This weeks team

[Rich102]

Tempted as he may be to keep a winning team Ivan will be stupid to keep playing JRo as a replacement for Henderson. It is clearly not working and needs to be relagated to the rubbish bin ASAP.
Rovelli has grown a leg with Fien at 5/8; unfortunately that leg is as bad at kicking as his other two. But his cut out passes are really finding their mark.
JRo adds nothing at 5/8. His defence is poor, his passes are inaccurate and without a lot of space his attack is stuttering.
If we can't have a replacement hooker on the bench why not try this:
JRo to centre (His only playing position in my opinion.)
Fien to Hooker.
Fai to 5/8.
Fai has all the skills and could make a great 5/8 in the Inglis mould.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Alternatively:
JRo to centre.
Fai to fullback.
Fien to hooker.
Hohaia to 5/8.

Hohaia has been great and has the best broken-field attack of all. He can kick and his defence is good. His passing is crisp and accurate.
Worth a try Ivan!

 

[Sef0r]

In my opinion (it is just that) I don't see how any of that works, except for Hohaia at 5/8 which is probably the best position for him.

Fai has had some problems catching passes, imagine catching bombs.
Ropati to Center has been tried and does not work, he needs to be relegated to Vulcans. Fien at hooker does not work as we have the little rocket in Henderson who is quick and smart at getting penalties (minus that stupid play the ball against the dogs).

Ivan has kept the same team together for defensive reasons, yet they give up lots of points.

Here is a question. What do you do when Vatuvai comes back?

 

[Skinner]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no to Lancey-Boy at five eight.

DON'T put him anywhere near the halves.

How many bloody times has he been tried in the halves and failed miserably - this has
been going on for years for gawds sake.

NO.......................

 

[Rich102]

I have to agree.
The only reason I suggested some options is because it seems JRo is an automatic selection on the bench and I can't think of what else to do with him. (Nothing that can be printed anyway).

Personally, my preferred option would be to leave the team as-is, drop JRo from the bench and bring one of the U20's hookers onto the bench, Mara or Pawley.

I really like the idea of Hohaia at 5/8 later in the game.

 

[Sef0r]

Oh well that makes sense, yeah it is a bit of a surprise that he is still on the team.
Hohaia is the only option that made sense, but as mentioned he has been there and "not" done that.

Yes I believe Ivan needs to build for next year too and bring in an under 20 who has a shot at making the team next season. I don't want to write off the season and I am not suggesting widespread changes but its best to give an inexperienced player some time now instead of wasting important playing time gelling next season.

 

[hitman82]

I doubt the team will change at all. Rovelli obviously sold Ropati the jar containing Ivan's testicles.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

except for Hohaia at 5/8 which is probably the best position for him.

:crazy:

Not a good start to your posting career

 

[hitman82]

Damn right. Hohaia should be wearing no jersey except his rightful number 7

I heard Kirk has a corked thigh, but he is expected to play.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

6. Witt
7. Rovelli
9. Fien
14. Henderson

or just stick with what we have and put one of the under 20s on the bench.

I know everyone reckons Rovelli has grown another leg since Fien joined him in the halves, but I just don't see it. What Fien offers that Witt doesn't is beyond me. Furthermore, starting with Fien gives us more playmaking options, and Henderson is an ideal bench hooker. I know our improved form has COINCIDED with dropping Witt, but I certainly don't think it's the reason for it.

 

[Sef0r]

:crazy:

Not a good start to your posting career

lol, out of all the suggestions that would make the most sense. Where does Hohaia play next season? Wade will be back, will Hohaia still be on the team? Will he back up Wade? Maybe they play him at hooker next season...

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Damn right. Hohaia should be wearing no jersey except his rightful number 7

lies make baby Jesus cry

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

lol, out of all the suggestions that would make the most sense. Where does Hohaia play next season? Wade will be back, will Hohaia still be on the team? Will he back up Wade? Maybe they play him at hooker next season...

Hohaia----> bench utility

Hohaia starting in the halves= disaster

 

[SpaceMonkey]

How about this:

Ropati >>> Vulacans

Put another forward on the bench (maybe Lauaki if he's earned it). When Henderson needs a spell, move Hohaia to hooker, Kirk to fullback anf Fai to the wing, with Mannering covering the centres.
Keeps the halves intact and J-Ro out of the side

 

[Rich102]

How about this:

Ropati >>> Vulacans

Put another forward on the bench (maybe Lauaki if he's earned it). When Henderson needs a spell, move Hohaia to hooker, Kirk to fullback anf Fai to the wing, with Mannering covering the centres.
Keeps the halves intact and J-Ro out of the side

Try telling that to Ivan!

 

[hitman82]

Yeah Hohaia is definitely best as a bench hooker, or even in the centres if necessary.

 

[JB]

It's pretty clear if Ivan's keen on this Fien/Rovelli combo then he needs to stick with it the entire match. Bringing Ropo into the mix just kills any momentum, as all of sudden Rovelli becomes the go to guy by default, and we know that just aint his go.

Ivan needs to bite the bullet with Ropo imo, and drop him to Vulcans until he regains some semblance of form and fitness in his one and only position - centre.
I'd be keen to bring Pawley up to interchange with Hendo....but hey, this is Ivan we're talking about. You know there wont be any changes.

 

[wittyfan]

our improved form has COINCIDED with dropping Witt, but I certainly don't think it's the reason for it.

The reason is playing the weaker teams of late. This weekend will be a true indication of Cleary's ability as a coach.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Pretty simple imo

6.Witt
7.Fien
9.Henderson
14.Rovelli

 

[JoeD]

I agree with Fast Eddie. Rovelli's best position is interchange hooker and it keeps JBro completely out of the team.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Pretty simple imo

6.Witt
7.Fien
9.Henderson
14.Rovelli

Yeah, that's pretty good

At the end of the day, Witt>Ravs imo. I think through trial and error we've probably established that Witt and Fien are the two best halves we have in the squad.