McGregor backs forwards
Tim Barrow@@TheBarrow
3 Mar 2017, 3:05 p.m.
Lead the way: Dragons prop Russell Packer is named to start in the NRL season opener against Penrith. Picture: Adam McLean
COACH Paul McGregor has pinned his NRL future on the Dragons steamrolling teams this season.
In a bullish mood before St George Illawarra’s season opener against Penrith at Kogarah, McGregor said he had designed his entire plans around the big men in the middle.
“Certainly, out big, powerful forward pack needs to lay the foundation for blokes to play off,” he said.
“We know we can’t play styles that other teams play, so we’ve come up with our own style, that will suit the players we have and you’ll see it out there tomorrow. With the bench and the middle (running forwards) that we’ve got, we want to play a power game.
“We want to play through teams instead of around them.”
The Dragons have come under criticism again after producing mixed pre-season form, including winning just one of their three games at the Auckland Nines and a 32-14 loss to South Sydney in the Charity Shield.
Recruited from Canberra, Paul Vaughan has been named to start in Saturday’s game, alongside Russell Packer, with Jack de Belin at lock and Tariq Sims, Leeson Ah Mau and Jacob Host on the bench. NSW representative second-rower Tyson Frizell can also muscle up through the middle.
“There’s nothing between our starting front-rowers and our bench front-rowers,” McGregor said. “There aren’t many teams in the competition that can say that, I honestly believe that.
“We’ve got some tough, experienced players through the middle and that’s why I don’t need to carry an extra (forward) on the bench.”
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4506731/mcgregor-backs-forwards/?cs=3713