Johnson to 6

[vvvrulz]

Princess might be switching to #6 next season according to McFadden
It does make reasonable sense to me, but not sure about Leuluai to #7

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11478363

 

[shiznit]

It really doesn't matter in this day and age...

They play sides now so the halves don't play those traditional roles anymore.

I'm pretty sure Townsend now and Maloney before him played a more traditional halfback role than Johnson does.

The only thing the number 7 adds is a stigma... The 7 is seen as the most important player in the team and as such demands the most money on the market... The term "halfback money" is used a lot.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Somewhere deep down I knew Leuluai would be the front-runner to partner SJ next year. Not sure yet whether I like it or not. I don't think it's without merit given Leuluai is a decent organiser with a good footy brain, who doesn't miss tackles. Don't know that his kicking game is much though?

All this talk of 6s and 7s is pretty meaningless though. Any coach can assign any responsibilities to a halve or tell them where to go and when.

 

[JJ]

Leuluai in the halves, LMAO

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

Only available halves in the market atm that I'm aware of are Lui and John

We have Leuluai, Lolohea and SJ tied up for next year

Then theres Lino.

 

[JoeD]

TL - best defensive halfback in the comp!!!

Trying to look for positives . . .

 

[jamaman]

nek he is Captain!

 

[SpaceMonkey]

All it potentially means vs 7 is that he might play a little wider which suits his running game anyway. I'm not worried about the 6 vs 7 part, but not sold on Leuluai in the halves. Good defender though.

 

[Rich102]

I think you guys are missing the whole point.
SJ has a large following: large sales of merchandise with 7 on the back: this move could double the market with demand for merchandise with 6 on the back.
Simple really.

Also I like the part where Cappy says SJ can inject himself when he chooses. Does this mean he can withdraw when he doesn't choose?

But yes, I see the merit. Hope TL can deliver.

 

[Rebel]

Lolo will be in the halves next week.

 

[Scott]

Nothing story. Nothing will change. Piss poor effort from Skipworth to fill a few column inches. Move along.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

I think you guys are missing the whole point.
SJ has a large following: large sales of merchandise with 7 on the back: this move could double the market with demand for merchandise with 6 on the back.
Simple really.

Also I like the part where Cappy says SJ can inject himself when he chooses. Does this mean he can withdraw when he doesn't choose?

But yes, I see the merit. Hope TL can deliver.

Ha, I'd believe this under Scurrah.

And it's not a nothing story, because McFadden made those quotes. The JT to 6 was a big story at the time too, although he kept playing the same way he always did just with a different number.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Two sides no pressure to organize. This is great news. f**k hes gonna be unstoppable.

 

[jaseg]

It really doesn't matter in this day and age...

They play sides now so the halves don't play those traditional roles anymore.

This, for the most part. I get tired of telling people the same thing. That said, I have a suspicion that we might play more 1st/2nd receiver next year, rather than primarily left/right (there are still one or two teams that do this). That's based on RTS replacing Tomkins - the idea being to get our best ball player and most dangerous runner (Johnson) into that 'final pass/play' position, and RTS to play a more traditional fullback role. Let's face it, much of that shape in our '14/'15 attack has been provided by the Tomkins sweep - Johnson usually doesn't have much to do in that move currently, TL (or Lolohea) could do the easier part. Lolohea could have been the 2nd receiver in that move, but didn't look comfortable at all doing it this season from fullback.

Only available halves in the market atm that I'm aware of are Lui and John

We have Leuluai, Lolohea and SJ tied up for next year

Then theres Lino.

+ Mitch Cornish (and Te Maire Martin) - I'd take him over most other options, but I think he'll end up at Manly (or maybe the Titans, if they wise up).

Not Robert Lui. Decent player, but just no (multiple charges and convictions for violence/domestic violence).

 

[Sanchez]

I think the biggest news here was the apparent decision to move away from split field halves and to a more traditional distributional halfback and playmaker five eighth