Team v Dragons.

[vvvrulz]

Foran may return but Tui continues to enjoy his free pass

 

[WithTheDawn]

Well Foran is on the reserves - for mine that means they aren't sure if he is fit to play yet. Which really means they should wait until next week. No point in putting him out there for part of a game, waste of a valuable bench spot.

Tui is still there, as expected with Manu injured. Only other option would be Fus to wing and bring in Aysford I guess? They seem keen on Fus in the centres though. At some point we should be likely to blood Soosemea or Nicoll-Klokstad though, can't put up with mediocrity forever.

Will probably head to this game, low expectations as always. I've seen these two teams play...about 5 times in person without a single win. Depressing times against a team that has been pretty average for most of that period.

 

[Big Marn]

I would have like to have seen CNK given a go too. Guess he will need to play another blinder this week so the coach has to play him. Isnt he severely disadvantage playing at fb? He isnt going to supplant Roger. Does he play any other positions? like wing for example?

 

[vvvrulz]

This sets a dangerous precedent, Kearney is basically saying you can dick around all you like and still be guaranteed a spot if you're one of the boys

The Ayshford snub in favour of a well proven failure is just not on

 

[Rich102]

Or Kearney has been told to pick local talent ahead of imported.
Look at all our recent signings.

 

[vvvrulz]

Or Kearney has been told to pick local talent ahead of imported.
Look at all our recent signings.

Maybe it was Kearney himself?

 

[Leber]

I would have like to have seen CNK given a go too. Guess he will need to play another blinder this week so the coach has to play him. Isnt he severely disadvantage playing at fb? He isnt going to supplant Roger. Does he play any other positions? like wing for example?

CNK has played lots of footy for us and the storm at centre or wing.

He can play 1-5.

 

[Fufu Andronez]

This sets a dangerous precedent, Kearney is basically saying you can dick around all you like and still be guaranteed a spot if you're one of the boys

The Ayshford snub in favour of a well proven failure is just not on

Its not like for like though. Ayshford isn't a winger and neither is Tui (but Tui has more exposure to the position). If there was a winger banging down the door in reserves then I'd be happy to see Tui out the door too but there just isn't. Kearney showed last week, when there is a better winger available in front of Tui he will pick him (Manu). Its just unfortunate that now that RTS is healed, Manu is injured

And for me, Fusitu'a is developing nicely at centre and I would like to see him stay there. My opinion of course, others may see it different.

 

[vvvrulz]

And for me, Fusitu'a is developing nicely at centre and I would like to see him stay there. My opinion of course, others may see it different.

That's the problem I have. I haven't seen a shred of evidence that he's a superior centre over a winger or superior to Ayshford, in fact he's a bit all over the place esp when marking his opposite.

Even so, If moving him to wing is a compromise it's well worth doing just to get rid of Tui

 

[Big Marn]

That's the problem I have. I haven't seen a shred of evidence that he's a superior centre over a winger or superior to Ayshford, in fact he's a bit all over the place esp when marking his opposite.

Even so, If moving him to wing is a compromise it's well worth doing just to get rid of Tui

thats been my feeling as well. I think poor old Ken got hung out to dry a couple of times last week when he started on fusituas side. on the other side when he was with kata they were solid. all the points conceded seem to come down fusituas side no matter who is on the wing... just an observation. maybe a completely incorrect observation, but its the feeling i had when watching the game live.

 

[Diesel]

Yay Foran and RTS.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

Its not like for like though. Ayshford isn't a winger and neither is Tui (but Tui has more exposure to the position).

Yeah Aysh aint no winger and hasnt had the experience there that Tuis had, not that I think Tuis much of a winger as well.

And for me, Fusitu'a is developing nicely at centre and I would like to see him stay there. My opinion of course, others may see it different.

The thing is we have a well developed centre in Ayshford. Also, we are in need of outside backs with the skill sets that Fusitua has, such as aerial ability, finishing tries ability. Its how we make-do with what we got and need. It worked well last year (3.Ayshford 2.Fusitua) so thats a bit of reassurance. He is going good at centre as Fus is a versatile back.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

Yay Foran and RTS.

Thats great news.

 

[Benek]

Can't believe we've got both Tui and Maumalo still. SK clearly likes loyalty over form when making selections. As mentioned above, the Ayshford snub is terrible.

 

[Meth]

Lolohea is named because they don't want to switch Fusitua out of the centres and Vatuvei is down. I get it. I don't agree with it, but I get it.

So, effectively, Foran and RTS is. Manu and Clark out.

 

[One Warrior]

CNK should be in for Lolohea on the wing, Ayshford for Kata must be getting close too.

 

[vvvrulz]

Lolohea is named because they don't want to switch Fusitua out of the centres and Vatuvei is down. I get it. I don't agree with it, but I get it..

So hang on, say Manu is out for the season and Maumalo has won incumbency (!), are we seriously looking at Tui and Ken out back for the rest of the season?

Or at the very least continue to let them play like tits for 2 or 3 (or more?) rounds until we've firmly cemented the bottom of the ladder, then bring on rookies who could be just as bad?

Good halves will crush them, I don't see us winning many as long as we keep fielding those two. It may be a long season but we go down again and we're 1-5 in a stiff comp, making the 8 from there is a huge climb regardless of Foran.

 

[Meth]

So hang on, say Manu is out for the season and Maumalo has won incumbency (!), are we seriously looking at Tui and Ken out back for the rest of the season?

Looks that way.

I'd say Ken's spot appears safer than Tui's. Ayshford is lurking, so it's really a question of how long they persevere with Fus at centre.

 

[Benek]

Having RTS back will be huge for us. If we can see him string together a few complete games without injury our whole game is going to lift a level. I'm expecting a big year from him.

 

[Leber]

I dont get all the ayshford love.

But still... I guess anything to get tui out of the team.