Austin in the Backrow

[BrotherJim05]

Pretty much, but what's not a joke is the point that BrotherJim brings up. Austin is wasted on the bench. He should be first choice for the #6 jersey. He looks a hell of a lot more dangerous with the ball in hand than Anasta and he's physically up to NRL level, unlike Moses. I agree that he shouldn't be playing back row, but if we can't find a spot for him in the run on side after Origin, we should do the right thing by him and let go to another club.

I probably should have made it a bit clearer in my OP, but yes the real issue here is why we are carrying a back on our bench. If Austin was capable of playing in the back row I'd be fine with it but as everyone has stated, he isn't.

I'd rather see him at 6.

 

[Pezz70]

Austin should, at this stage be starting 5/8 with Halatau (if available ) on the bench. H is a great utility player, can play dummy half, 5/8, backrow or centres easily. Anasta should be running water with Skando. In saying that the bench of Tapau, Sue, Suemanfaga and Gavet was lethal, it gave us the potential to bend the defensive line for 80 mins something that the Tiges have never had before. Hurts if a back gets injured though.

 

[Tigerm]

Austin should, at this stage be starting 5/8 with Halatau (if available ) on the bench. H is a great utility player, can play dummy half, 5/8, backrow or centres easily. Anasta should be running water with Skando. In saying that the bench of Tapau, Sue, Suemanfaga and Gavet was lethal, it gave us the potential to bend the defensive line for 80 mins something that the Tiges have never had before. Hurts if a back gets injured though.

Agree with your last point, while all good with 4 forwards on the bench, what does happen if one of the backs goes down in the game. Some will say Sirro can cover, but he has yet to play a game, so really no one is sure of his form atm.

 

[FootynRacing]

Agree with your last point, while all good with 4 forwards on the bench, what does happen if one of the backs goes down in the game. Some will say Sirro can cover, but he has yet to play a game, so really no one is sure of his form atm.

I would rather take the risk and have 4 forwards in the bench than continuing to get dominated up front every game like we have done lately.
It's basically throwing our top 8 chances away and being content with saying "next year"
Have we forgotten how good it felt beating Souths and Manly at the start of the season ? It would be great to think we still have a win like that in us but I'm not feeling it right now

 

[BrotherJim05]

I take back everything I said about Austin on the bench. We would be up shits creek right now if we had four fowards on the bench

 

[Tiger05]

I take back everything I said about Austin on the bench. We would be up shits creek right now if we had four fowards on the bench

Same as me. How good was Austin ? I thought he killed them out there. I'll also add that Anasta was fantastic.

 

[TV Ted Ellery]

Who was awarded MOM? In my opinion, Austin was the stand out.

 

[Vic Mackey]

He is just a natural footballer

 

[Pezz70]

Outstanding? Satisfactory in a team that was unsatisfactory on the night is about the call. I know the tiges were smashed with positional changes due to injury but I thought the Raiders, who are without doubt not up to NRL standard, looked to trouble the tiges even before the injury changes. We were lucky to hold on, didn't give up though which was good . Wonder what Ricky S is saying now?

 

[Tiger05]

He is just a natural footballer

I agree with this. He isn't a stand out but he can play anywhere.

 

[FootynRacing]

Potter indicated during the press conference he was impressed with Austin at fullback. Maybe we will see him in the 1 jersey next week.
He also said Moses may be an option

 

[BrotherJim05]

Outstanding? Satisfactory in a team that was unsatisfactory on the night is about the call. I know the tiges were smashed with positional changes due to injury but I thought the Raiders, who are without doubt not up to NRL standard, looked to trouble the tiges even before the injury changes. We were lucky to hold on, didn't give up though which was good . Wonder what Ricky S is saying now?

How the hell can you say that mate? We had four players come off the field due to injury during that game. Lawrence changed positions four times and we had f**king props playing as back rowers! If we had no injuries that game would have been a whitewash. Tedesco and Simona would have had a field day.

Austin would have done the bare minimum training at fullback, yet he was solid. There was one bomb that he botched but the whole team was under severe pressure.

 

[Tiger05]

How the hell can you say that mate? We had four players come off the field due to injury during that game. Lawrence changed positions four times and we had f**king props playing as back rowers! If we had no injuries that game would have been a whitewash. Tedesco and Simona would have had a field day.

Austin would have done the bare minimum training at fullback, yet he was solid. There was one bomb that he botched but the whole team was under severe pressure.

That was a tough win wasn't it. It was an outstanding effort. It definitely wasn't pretty and I think our season may be in trouble but it was an outstanding win considering the circumstances.