I'm going to give an unbaised opinion here. Because so far all i'm reading is bullcrap.
Fullback: Schifcofske v Hodgson (I rate this a draw, due to the fact that both have outstanding qualities. Hodgson has brilliant kicking and attack, where as Schif has brilliant kicking and defence. DRAW)
Winger: Chalk, Robertson v Richards and Reick (I'll take Richards over Robertson, but whoever said he'll play for NSW is kidding themselves, he has buckley's chance, unless there is a plethora of injuries. I'd take Chalk over Reick because Reick is just speed and nothing else. Chalk is an emerging player and will be a very capable winger)
Centre: Mogg, Gafa v Elford and Whatuira (I'd take Mogg over Elford in a heartbeat, I'd take Whaitura over Gafa even faster. I think the Tig's have the advantage overall here.)
Half: Withers v Prince (Whilst I think Todd Carney will be their half with Withers off the bench, I'd still take Withers because of his defence and attack. Prince was only in the SOO because Brett Seymour was injured. This year wont come close with Brett Seymour, possibly Berrick Barnes and even Michael Witt, if he plays well for Manly to be going for that position. Prince whilst good and i'd take him over a few halfbacks, i'd rather Todd Carney)
5/8th: J. Smith v Marshall - Whoever said no question here is right. Jason Smith is a proven campaigner and has one of the best heads in rugby league. He can read a play from anywhere. Benji Marshall is overrated to the max, the kid is not a playmaker and should be in the centres. He would be better if he bulked up and learnt how to tackle. In two years he'll be great, not now however.
Lock: T.Smith v Galea (c) - This is a no brainer. Ben Galea. I have big raps on Galea, I think he is a great player who has great skill. But I don't see him wearing a NSW jersey anytime soon. I think there are a hell of alot more capable players ahead of him. T. Smith should be banished to England or Jim Beam Cup cause he is dead set hopeless and aside from Bulgarelli is the Raiders worst player, although they don't have to worry about him any more.
2nd Row: Hodgeson, Hindmarsh v O'Neill and Laffranchi - Very tight go here. I'm gonna have to go with the Tigers. I rate Laffranchi, I rate Hindmarsh but out of O'Neill and Hodgson I think O'Neill is marginally better. So Tigers here.
Hooker: Woolford v Farah - Woolford is a proven and smart campaigned but is a hot head and I'd be looking for Withers in this spot as he is a perfect hooker. Built solid, fast runner and a bruising defender. Robbie Farah is a future star in the making. I've seen a lot of this kid and has got the skills to make a great hooker. I'd take him over the aging Woolford, but i'd take Withers over Farah as yet.
Prop: O'Hara, Weymen v Skandalis and Gibbs - Canberra. Although a very close win to Canberra. Three young props here, with Skando the proven campaigner. I havn't thus far been impressed with Bryce Gibbs, he just doesn't have anything yet. I believe this season he'll improve, but i'd much rather O'hara and Weyman. These are massive kids. O'Hara is brilliant and Michael Weyman is the future prop of Australia.
Well there we go, there is my opinion.
Its pretty even. Overall I reckon a tie.
I think the props for raiders, backrow for Tigers, fullback and wingers equal. Tigers for centres. Five-eight for Raiders, Half - even in my opinion.
So its pretty equal.[/b]
Fullback: Schifcofske v Hodgson (I rate this a draw, due to the fact that both have outstanding qualities. Hodgson has brilliant kicking and attack, where as Schif has brilliant kicking and defence. DRAW)
Winger: Chalk, Robertson v Richards and Reick (I'll take Richards over Robertson, but whoever said he'll play for NSW is kidding themselves, he has buckley's chance, unless there is a plethora of injuries. I'd take Chalk over Reick because Reick is just speed and nothing else. Chalk is an emerging player and will be a very capable winger)
Centre: Mogg, Gafa v Elford and Whatuira (I'd take Mogg over Elford in a heartbeat, I'd take Whaitura over Gafa even faster. I think the Tig's have the advantage overall here.)
Half: Withers v Prince (Whilst I think Todd Carney will be their half with Withers off the bench, I'd still take Withers because of his defence and attack. Prince was only in the SOO because Brett Seymour was injured. This year wont come close with Brett Seymour, possibly Berrick Barnes and even Michael Witt, if he plays well for Manly to be going for that position. Prince whilst good and i'd take him over a few halfbacks, i'd rather Todd Carney)
5/8th: J. Smith v Marshall - Whoever said no question here is right. Jason Smith is a proven campaigner and has one of the best heads in rugby league. He can read a play from anywhere. Benji Marshall is overrated to the max, the kid is not a playmaker and should be in the centres. He would be better if he bulked up and learnt how to tackle. In two years he'll be great, not now however.
Lock: T.Smith v Galea (c) - This is a no brainer. Ben Galea. I have big raps on Galea, I think he is a great player who has great skill. But I don't see him wearing a NSW jersey anytime soon. I think there are a hell of alot more capable players ahead of him. T. Smith should be banished to England or Jim Beam Cup cause he is dead set hopeless and aside from Bulgarelli is the Raiders worst player, although they don't have to worry about him any more.
2nd Row: Hodgeson, Hindmarsh v O'Neill and Laffranchi - Very tight go here. I'm gonna have to go with the Tigers. I rate Laffranchi, I rate Hindmarsh but out of O'Neill and Hodgson I think O'Neill is marginally better. So Tigers here.
Hooker: Woolford v Farah - Woolford is a proven and smart campaigned but is a hot head and I'd be looking for Withers in this spot as he is a perfect hooker. Built solid, fast runner and a bruising defender. Robbie Farah is a future star in the making. I've seen a lot of this kid and has got the skills to make a great hooker. I'd take him over the aging Woolford, but i'd take Withers over Farah as yet.
Prop: O'Hara, Weymen v Skandalis and Gibbs - Canberra. Although a very close win to Canberra. Three young props here, with Skando the proven campaigner. I havn't thus far been impressed with Bryce Gibbs, he just doesn't have anything yet. I believe this season he'll improve, but i'd much rather O'hara and Weyman. These are massive kids. O'Hara is brilliant and Michael Weyman is the future prop of Australia.
Well there we go, there is my opinion.
Its pretty even. Overall I reckon a tie.
I think the props for raiders, backrow for Tigers, fullback and wingers equal. Tigers for centres. Five-eight for Raiders, Half - even in my opinion.
So its pretty equal.[/b]
