Round 7 team vs Tigers (NRL)

[Adsy]

Who would Simmo and Scotty edge out then? Marv and ???

 

[keeney]

I agree with that too.

Dureau being named at all , suggests he'll start.

Interesting to note Luke Walsh getting a first grade spot this week with the Panthers too.

Saw that, it's a 19 man bench though. If he doesn't drop off I'll watch the game to see how he goes.

 

[voltron]

I agree with that too.

Dureau being named at all , suggests he'll start.

Interesting to note Luke Walsh getting a first grade spot this week with the Panthers too.

ahh wow
i heard he was injured (walsh)
and thats why he wasnt playing

 

[Serc]

Just heard on the weekly media conference that Aku is out, and Lulia and Wes are in with a forward to drop off the bench (you would think Karawana given one of Lulia or Wes will be on the bench somewhere)

 

[Pika]

Walsh has been playing well for Windsor.

Kicking is strange.

The games I have watched, he has the ball on a string inside 20, cant do a thing wrong.

Has not kicked a decent one anywhere else on the park. Out on the full, mid field bombs that go backwards....

It will be interesting to see how he goes.

 

[~knights~]

dureau is out(elbow injury)
Uate = out (lulia likely replacement)
Wes = bench (filling in for the backrow if corey is out)

wes has been training with the forwards

Wes ready to pack in for fresh challenge


BY ROBERT DILLON
25/04/2009 4:00:00 AM
WES Naiqama's career appears headed in a new direction, the first step of which could take place in tomorrow's clash with Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium.

Knights coach Brian Smith has confirmed that Naiqama, who is yet to play an NRL game this year after off-season knee surgery, would be part of Newcastle's 17-man squad tomorrow, but whether he is a direct replacement for injured winger Akuila Uate remains to be seen.

Uate will miss his third straight game with a hamstring injury, and Smith has included both utility back Keith Lulia and Naiqama in his squad.

Lulia has done a reasonable job filling in for Uate in Newcastle's wins over the Warriors and St George Illawarra, and if he retains his spot on the left edge, Smith is considering using Naiqama as a shock weapon off the interchange bench.

But rather than coming on as a replacement outside back, Naiqama has been training in the back row and admits the transition to the forwards could eventually be permanent.

"That's what I've been training as for the last two weeks, to maybe come on as lock or back-rower," Naiqama said yesterday.

"It's something we talked about doing in the pre-season. It doesn't faze me at all.

"It excites me to get the opportunity to play in the middle of the field and around the edge of the ruck as well."

Naiqama could be a direct replacement if Cory Paterson, who announced yesterday he was suffering from depression, was ruled out.

The Fiji captain said he had played briefly as a bench forward for St George Illawarra in 2007 and had no qualms about becoming a regular member of Newcastle's pack.

"Heaps of people start on the wing and progressively move their way in," he said.

"I guess that's the way my body is changing and I'm ready for it mentally and physically."



Naiqama said he felt ready for NRL action after two games regaining match fitness playing with Nelson Bay in the Newcastle Rugby League competition.

"The knee feels as good as it can be," he said.

"I've got a bit of confidence back after playing a couple of games for the Bay."w

Smith described the Tigers as "the most dangerous attacking team in the comp" and said Newcastle would have to play close attention to skipper and NSW Origin hopeful Robbie Farah.

"Last week [against the Dragons] we needed to do everything strong," Smith said yesterday. "This week we need to be fast and strong."
Smith said it was a challenge for his players, who have won three straight games, to deal with the "pats on the back" they have received this week.

Newcastle Herald

 

[roopy]

If I had to pick between Wes and Lulia as the most likely to make it as a forward i'd pick Lulia. He is bigger, has better strength, better defence, and is also a bit slower and less effective as a back.

 

[Karmawave]

dureau is out(elbow injury)

How can he have done that? Sitting on the sidelines getting drinkers elbow from putting too many stubbies to his mouth?

Either that or he might have twisted it when eating a Magnum or something?

He hasn't done anything recently. Pika, training mishap?

Is that Smiths way of softening the blow?


As for Wes, he is looking very fit in the training pic the local tabloid used today.

 

[~knights~]

he injured it during the souths game

and I noticed he had his elbow bandaged during the warriors game at home (the last game he played)

 

[Pika]

He has been carrying iut for weeks.

