Team v Panthers

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

tough on allwood replacing manu but allwood did everything asked of him and more. played well

 

[Big Marn]

1. Fus
2. RTS
3. Kata
4. Ayshford
5. Allwood
6. Tui (Robson)
7. Johnson
9. Tevaga/Luke rotation

Interesting that you have put RTS back at wing. Reasoning?

Ayshford is a piece of the puzzle that we have found. He is another John Carlaw. He has brought so much solidity to his side of the field and generally makes good decisions. A backline that makes more good decisions than bad decisions over time will generally mean you are reasonably high up the ladder.

I have serious doubts over Kata's learning capabilites on defence and in staying disciplined and not giving silly penalties away. I dont think he is a long term solution at centre to be honest. I think he is there because Cappy has no one else up to scratch at the moment. Just too many bad decisions being made by him that cause increased pressure or disaster for the team. Ayshford might be another Carlaw but Kata is certainly not another Toopi. Although Toopi had an error or 2 in him, Toopi would run rings around Kata.

Be great if there was some one coming through in the lower grades that we could find for that tricky centre spot. Otherwise we recruit. Definitely need depth in that position. Kata looked like he was coming good a few games back (his second game against Blake Ferguson was a marked improvement on his first) but he seems to have gone back to his old habits again. Last year I was critical of Cappy last year that he never gave Kata a break from NRL level throughout the season and that the kid got burnt out and by the end of the year he was rubbish. I fear that Cappy is going to do the same thing again this year. Anyway thats my 2c on Kata.

 

[vvvrulz]

Interesting that you have put RTS back at wing. Reasoning?

Defence, Fus was surprisingly staunch at the back while RTS has been a bit flaky.
He looks right at home at FB and I want to see all that potential untapped.

But honestly it's pretty interchangeable, both would go fine in either position.

 

[Blair]

Maumalo bagged a hatty for NSW v Qld in the residents game. He'd have to be considered with Manu out and Wright not going great in his last outing as Manu's replacement.

I'd be disappointed to hear both Sipley and Lane not making the squad, we need new blood, those two are it.

Hurrell in for a possibly suspended Kata? What a turn out that would be after plenty of chatter pointing to his immediate removal from the club. The decision on Kata may be influenced by it being an international game rather than a NRL one. I know they go easy on Origin, they might do the same here.

 

[Penrose_11]

I think Cappy will show a lot of faith in last weeks team. Mannering and Lolohea back in after injury. These two would pretty much be 1st on team sheet. The experience of Muts and Thompson to come back in via the bench. Otherwise many of last weeks team to get another go.

1. Fusitua
2. Wright
3. Ayshford
4. Kata
5. Allwood
6. Lolohea
7. Johnson
8. Liliman
9. Luke
10. Gavet
11. Mannering
12. Hoffman
13. Palavi

14. Tevaga
15. Mutalino
16. Thompson
17. Sipley/Lane/Vete/Lisione (whoever does best during this weeks training)

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Oh No, JuJu is Simon Mannerings wife.

Cant you see Mannering is a major reason we lose? isnt it clear and obvious?

Im kind of stunned you guys watch league for all these years and yet you think he actually improves our side. The days of having just defenders in your squad are gone. You cant afford to carry just a defensive 2nd rower especially an 80min one anymore.

Mannerings have been breed out of the game except at the Warriors - figures......

You can argue that Simon doesn't particularly have a place in the NRL anymore. That's your right and might have some sort of basis.

But to continually say he is a major reason we lose, why not just post a picture of yourself in a dunce hat? You say he costs us games, is an out and out defender, yet we've lost matches this year to 42, 34 twice, 25 and 21, whilst leaking 28 in a GP win. The top sides do not often concede 20 points. The Broncos have twice. The Cowboys have twice, and never more than 20 in regular time. So you're suggesting we lose by not scoring 43, 35, 26 and 22? And that's on Simon?

