have IMO in order to accommodate one.

IMO the only two options for this is to play either A Reynolds or Hodkinson at halfback with J Reynolds at 5/8. Josh has to be our number 6, his form is so much better than every other option. Hodkinson and A Reynolds are also in pretty good form and I don't think we will lose anything over what Pearce has provided us

 

[BranVan3000]

IMO the only two options for this is to play either A Reynolds or Hodkinson at halfback with J Reynolds at 5/8. Josh has to be our number 6, his form is so much better than every other option. Hodkinson and A Reynolds are also in pretty good form and I don't think we will lose anything over what Pearce has provided us

Josh Reynolds is in good form but he is such a turnstile, and he proved it in the City Country game