Team v Bulldogs

[Meth]

Such an important game. 2 in a row and you never know...we could possibly make something of this season.

Bulldogs coming off a couple of good wins.

Locke out and Rapira in doubt I'd imagine.

1- Ropati
2- Tupou
3- Laumape
4- Hurrell
5- Vatuvei
6- Leuluai
7- Johnson
8- Matulino
9- Friend
10- Packer
11- Mateo
12- Mannering
13- Lowrie

Res- Godinet, Lillyman, Henry, Rapira/Gubb

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Can we just have a f**king game where we don't come out of it with more injuries?

At least we got the win this time. Doubt we'll see Ropati at fullback. Either Godinet or Fish is more likely.

 

[captainwarrior]

Surely Godinet won't be at fullback next week. They should of moved Ropati back there when Locke went off.

We'll really have to lift it next week because no matter how good we were in the first 60 minutes collectively our 80 minute performance just wasn't good enough.

 

[Penrose11]

Yes but JRo at fullback scares me. I'd go with Tuimavave. He played well there last year when given a couple of chances. Wot about Fish? He's a fullback 1st and for most, so maybe he should get the start. Or will he forever be the guy we want to play at the back but don't have the confidence to pick him for anything but wing in reserve grade.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Godinet has spent way more time at fullback (albeit for the Vulcans) than Ropati. I assume that was the basis for Elliott's decision along with the fact that in only his second game back from injury asking Ropati to cover fullback when there's a back on the bench ready to go might have been asking too much.

Personally I'd go Fish. Not with any great confidence, but I wouldn't have a massive amount of confidence in any of our options.

 

[Benek]

I expect jRo to be Vulcanized, and have no confidence in Fish at all in first grade, so I'd say it's Godinet or Tuma at #1.

 

[tangalife]

I would rather Ropati and Tui at FB than Godinet.

 

[DIMEAST]

1. Fish
2. Laumape
3. Henry
4. Hurrell
5. Vatuvei
6. Leuluai
7. Johnson
8. Rapira
9. Friend
10. Matulino
11. Mateo
12. Mannering
13. Lowrie

14. Godinet
15. Packer
16. Lillyman
17. Taylor

 

[Iafeta]

1 Fisiiahi (I do rate Tuimavave though)
2 Tupou
3 Laumape
4 Henry
5 Vatuvei
6 Leuluai
7 Johnson
8 Packer
9 Friend
10 Matulino
11 Mateo
12 Mannering (c)
13 Lowrie - though TBF, I just don't rate this bloke at all. He's doing nothing but turning the ball over and giving up penalties.

Godinet - though if he has a brain explosion like he did at the end of the game again, he can go back to the Vulcans. That was probably the dumbest play of the year, for any player, for any team.
Lillyman
Gubb
Taylor

Ropati can seriously go and get f'ed. That bloke shouldn't play first grade again. Worst defensive centre in the history of the Warriors. Absolute joke.

 

[jaseg]

Ropati
Tupou
Laumape
Hurrell
Vatuvei
Godinet
Johnson
Lillyman
Friend
Packer
Henry
Mannering
Lowrie

Leuluai
Matulino
Matagi/Gubb
Mateo

Ok, I know that Godinet is going to be 14 and Leuluai 6, but I'd love to see it the other way around. Pick out of Matagi & Gubb to replace Rapira (not too fussed, whoever is in better form). If Hurrell didn't look better/more focused/less error prone in the Vulcans this week I wouldn't mind Henry at centre and Taylor into the team for another week.

Fullback is Ropati all the way for me. He's a terrible centre, but I think he does still retain some small value as a backup fullback (probably his best position) or utility (I could see him playing a bit of hooker - what seems to get him is the sideways defending - front on he appears to be more solid). Tui & Fish are good options, but our season is still very much in the balance and I'd prefer the more experienced player right now, unless Tui or Fish happen to be in outstanding Vulcans form atm (I have no idea, haven't seen them play for a while). Godinet does not even register as an option at fullback - he was only there because he was the utility during the game Locke went down. He doesn't get a look in at 1 to start games.