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Maumalo bagged a hatty for NSW v Qld in the residents game. He'd have to be considered with Manu out and Wright not going great in his last outing as Manu's replacement.

I'd be disappointed to hear both Sipley and Lane not making the squad, we need new blood, those two are it.

Hurrell in for a possibly suspended Kata? What a turn out that would be after plenty of chatter pointing to his immediate removal from the club. The decision on Kata may be influenced by it being an international game rather than a NRL one. I know they go easy on Origin, they might do the same here.

If Hurrell gets picked after blatantly undermining the coach in public, it erases every part of discipline that was laid down to those 6. In fact unless he publicly kisses McFadden's feet in a Youtube video and publicly apologises, there's no coming back for Konrad. Too many strikes.

And for what? Those who watch NSW Cup haven't seen him tear the grade apart, or even look like he wants to.

And I don't like Wright at all, but Maumalo could score 10 tries a game in lower grades and he'd be a long way off. He was shocking at the end of last year. At least Manu is only one spot out of position at times, Ken was in the 2nd rower's channel at times. Allwood plays before him every time.

Obviously Manu is still out, and I'd bring in Ben to start - we can't win squat without him firing. The coach needs to earn his stripes and sort him out. I know Ben has been a bit toxic but I'd like to think it can be worked through. He's been used shockingly this year, off the bench v the Tigers to start our year off poorly, then basically 80 minutes, then changed again. So let's shake and make up.

Thompson/Vete off the bench, Gubb can start in the back row if he plays like he did v the Drags. Then Sipley and Luke to round out the bench.

 

[vvvrulz]

You can argue that Simon doesn't particularly have a place in the NRL anymore. That's your right and might have some sort of basis.

But to continually say he is a major reason we lose, why not just post a picture of yourself in a dunce hat? You say he costs us games, is an out and out defender, yet we've lost matches this year to 42, 34 twice, 25 and 21, whilst leaking 28 in a GP win. The top sides do not often concede 20 points. The Broncos have twice. The Cowboys have twice, and never more than 20 in regular time. So you're suggesting we lose by not scoring 43, 35, 26 and 22? And that's on Simon?

You're wasting your time man.

 

[Big Marn]

You're wasting your time man.

He probably is.
Michael Luck was as defensively minded as they come and we made a grand final, and were regularly in the 8 when he was here. So.....

 

[Izz]

Not really sure why anybody still engages with IL, tbh...

 

[Blair]

Would it be fair to say that against teams like Penrith and the Raiders we should always be expected to beat them in NZ. With the reverse being true for away games?

During any given season most 'mid-table' teams would rely on these outcomes to battle their way into the eight.

 

[Iafeta]

I would go

1 Fus
2 Wright
3 Ayshford
4 Kata
5 Allwood
6 Lolohea
7 Johnson
8 Lillyman
9 Luke
10 Matulino
11 Thompson
12 Hoffman c
13 Mannering

Tevaga
Palace
Gavet
Gubb

 

[JJ]

Don't see any need for Thompson tbh - it's the IL argument in reverse - yes he's arguably good at running lines on the edge, but defensively he's pretty woeful (not the Lone Ranger, but consistently a problem)

 

[jaseg]

If Kata is suspended I'd move Allwood in to centre, Lolohea to fullback and Fus to the wing. Wright is the lucky man, stays in the team.

Lolohea
Fusitua
Ayshford
Allwood
Wright
Robson or TL if fit (god I wish this was Hingano... anyone else see his performance on Saturday? had to be close to motm in a well beaten - in the forwards - team. he's fkn ready.)
Johnson
Lillyman
Tevaga
Gavet
Hoffman
Mannering
Palavi

Luke
Gubb
Sipley
Lane

I'd wait another week before reintroducing Matulino & Bodene (provided they perform well again in reserve grade), and probably longer for others (or in Konny's case, likely not at all). Let it f***ing sink in.

