Penrith name team for WCC against Bradford

[The Rhino]

From the PI site:

PANTHERS NAME SIDE FOR WCC
Feb 06 - The Panthers have named their side for the WCC clash against Bradford.

Trent Waterhouse will play lock, Luke Lewis will move into the centres and Brett Howland will come onto the wing.

Colin Ward, who was the 18th man for the NRL Grand Final, comes onto the bench for what will be his final game.

The team: Rhys Wesser, Brett Howland, Luke Lewis, Paul Whatuira, Luke Rooney, Preston Campbell, Craig Gower (c), Joel Cinton, Luke Priddis, Martin Lang, Joe Galuvao, Tony Puletua, Trent Waterhouse. Interchange: Ben Ross, Colin Ward, Shane Rodney, Luke Swain.

 

[SP]

Thats probably how i would of made the team as, although i think Lewis is a better winger than centre

 

[DrewBeliever]

Named the squad early, we haven't named ours yet, coach Nobby will probably keep ours a secret till the day before the game.I got my tickets yesterday

P.s I bumped into some of the Panthers players on my way home from college earlier.
If you want to do a good luck thread and write any messages of encouragement or what ever , I'd be more than happy to print them out and hand them over to the players.....
It's up to you guys, it's not putting me outta my way, there hotel is 5 minutes from my house.

 

[*Sandy*]

Thanks DB, i think we all might do that.

Yeah i am surprised the squad was named this early. Waterhouse at lock. That's a pretty good choice, he's definately an 80 minute man and will cover the job very well. Go the `House'.

 

[DrewBeliever]

Well, Bradford are in the plan of putting players in funny positions they don't normally play in, It's a nightmare.

Yeah, Wesser walked past me earlier, I had the earg to hide, but I didnt, he smiled at me.

If your going to make the thread up, can you start it now, so I can have all the messages in by Monday- Tuesday and hand them to the lads before the game it's self.
Cheers: Michaela

 

[*Sandy*]

Okey dokey! Thanks Michaela and Wesser's lovely he would have been stoked if you said hello to him, i am sure.

 

[The Rhino]

PK, Are you going to start the good wishes thread or shall I?

 

[*Sandy*]

LOL it's started.

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

Looks like a good team fellas... Hopefully you can beat bradford... All of australia is behind the panthers in this one.

 

[The Rhino]

Thanks Michaela for doing that one.

Chicken Hunter, I hope that is the case but I don't think all Roosters supporters are supporting us unfortunately, something about us being flukes.

 

[DrewBeliever]

No worries guys!

I saw your main man earlier, John Lang with a guy from the Leeds Rhinos, walking behind me, I was so scared I had to phone somebody on my phone!!

Don't worrie about the support guys, I think you have everyone elses supporters who don't support the Bulls backing here (there just jealous of my Bulls sucsess) :lol:
Good Luck no matter what, and no hard feelings, GO THE BULLS!

 

[Steven Gerrard]

Go The Panthers!!

 

[Fibroman]

I mentioned in another thread that I thought Waterhouse might start the game in the 2nd row in front of Puletua or Galuvao. I'm really surprised that he is playing lock. Personally, I don't think he is mobile enough to play lock. I would have started Swain or Rodney, which ever one of them is in the best form, and has been training the hardest. JL knows what he is doing, so I trust his judgement.

 

[*Sandy*]

Didnt House use to play in the centre's before beefing up and making the grade? Wouldn't that help being mobile? I always thought Rodney was perfect for lock but seems the `house' has beaten them all to the number 13. It will be interesting to see if he keep this jersey number now for the rest of the year.

 

[thuganomics]

Panthers will win The WWC, but lose the 1st round match to the knights

 

[mightypanther]

Panthers will win The WWC

Most definitely

but lose the 1st round match to the knights

I think NOT... :mrgreen:

 

[Fibroman]

A lot of backrowers played junior footy in the backs. Even the legend MG himself played 5/8 as a junior. To be a good backrower you do need to have a bit of pace, or exceptional ball skills. Preferably both. Apart from Brad Clyde, who is a big bloke, and quite tall, most successful locks in the modern game have been shorter and solid in build. That is because they need to cover shorter distances at speed in cover defence. Tall blokes like Waterhouse often take a while to wind up a bit of speed, which makes them unsuitable for playing lock. Clyde was an exception, but that bloke was just a freak, and one of the best players I have ever seen. Ricketson is pretty tall too, but I don't really rate him that much. Scott Sattler has the perfect build for a lock.

 

[*Sandy*]

Ah i see now. Yeah i don't rate Ricketson all that much either. Sure he goes alright but there are definately better locks in the game than him.

You never know we just might have another `freak' on our hands.

 

[Fibroman]

Fingers crossed. But I think he really has the attributes suited to 2nd row or even the front row if he packs on a bit more beef. Shane Rodney has a hell of a lot of potential for the lock position. Pity Fittler didn't want to finish his career at Penrith. He would be the best lock in Panthers history if he did.

 

[*Sandy*]

Rodney's always been my choice. Matthew Hayden was just on tele, i swear everytime i see that guy he reminds of Fittler. I think its the mouth, the smile and the way he presents himself.