Round 1 Vs Canberra - Your Thoughts?

[Karmawave]

3. Jimmy

You think they'll name McManus in the centres?

 

[Johns Magic]

1. Kids
2. Aku
3. Jimmy
4. Wes
5. Vuna

6. Mullo
7. Scotty

8. Royal
9. Bedsy
10. Rich

11. Pato
12. Houston
13 Simmo

14 Bailey
15 Wicks
16 Tolar
17 Taufua

It'll be interesting to see whether Smith favours Bailey or Hilder as the bench utility.

Personally I think he'll pick Hilder, purely because he can cover hooker and Smith has spoken about wanting to rest Bedsy as much as possible.

Also I think and hope that Taia gets a bench spot(possibly at the expense of Taufua).

Otherwise, I can't disagree with anything in that team.

 

[macavity]

Taia didn't impress in either trial. Taufua was close to best on park in the PL trial (behind Scotty and Pato).

I prefer Taufua's mongrel to Taia's... ummm...

 

[macavity]

doh!

 

[Johns Magic]

I really rated Taia's athleticism in the back-row last year, however I haven't seen any of the trials this year.

Regardless, going in with three props on the bench just doesn't seem ideal to me.

 

[Frederick]

Tolar did play second row/lock for a few games last year

 

[Johns Magic]

Tolar did play second row/lock for a few games last year

True.

I'm sure we can cover the back-row through Tolar and Taufua, but choosing a specialist back-rower would surely be preferable.

 

[NthKnight]

Smith has pretty much said that Bailey will be the 5/8th come rd 1 so its likely Hilder will get a bench spot and Dureau will be playing for Central.

http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/n.../young-knights-rise-to-challenge/1194091.html

 

[Johns Magic]

Smith has pretty much said that Bailey will be the 5/8th come rd 1 so its likely Hilder will get a bench spot and Dureau will be playing for Central.

http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/rugby-league/young-knights-rise-to-challenge/1194091.html

What Smith says isn't necessarily what he'll do (or so I hope ;-) )

 

[Karmawave]

Well you can be certain Dureau will be playing for Central.

He can ply his Andrew Johns like qualities at St Johns Oval for probably most the year.

 

[Johns Magic]

Well you can be certain Dureau will be playing for Central.

He can ply his Andrew Johns like qualities at St Johns Oval for probably most the year.

Cheers Brian.

While you're at it, can you tell me who the wingers will be?

 

[roopy]

What Smith says isn't necessarily what he'll do (or so I hope ;-) )

True.
The only time i'd be prepared to have a go at saying what i think Smith is thinking about the side for game one will be about an hour after the game finishes.
Bailey could be a huge furphy to throw everyone off his real plans.
Smith is that devious.

 

[NthKnight]

True.
The only time i'd be prepared to have a go at saying what i think Smith is thinking about the side for game one will be about an hour after the game finishes.
Bailey could be a huge furphy to throw everyone off his real plans.
Smith is that devious.

So Smith is "pointing at Calais but landing at Normandy" so to speak. Clever ba$tard, Neil Henry must be setting all his plays around Bailey being at 5/8 for sure :sarcasm:

 

[Frederick]

Neil Henry has plays? :?

 

[NthKnight]

Neil Henry has plays? :?

Your right of course. I retract that last statement

 

[keeney]

Everyone gives Smith too much credit on themind games front. He chops and changes announced teams, but I doubt the Bailey thing is an elaborate plot. Dureau seemed to have a good preseason, why is he not in with a shot?

 

[perverse]

1. Kids
2. Aku
3. Jimmy
4. Wes
5. Vuna

6. Mullo
7. Scotty

8. Royal
9. Bedsy
10. Rich

11. Pato
12. Houston
13 Simmo

14 Bailey
15 Wicks
16 Tolar
17 Taufua

gee that's a great team.. even without cross or sargeant. while i'd like to see that backline at some stage this year (and is certainly my preferred backline for the season).. i really don't think it'll eventuate in round 1. i think we're far more likely to see:

1. Kidley
2. L. MacDougall
3. A. MacDougall
4. Jimmy
5. Vuna
6. Bailey
7. Mullen

and hopefully over time we can slowly mould into the backline listed in mac's quote.

 

[macavity]

I think we are a decent show at getting that backline on the park.

L Doogs looked very very average in the trials, and adam hasn't even had a gallop yet.

Aku is just too good in attack to keep out - if he starts the season I will put money on him for top try scorer in 08.

 

[Bicey_18]

I think Wes will grab a spot in the backline

 

[Johns Magic]

I think Wes will grab a spot in the backline

I think that's a foregone conclusion.