 

[otori]

I think Uate has been spending time with Doogs talking about the game and how to play it. Mainly, how to get named and never play. It's not a copy and paste if he doesn't play on the weekend...

 

[Pika]

What are you talking about?

Over the last few seasons Doogs has barely missed a beat.

 

[antonius]

How can he have done that? Sitting on the sidelines getting drinkers elbow from putting too many stubbies to his mouth?

Either that or he might have twisted it when eating a Magnum or something?

He hasn't done anything recently. Pika, training mishap?

Is that Smiths way of softening the blow?


As for Wes, he is looking very fit in the training pic the local tabloid used today.

LOL, Just can't help yourself eh? :BDH:

 

[Serc]

:lol:

Interesting re: Wes though, keen to see how the plan Smithy has in mind works out on Sunday.

 

[Rolla]

If I had to pick between Wes and Lulia as the most likely to make it as a forward i'd pick Lulia. He is bigger, has better strength, better defence, and is also a bit slower and less effective as a back.

Your right about Lulia being less effective as a back, he probably is bigger too, but i would be surprised (and i could be wrong) if he is stronger than wes, i mean look at the guy he is ripped as and not small. I think wes could really add something in the pack, (assuming he responds well to defensive training in the centre of the park of course). i think he is a strong defender but it's different in there to the centres.

means we will see more of both Aku and Vuna if wes can make the transition, and hopefully we can let ciraldo go, (feel sorry for the guy but not enough to re sign him)

 

[roopy]

Your right about Lulia being less effective as a back, he probably is bigger too, but i would be surprised (and i could be wrong) if he is stronger than wes, i mean look at the guy he is ripped as and not small. I think wes could really add something in the pack, (assuming he responds well to defensive training in the centre of the park of course). i think he is a strong defender but it's different in there to the centres.

means we will see more of both Aku and Vuna if wes can make the transition, and hopefully we can let ciraldo go, (feel sorry for the guy but not enough to re sign him)

Watching Lulia in the lower grades last year the thing that really stood out was his massive fend and upper body strength. You see it occassionally in firstgrade where everyone can defend well, but he bumped off guys at will in NSW cup - the point being, he is only a young bloke but is very strong, and has the height and build to carry another 5 or 10kg to be perfect second rower build.

 

[Rolla]

Watching Lulia in the lower grades last year the thing that really stood out was his massive fend and upper body strength. You see it occassionally in firstgrade where everyone can defend well, but he bumped off guys at will in NSW cup - the point being, he is only a young bloke but is very strong, and has the height and build to carry another 5 or 10kg to be perfect second rower build.

Fair enough, hope he can bring it consistantly to first grade, admittedly i havent seen a lot of him but im yet to be impressed. Perhaps he will wind up in the backrow for some more depth there. Since you have seen him a bit in lower grades, is he as slow as he seems to be? would he leg it with even Jimmy?

 

[Engine]

I have the highest respect for the Newcastle Knighs organisation under Brian Smith. It should be an awesome encounter.

 

[roopy]

Fair enough, hope he can bring it consistantly to first grade, admittedly i havent seen a lot of him but im yet to be impressed. Perhaps he will wind up in the backrow for some more depth there. Since you have seen him a bit in lower grades, is he as slow as he seems to be? would he leg it with even Jimmy?

I've seen him score 40 metre tries, but the one that sticks in my mind was one where he fended off three blokes on the way to the line and seemed to be going fairly slow - so i'd say he doesn't have great speed, especially off the mark, but he fends like a mini Mal Meninga against lower class opposition.

 

[Rolla]

I've seen him score 40 metre tries, but the one that sticks in my mind was one where he fended off three blokes on the way to the line and seemed to be going fairly slow - so i'd say he doesn't have great speed, especially off the mark, but he fends like a mini Mal Meninga against lower class opposition.

hopefully he can shape into a handy wide running back rower then...cheers roopy

Back onto this week, i was looking forward to seeing aku shape up against collis and ryan, thought he and sau would have a feild day. Perhaps this is as good a week as any for lulia to show some of the attacking ability you have seen in lower grades. Collis isnt overly quick and i can see a fend like the one you described giving ryan troubles.