Even without latrell im tipping the bunnies will be harder to beat this weekend.
I think its going to be a close, tough game. Hopefully we can get the job done without any injuries.
I think we definitley should incorporate burton and his kicking (long kicks and bombs) for the whole finals series.
Most teams knoe luai barely does any long kicking. But burton is great at it.
Getting him to do a few early might take a bit of heat of nath.
I think kiks should start on the bench. And, id be tempted to start with leniu. Just for the first 12 to 15mins. This period will no doubt be an arm wrestle. Maybe longer. Teams tend to sloe down a bit aftrr the 15min mark.
Spencer is very explosive and gets quicker play the balls than leota.
I also think all year leota has struggled against the tougher teams when its been an arm wrestle to start with.
He seems to do much better and be way more effective when teams fatigue abit. I think if ivan said to leota we need you to be the leader when fish and spencer come off. Hed really go up a level.
I wouldnt look at it as a demotion, more just having an even spread on the bench.
Id even be tempted to reverse kennys role and just give him 15mins at the start of the game. Tell him thats all his getting so tackle everything that moves. Rack up 30 tackles and soak up all that opening pressure. Gas yourself than bring on api when the game starts to open up a bit.
I know its a bit contraversial but i think the opening 15 mins or so of most finals games tends to be an arm wrestle for ascendency. That 15mins can really gas players for no real gain.
Kenny certainly doesnt offer anything in attack compared to api but his defence is rock solid and he is ultra fit and id back him to get through 25 or so tackles in limited mins and really lead our team for linespeed in defence.
Once the game fizzes out at 15mins or so id look at getting kenny and spencer off for leota and api.
Tpj for fish with 15 or so to go in the first half. Same with kiks for martin or capes.
I really think it would be an effective way of getting through the first 15 min grind as i dont see us blowing them off the park.
I think its going to be a tough battle before it starts to open up.
They will go toe to toe with us, maybe until kiks and tpj come on.