Trials are done!!! Round 1 v Raiders in Vegas

[Thatwasnthighref]

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

And who will take the final bench spot – the position Webster said last week he and his staff were "struggling" with, even as they felt they had "nailed" their starting lineup.

"Do you have two hookers? Do you put an outside back on the bench? Do you go with another forward, who can play multiple positions? Form? It's just about making sure we don't leave ourselves short and we get the right balance."

I hope the outside back comment was just a smokescreen.

 

[Meth]

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

I hope the outside back comment was just a smokescreen.

Well, based on his previous selections, it can't be assumed that it is. Also, a bit bizarre to be asking these questions aloud

 

[ozenzud]

It will be the smallest pack in NRL history...well not quite, but the smallest in the NRL surely atm. We have like 3 specialist actual props in the club JFH, Bunty and Ale. We are using second rowers/locks as props including Barnett. Ford a prop? Bunty or Ale have to get a gig?

 

[Scott]

It will be the smallest pack in NRL history...well not quite, but the smallest in the NRL surely atm. We have like 3 specialist actual props in the club JFH, Bunty and Ale. We are using second rowers/locks as props including Barnett. Ford a prop? Bunty or Ale have to get a gig?

The positions of props & second rowers no longer exist. The are all now considered either middles or edge forwards.

JFH is a middle.
Bunty is a middle.
Barnett & Ford can do both jobs.
Jacob Laban is an edge forward.

Yes, size matters at times, but isn't everything. The coaches would probably take mobility over size. We were lucky with AFB, he had both.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Well, based on his previous selections, it can't be assumed that it is.

Yea that's what worries me. Carried Pompey on the bench twice last year, used him for a grand total of 5 minutes across both games, and flogged the middles instead. And we lost both those games.

Had hoped we'd never see that bollocks again and yet here we are. FMD

 

[JJ]

The positions of props & second rowers no longer exist. The are all now considered either middles or edge forwards.

JFH is a middle.
Bunty is a middle.
Barnett & Ford can do both jobs.
Jacob Laban is an edge forward.

Yes, size matters at times, but isn't everything. The coaches would probably take mobility over size. We were lucky with AFB, he had both.

Yep, JFH would not be close to one of the biggest props/middles, but he's also one of the 5 or so best - the likes of Haas and AFB are pretty special units

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

The positions of props & second rowers no longer exist. The are all now considered either middles or edge forwards.

JFH is a middle.
Bunty is a middle.
Barnett & Ford can do both jobs.
Jacob Laban is an edge forward.

Yes, size matters at times, but isn't everything. The coaches would probably take mobility over size. We were lucky with AFB, he had both.

This is true, but I also agree with @ozenzud that when a team is just generally small across the board, it does tend to come back to bite you eventually.

We are lacking in that we are both small and slow. Somehow we've ended up with maybe the most athletically unimpressive squad in the NRL.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

I learned today that Jacob Laban isn't in Vegas, which seems really harsh and not at all what I expected after he started the Sharks trial in impressive fashion

 

[JJ]

Somehow we've ended up with maybe the most athletically unimpressive squad in the NRL.

Years of dedication, careful selection and development

 

[Big Marn]

I learned today that Jacob Laban isn't in Vegas, which seems really harsh and not at all what I expected after he started the Sharks trial in impressive fashion

Do you think any of them had visa issues?

 

[Izz]

I learned today that Jacob Laban isn't in Vegas, which seems really harsh and not at all what I expected after he started the Sharks trial in impressive fashion

Ah, that sucks

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

I learned today that Jacob Laban isn't in Vegas, which seems really harsh and not at all what I expected after he started the Sharks trial in impressive fashion

That's really surprising.

Even if he was still a tossup to actually make the 17, I cant imagine he wasnt close enough to at least make the 22 that got on the plane.

Gotta be something off-field if he hasnt travelled. Whether passport/visa related like someone's already wondered, or something else entirely.

 

[ozenzud]

The positions of props & second rowers no longer exist. The are all now considered either middles or edge forwards.

JFH is a middle.
Bunty is a middle.
Barnett & Ford can do both jobs.
Jacob Laban is an edge forward.

Yes, size matters at times, but isn't everything. The coaches would probably take mobility over size. We were lucky with AFB, he had both.

There is still a role for a "prop" whether they are called 'prop' or 'middle forward'. That's literally semantics. I'll call them props. In the same way its still Easts and not that Roosters bullshit!

Props still have the role of kickoff return. Of taking that hard yards run close to the ruck and to win the tackle and get a quick Ptb. They have to defend the big bastards coming off the back fence and be that 'A' defender in the line.

I don't think Ford can do that. He has not got the body to stop momentum consistently. Little blokes, can pull off that occasional hit on the big guys when their body position is right and the ball carrier is in the channel. But close to the line, with momentum up, it doesn't happen every time.

Size, is an advantage. Speed is an advantage. Size and speed is a winner. What have we got?

 

[Leber]

I’d go


1 cnk
2 mtg
3 Pompey
4 leitaua
5 rts
6 metcalf
7 tmm
8 Jfh
9 Egan
10 Barnett
11 Niukore
12 capewell
13 Clark

14 walker
15 Laban
16 ford
17 vaumeiga

Anything to keep Kosi out of the team.

 

[hitro]

 

[hitro]

TMM is a bit unlucky
reckon swap him into interchange instead of Ford as backs cover
I guess coach thinks Metcalf and Chanel are better chemistry
No doubt one of them will be injured sooner rather than later and TMM gets his turn

 

[JJ]

Two ok forward backs, mediocre backlines, not really much to like TBH -the battle in the middle will be interesting, the Raiders also have their best players there

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Just saw the team list. I’m mildly engorged.

CHT over TMM is the only questionable call imo but I’m really happy to see TT and Ali in the run on side and Leka on the bench.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

FO Kosi

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Not upset about the team… definitely like Marata back on his right edge, and with Ali and TT outside him, that could be real interesting. Definitely looking forward to seeing how the bench youngsters go too.

Not convinced Ford is a proper middle but if he’s gonna play at least he’s out of the way there and not clogging up the edges.

And Egan playing 80 (presumably) is a big ask. I know he can do it, and has done, but anyone playing 80 in the middle is gassed by the end and I’d like to see him running more, not less.

Still can’t get my head around Laban missing out altogether though. That’s weird man. Wouldn’t surprise if there’s more to that.

Anyway… genuinely excited to see how this team goes. Could be awesome, could be shit, but shouldn’t be boring at least.