Danish Moo Cow
Bench
- Messages
- 2,729
Anyone have any early ideas for a World 7s squad this early on? Presuming Tony Butterfield and the players association don't boycott the weekend, most teams have a good chance to just parade around some youngsters for a bit of fun and maybe even some early combinations for the halves to the backline.
We have a few dilemmas in the backline coming in to next year. We've bought a heap of them and already have a few coming to the twilight of their careers. Then there's the injuries...
The team I'd take and why... Is there a limit on squads? I'd consider taking basically two teams down. Last year they went horribly on the Saturday and ended up throwing (literally with O'Davis' blown try) their Plate (?) game the next day to ensure they wouldn't lose player to injury. Taking two teams will at least ensure players get the feel of the team and if they do stuff it on the first day again, they can play the rest of the games just to give them some experience out in the middle. These are in no order or position, either.
1. Russell Richardson - Must have. He's experienced and has what it takes to be a first grader, but he's going to need to work hard in the off-season if he wants to start there.
2. Josh Smith - Big year coming up for this guy. I'm not sure he was too impressed with his first grade performances so far, but since he started there in the World Club Challenge you've got to wonder how many more chances he's going to have.
3. Kurt Gidley - Still needs to cement a position in the top grade. Has the inside running on 5/8 with Rudder leaving, but still faces questions of where he's going to play long-term. Every start he's ever had is when someone else has been injured. I wouldn't waste Johns in this tournament, so let him be the first receiver.
4. Steve Witt - Outside chance of getting the starting 5/8 role, but he'll have to work pretty hard in the pre-season. Let him and Kurt duke it out in each game until Round 1 next year, I say.
5. Luke Quigley - Handy kicker and will obviously do the running from dummy-half. He also needs to find out where he'll be contributing to the Knights this year. I wouldn't take Buderus to the SFS, like Johns he should be rested.
6. Daniel Abraham - Good running back-rowers always go well in these tournaments. No reason not to send him. If he's to have a representative year, he's going to have to show he's keen.
7. Robbie O'Davis - He always seems to enjoy the weekend. Let him have another go to show off. It'll get it out of his system for the season proper. He can also help bring the backs on for his retirement.
EDIT: This next one must have been cropped accidently.... and by me this time.
8. Blake Mueller - On the verge of more game time and at 21 (next year) he's got to start performing. Here is a chance, up to him to take it.
9. Clint Newton - Will he be ready? This is probably the biggest year he'll face to date. He has to _perform_ in everything.
10. Jamie Fitzgerald - Can play anywhere if we need him in these games. He also needs to work out what he's going to do for us next season. Give him a fair go in the pre-season, I say.
11. Anthony Quinn - Form was down at times in 2003, will need some more confidence now that MacDougall is gone and he is officially* the winger for good. (* = See next player)
12. Craig Hall - Well, maybe Quinn isn't the replacement afterall. Without injury, this guy is a force. With injury, he still goes alright. I'm looking for a big year from Hall and I'm going to tip him to end the year on the wing, barring injury.
13. Michael Ennis - Hard worker and will probably get a look at for a bench spot sometime through the year. Good chance for him to get in with the boys and just get ready for his chance somewhere down the line.
14. Timana Tahu - Will need game time after an ordinary finish to 2003. Barring risk of injury, I'd give him a go to be his flashy self. Throw the ball to him a lot to let him work on his handling too.
We have a few dilemmas in the backline coming in to next year. We've bought a heap of them and already have a few coming to the twilight of their careers. Then there's the injuries...
The team I'd take and why... Is there a limit on squads? I'd consider taking basically two teams down. Last year they went horribly on the Saturday and ended up throwing (literally with O'Davis' blown try) their Plate (?) game the next day to ensure they wouldn't lose player to injury. Taking two teams will at least ensure players get the feel of the team and if they do stuff it on the first day again, they can play the rest of the games just to give them some experience out in the middle. These are in no order or position, either.
1. Russell Richardson - Must have. He's experienced and has what it takes to be a first grader, but he's going to need to work hard in the off-season if he wants to start there.
2. Josh Smith - Big year coming up for this guy. I'm not sure he was too impressed with his first grade performances so far, but since he started there in the World Club Challenge you've got to wonder how many more chances he's going to have.
3. Kurt Gidley - Still needs to cement a position in the top grade. Has the inside running on 5/8 with Rudder leaving, but still faces questions of where he's going to play long-term. Every start he's ever had is when someone else has been injured. I wouldn't waste Johns in this tournament, so let him be the first receiver.
4. Steve Witt - Outside chance of getting the starting 5/8 role, but he'll have to work pretty hard in the pre-season. Let him and Kurt duke it out in each game until Round 1 next year, I say.
5. Luke Quigley - Handy kicker and will obviously do the running from dummy-half. He also needs to find out where he'll be contributing to the Knights this year. I wouldn't take Buderus to the SFS, like Johns he should be rested.
6. Daniel Abraham - Good running back-rowers always go well in these tournaments. No reason not to send him. If he's to have a representative year, he's going to have to show he's keen.
7. Robbie O'Davis - He always seems to enjoy the weekend. Let him have another go to show off. It'll get it out of his system for the season proper. He can also help bring the backs on for his retirement.
EDIT: This next one must have been cropped accidently.... and by me this time.
8. Blake Mueller - On the verge of more game time and at 21 (next year) he's got to start performing. Here is a chance, up to him to take it.
9. Clint Newton - Will he be ready? This is probably the biggest year he'll face to date. He has to _perform_ in everything.
10. Jamie Fitzgerald - Can play anywhere if we need him in these games. He also needs to work out what he's going to do for us next season. Give him a fair go in the pre-season, I say.
11. Anthony Quinn - Form was down at times in 2003, will need some more confidence now that MacDougall is gone and he is officially* the winger for good. (* = See next player)
12. Craig Hall - Well, maybe Quinn isn't the replacement afterall. Without injury, this guy is a force. With injury, he still goes alright. I'm looking for a big year from Hall and I'm going to tip him to end the year on the wing, barring injury.
13. Michael Ennis - Hard worker and will probably get a look at for a bench spot sometime through the year. Good chance for him to get in with the boys and just get ready for his chance somewhere down the line.
14. Timana Tahu - Will need game time after an ordinary finish to 2003. Barring risk of injury, I'd give him a go to be his flashy self. Throw the ball to him a lot to let him work on his handling too.
)