 

[jaseg]

Don't see any need for Thompson tbh - it's the IL argument in reverse - yes he's arguably good at running lines on the edge, but defensively he's pretty woeful (not the Lone Ranger, but consistently a problem)

Honestly I think that perception is off the back of the last game he played, where he undoubtedly had an absolute howler... but he's been fairly good in defense for us more often than not. To say that it's consistently a problem is a bit unfair.

I'd leave him out at least another week based on being a part of the stupid six though - that, us winning the last game and Si-man likely coming back this week.

 

[Rich102]

(god I wish this was Hingano... anyone else see his performance on Saturday? had to be close to motm in a well beaten - in the forwards - team. he's fkn ready.)

Yeah, he had another great match. And what really impressed me was his captaincy. Steered the team around well and got the referee onside with him. (After that stupid interference ruling his question to the ref. 'You really think he would have got there?' but no argument.) The man is a class act and should be locked in quick smart.

 

[JJ]

Honestly I think that perception is off the back of the last game he played, where he undoubtedly had an absolute howler... but he's been fairly good in defense for us more often than not. To say that it's consistently a problem is a bit unfair.

I'd leave him out at least another week based on being a part of the stupid six though - that, us winning the last game and Si-man likely coming back this week.

Yep, perhaps, and there seem to be systemic issues on his side...

But I also prefer a third big man in the middle for more punch - not sure it's Gubb, (thought it'd be Vete or Lisone) but I think Hoffman and Mannering are no-brainers, and Mannering is good in the middle or on the edge - so someone who adds metres in the middle is what I'd prefer - unfortunately we don't have Taumololo, Burgess, Parker etc but I think it's probably the way to go

 

[JJ]

Robson or TL if fit (god I wish this was Hingano... anyone else see his performance on Saturday? had to be close to motm in a well beaten - in the forwards - team. he's fkn ready.)
Johnson.

I didn't see it, but a half that can add value when the pack is on the back foot or only breaking even is something any team would love
(unfair on the kid, but standouts in that regard have always been Johns, Lewis, Sterling, and Thurstone)

If Robson or TL are the answer, then we're asking the wrong question. Given Fusitua was good at fullback I wonder if he'll try Tui at 6 - Fus should be rewarded imo, and a few weeks back coach was of the view Tui was the answer at #6

 

[jaseg]

Yeah, he had another great match. And what really impressed me was his captaincy. Steered the team around well and got the referee onside with him. (After that stupid interference ruling his question to the ref. 'You really think he would have got there?' but no argument.) The man is a class act and should be locked in quick smart.

Oh yeah I had almost forgotten that. I loved his interactions with the ref - particularly the bit in the first half when he pointed out inconsistencies the ref was calling between the two teams in ruck speed. We immediately got a ruck penalty (at the time I think it may have been our first ruck penalty, and Aus had got maybe 3 prior) next time we had the ball. Coincidence? I think not.

Yep, perhaps, and there seem to be systemic issues on his side...

But I also prefer a third big man in the middle for more punch - not sure it's Gubb, (thought it'd be Vete or Lisone) but I think Hoffman and Mannering are no-brainers, and Mannering is good in the middle or on the edge - so someone who adds metres in the middle is what I'd prefer - unfortunately we don't have Taumololo, Burgess, Parker etc but I think it's probably the way to go

I'm there with you on the three big middle forwards thing. We played Vete there a couple of times earlier in the season when Bodene was out and I thought we looked good as a team - it's a tough one, as Bodene brings so much going forward.. but having Hoff & Mannering also makes it bloody hard.

As for rewarding Fus, I agree he had a good game but a Kata suspension would make the decision for me, with no Manu or Hurrell likely.

 

[Penrose_11]

Sounds like Kata not being charged, so good news on that front. For me, that means Lolo at 6 and Fusitua staying in the 1 jersey. As previous, 3 weeks back Lolo was the next best thing in his 20 minutes at 6. Smart move and consistency says he'll stay there, but we all know the coach ain't to consistent at best of times. Robson unlucky and misses out. Wright the lucky one and remains until Manu's back.