Team v Panthers

[Meth]

A long way away, but a few decisions to be made.

Hopefully all our boys pull through rep weekend ok.

We have to beat the bloody Panthers. They've lost 5 straight.

1- Tuivasa-Sheck
2- Nicoll-Klokstad
3- Fusitua
4- Ayshford
5- Vatuvei
6- Foran
7- Johnson
8- Gavet
9- Luke
10- Lillyman
11- Afoa
12- Hoffman
13- Mannering

Res- Matulino, Lisone...

I'm not sure where to go with the final 2 bench spots. Sao and Roache played 12 minutes between them on the weekend. Minimal impact. Panthers have a big pack. Where to go?

 

[Benek]

Vete back to the bench?

 

[Big Marn]

lets hope Panthers dont have a new coach by the time they play us. We've seen how that plays out already this year.

 

[Rich102]

Pat Sipley and either Tof Sipley or Chris Satae on bench.
Vete is energetic but still full of mistakes.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Pat Sipley and either Tof Sipley or Chris Satae on bench.
Vete is energetic but still full of mistakes.

Not keen on having two debutantes (or near debutantes in Tof's case) there though.

 

[ozbash]

Like Bunty back
Dislike Manu back

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Dislike Manu back

Curious but what does Maumalo do to make you prefer him?

Both make lots of metres, Maumalo maybe a few more but not by a load.

Both have iffy hands

Manu competes for the high ball, Ken doesn't

Manu scores tries, Ken doesn't.

Both are questionable defenders but Manu is at least keen to commit to the tackle, Ken just holds off.

 

[ozbash]

Age mainly.
And I like Kens aggression. .
As you say, there's not really much to split them...yet.

 

[jaseg]

Bunty had a poor game (tackle misses being the direct cause of 2 tries) on the weekend, might not be the best time to make a change there.

Vete has been ridiculous (not in a good way). No thanks. Pat Sipley had a bit of an injury concern (but I think ended up playing on), Tof might be ready to go - the concern is all the penalties he's been giving away. All in all, I'll be surprised if there's any change to the pack.

Manu in is the only change I would imagine is likely. Shouldn't be for CNK (but probably will be...), should be for Ken.

And I don't care if Kata is fit, he can play NSW cup until he can defend.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

As you say, there's not really much to split them...yet.

Lol selective reading there champ. Not much between them in a couple of aspects, but miles between them in attacking ability.

I admire Ken's enthusiasm, he's just not a winger. I'd Get him on the taro and bulk him up to 110kg or so, work on his tackling and move him to the front row where those 150m a game of straight hard charges would be put to best use.

 

[JoeD]

And I like Kens aggression. .

Yeah nah - Ken is about as intimidating as my mum.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Maumalo is a flat out poor ball carrier imo. He stinks at the thing that he's supposedly in the team for.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Maumalo is a flat out poor ball carrier imo. He stinks at the thing that he's supposedly in the team for.

He's quite good at those straight charges on tackle 2-3 and he makes plenty of them. Problem is thats all he does. CNK stays on the right wing for mine, Aysh and Fus stay at centre. Manu in for Ken, when Kata is fit he can work his way back through the reserves. If Manu gets injured or stinks it up once Kata is available Fus can move out to his wing.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

He's quite good at those straight charges on tackle 2-3 and he makes plenty of them. Problem is thats all he does. CNK stays on the right wing for mine, Aysh and Fus stay at centre. Manu in for Ken, when Kata is fit he can work his way back through the reserves. If Manu gets injured or stinks it up once Kata is available Fus can move out to his wing.

Unless he gets really good front-foot ball he is sub-par even for an average sized winger. Just has poor balance, poor leg-drive, speed. One of the most likely blokes to get picked off after a 2 metre carry. Ironically Fusitua, who is supposed to be a different style of winger, is significantly better than Maumalo at Maumalo's job.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

I think its time we went with 4 forwards on the bench, plus Roache must be hanging for some game time so perhaps he can play 80 for reserves

 

[TheDMC]

Ken has held his spot on the wing because, apart from not a lot of options, he gets hard yards that we need to start sets off and help our weak forward pack out.

Manu coming back in negates Ken's value as he is the beast meter eater. Thus CNK stays and Ken drops out. The balance of the team will be better for it and plus we will build the wing depth we need in doing so.

Kearney made a good call bringing in CNK, now has he got the balls to keep him there even though Ken has been doing okay?

 

[ozbash]

Lol selective reading there champ. Not much between them in a couple of aspects, but miles between them in attacking ability.

I admire Ken's enthusiasm, he's just not a winger. I'd Get him on the taro and bulk him up to 110kg or so, work on his tackling and move him to the front row where those 150m a game of straight hard charges would be put to best use.

If he's not a winger.. then what is Manu ?

His error rate would be half of Manu 's .. his work rate, double.

He is doing exactly what SK wants in creating safe yardage.

 

[JJ]

Not a Manu fan oz?

 

[ozbash]

One of his biggest back in the day but the day is long gone.

 

[JJ]

Personally, I hope not - but for me he and Kata need to earn their place in the 13 now, and he has more chance than Kata IMO, unless McFadden love for Kata still holds sway