 

[Iafeta]

Fisiiahi is a fullback through and through. He should be picked at #1 IMO.

 

[The European Polynesian]

1. Fish
2. Laumape
3. Henry
4. Hurrell
5. Vatuvei
6. Leuluai
7. Johnson
8. Rapira
9. Friend
10. Matulino
11. Mateo
12. Mannering
13. Lowrie

14. Godinet
15. Packer
16. Lillyman
17. Taylor

This 2-17 (assuming Rapira is good to go - otherwise Packer starts and Gubb gets the call up). My ideal fullback would be Carlos, then Fish, then Ropo (he doesn't deserve to be in the team). I'd happily have Ropo at 1 if it means he's not playing in the centres, though.

 

[MKEB...]

Gubb being a uni lad...you would hope he is first cab off the rank. But I would have no issue with j Palvi playing.

 

[Meth]

Is Fisiiahi injured? He's not playing for the Vulcans.

Ropati's never played badly at FB

 

[Iafeta]

Yes he has. Earlier in his career I recall him playing fullback against the Roosters. The previous week he'd played fullback and dropped a stack of bombs. This game with the half time hooter sounding the Roosters kicked it deep. Ropati ran it back full steam into the defence holding it in one hand, dropped the ball, and the Roosters scored. Almost as bad a play as Godinet's today.

He was much better in his next stint. The fact though is he's miles off where he needs to be physically to play first grade, full stop. Fisiiahi should be first picked at fullback if available, otherwise Tuimavave who did a good job last year. Ropati should be playing for the Vulcans exclusively. He's a joke.

 

[NZ Warrior]

If Ropati plays this week, I'll trip Matt Elliot down the Cake Tin stairs!

 

[Micistm]

Such an important game. 2 in a row and you never know...we could possibly make something of this season.

Bulldogs coming off a couple of good wins.

Locke out and Rapira in doubt I'd imagine.

1- Ropati
2- Tupou
3- Laumape
4- Hurrell
5- Vatuvei
6- Leuluai
7- Johnson
8- Matulino
9- Friend
10- Packer
11- Mateo
12- Mannering
13- Lowrie

Res- Godinet, Lillyman, Henry, Rapira/Gubb

I don't think it'll happen but I'm with you on JRo at the back, he did quite well there when filling in and like Lance seems to suit it. I'd go with your team there as the best option with so many injuries.
I'd like to see Godinet tried at 6 at some stage with TL off bench to cover spots 6&9. Not now, but sometime! At this stage we just have to try and get more than a winning streak of 1

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Barba/Morris make a break and it will be embarrassing if Ropati is at the back.

 

[Fufu Andronez]

1. Fish

2. Tupou
3. Laumape/Nielsen (if he's back)
4. Benry
5. Vatuvei
6. Leuleuai
7. Johnson
8. Packer
9. Friend
10. Matulino
11. Mateo
12. Mannering
13. Lowrie


14. Tuimavave
15. Taylor
16. Lillyman
17. Gubb/Matagi


Godinet unlucky to miss out IMO but Tui needs to be there he has way more upside to pita. Happy to retain Benry but if Neilsen is back I would put Laumape on Billy's wing. Don't know anything about Gubb but by all reports he seems to have been close lately.

 

[Meth]

1. Fish

2. Tupou
3. Laumape/Nielsen (if he's back)
4. Benry
5. Vatuvei
6. Leuleuai
7. Johnson
8. Packer
9. Friend
10. Matulino
11. Mateo
12. Mannering
13. Lowrie


14. Tuimavave
15. Taylor
16. Lillyman
17. Gubb/Matagi


Godinet unlucky to miss out IMO but Tui needs to be there he has way more upside to pita. Happy to retain Benry but if Neilsen is back I would put Laumape on Billy's wing. Don't know anything about Gubb but by all reports he seems to have been close lately.

True. Nielsen is due back.

If Ropati is selected at centre, I am going to go bezerk. He is behind Nielsen, Laumape, Hurrell and Henry at least at centre at the moment.

What's the deal with Fish? Where is he playing at the moment? Are they keeping him close given Locke's fragility?