'15 | R1 | Thu | BRI 6-36 SOU | Suncorp

[Smiley]

Copley and Reed are set to switch between centre and wing. Copley will play in centres during attack and switch with Reed when on defence.

Hodges will play fullback in attack.

 

[Snappy]

Well whoever wins the game, this already the best match thread.

Quite frankly the other game threads need to pick up their act. We're less than a week from round 1 ffs

 

[Noname36]

Hunt is so much more of a complete half then Reynolds it isn't funny.

Apart from the whole kicking thing but it's not like that's too important for a half...

 

[blaza88z]

Quite frankly the other game threads need to pick up their act. We're less than a week from round 1 ffs

go tell the Penrith fans they're getting an easy draw or something

 

[Snappy]

nah, Knights and Warriors both got the easy draw this year. Ironically they're playing each other round 1

 

[Kiwi]

He is not, but you seem to be very harsh on a 19 year old in his debut rep season. Let's not forget how bad Hodges' first rep appearances were

Hodges has since established himself at rep level both internationally and at origin. Walker has not. Just because Hodges came back stronger, does not mean Walker will, hell Walker like a few others in the bunnies team haven't even gotten past their second year and you can bet some will get a case of second year syndrome that usually comes with being marked harder and targeted.

 

[Eddie.]

Brisbane with plenty to play for at home with Bennett back against the premiers. Both sides have had to travel overseas so that cancels each other out to an extent. I expect Souths to have some issues this year trying to replace a couple of big players. However I don't particular rate Brisbane' roster. Put simply I think Souths have a class edge and will prove too strong.

Souths 26
Brisbane 20

 

[BranVan3000]

Hodges has since established himself at rep level both internationally and at origin. Walker has not. Just because Hodges came back stronger, does not mean Walker will, hell Walker like a few others in the bunnies team haven't even gotten past their second year and you can bet some will get a case of second year syndrome that usually comes with being marked harder and targeted.

Walker is going into his third year

 

[Kiwi]

Walker is going into his third year

Fair enough on that, he was still out of his depth in the test arena, in a big way, not just in one game, in all the games he played for Australia, and lets be honest the second the regulars are fit, Walker is gone, he didn't claim the jersey in any way shape or form. Plus he certainly wouldn't have been anywhere near the side without the mass injuries and players pulling out.

This game day topic has certainly been fun, and it's good to have the footy back starting soon.

On a more serious note...BM is still a dumb f**k

 

[Kiwi]

Copley and Reed are set to switch between centre and wing. Copley will play in centres during attack and switch with Reed when on defence.

Hodges will play fullback in attack.

I hope this doesn't mean we will see Maranta over Vidot. Read the article and it looks like Oates will miss out, K Nikorima will definitely be on the bench, read somewhere else Gavet is a certainty, despite being told he wont play first grade in 2015 Joe O has taken on the challenge ( see Barba this is how you respond when the coach says you aren't likely to play first grade this year, you lift, give your all and prove him wrong ) and could snag a bench spot which would leave Gillett taking up our last bench spot. I'm hoping Bennett doesn't run with both Gillett and Garbut on the bench, that would give us 4 players with very limited lead up time, trial time going into round 1. I can't see Bennett changing our starting forward pack at all.

Having read the above article and a few others it would seem our team will most likely line up as follows.

1 - Kahu
2 - Reed
3 - Copely
4 - Hodges
5 - Vidot/Miranta ( please be Vidot, please be Vidot )
6 - Milford
7 - Hunt
8 - McGuire
9 - McCullough
10 - Blair
11 - Glenn
12 - Thaiday
13 - Parker

14 - K Nikorima
15 - Gavet
16 - Gillett
17 - Dodds ( I would like to see Ofahengaue here, but I can't see Bennett throwing a rookie prop into a round 1 game against the defending premiers in front of 45000+ screaming fans )

 

[BranVan3000]

Copley and Reed are set to switch between centre and wing. Copley will play in centres during attack and switch with Reed when on defence.

Hodges will play fullback in attack.

This sounds unnecessarily complicated. Broncos will struggle to look fluid

 

[umina panther]

Walker's debut for Australia was the worst I've ever seen, way out of his depth. He's 3 or so years away from that level.

 

[blaza88z]

This sounds unnecessarily complicated. Broncos will struggle to look fluid

i'm pretty certain you meant fluent :roll:

 

[Hutty1986]

Really looking forward to this game, if Milford & Hunt get a combination going in the halves, Broncs could be a real contender this year. Got a feeling Bunnies might just have too many points in them though, Souths by 10.

 

[Vic Mackey]

Apart from the whole kicking thing but it's not like that's too important for a half...

No arguments there

I guess hunt is just better at those unimportant things like running, ball playing, keeping the defence in 2 minds etc

 

[Big Pete]

Souths fans can say what they want about their team, they won a premiership after all.

But I wouldn't discount the Broncos backline entirely.

Hodges is still one of the better 'footy' players in the competition, Hunt was arguably the form half of the competition last year and wreaked plenty of havoc while Milford is one of the most exciting talents coming through.

I'm surprised that Copley hasn't been mentioned. I thought he was one of the better centres of 2014 and looks like he's really found his spot out-wide. He was the match winner for the Broncos on a few occasions and the only player looking to create anything on others. I'd tell you what, I'd take him before a Bryson Goodwin any day.

I think the comparison certainly suits Souths, any backline that has GI & Walker is going to be tough to beat but the Broncos are going to have their say.

 

[Kiwi]

Really looking forward to this game, if Milford & Hunt get a combination going in the halves, Broncs could be a real contender this year. Got a feeling Bunnies might just have too many points in them though, Souths by 10.

Very exciting times ahead. I don't think they'll gel straight away, happy for them to prove me wrong but i think it'll take atleast a month. I think having Hodges at fullback in attack will certainly help take some pressure off the young halves pairing.

as long as they get better with each game I will be happy.

 

[Mr Angry]

Someone let me know if they bomb the shyte out of Hodges, suspect they will, but as a CH9 game, I will not be watching.

 

[Kiwi]

Souths fans can say what they want about their team, they won a premiership after all.

But I wouldn't discount the Broncos backline entirely.

Hodges is still one of the better 'footy' players in the competition, Hunt was arguably the form half of the competition last year and wreaked plenty of havoc while Milford is one of the most exciting talents coming through.

I'm surprised that Copley hasn't been mentioned. I thought he was one of the better centres of 2014 and looks like he's really found his spot out-wide. He was the match winner for the Broncos on a few occasions and the only player looking to create anything on others. I'd tell you what, I'd take him before a Bryson Goodwin any day.

I think the comparison certainly suits Souths, any backline that has GI & Walker is going to be tough to beat but the Broncos are going to have their say.

I never thought i would say this anytime soon but we have the edge in the forwards just. Going to be an epic forward battle.

 

[Kiwi]

Someone let me know if they bomb the shyte out of Hodges, suspect they will, but as a CH9 game, I will not be watching.

Hodges is playing fullback in attack, Kahu will be at the back taking the bombs and kick returns.