Warriors v Cowboys - gameday

[flippikat]

Webster has shown he can make changes if needed. He benched the captain today. If SJ doesn’t share more of the plays with TMM Webster will make changes

I'd be seriously tempted to play the same squad one more time next weekend against the Storm (with SJ in NSW Cup as part of a 'Return to fitness' plan).

That way we can see how the whole current squad setup fares against yet another top tier club (is the Penrith win something they can do again?), and have a relatively easy game against the Titans for SJ's return to first grade the following week.

 

[nswarrior]

I'd be seriously tempted to play the same squad one more time next weekend against the Storm (with SJ in NSW Cup as part of a 'Return to fitness' plan).

That way we can see how the whole current squad setup fares against yet another top tier club (is the Penrith win something they can do again?), and have a relatively easy game against the Titans for SJ's return to first grade the following week.

I am not sure you risk SJ in the NSW Cup but another weeks rest for the Achilles could be really good for him

 

[flippikat]

I am not sure you risk SJ in the NSW Cup but another weeks rest for the Achilles could be really good for him

Fair point, and I guess it all depends on whether he feels up to a run before going up to first grade intensity.

To be fair on him, I don't see any benefit to SJ in putting him on the field against the Storm just as he's recovered. The following Titans game is a far better "way in"

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Drinkwater with a kick from a 20m restart. But it didn't make the 40m for a 20/40. But they get the ball back.
Replay made it look like his foot was on the 20m as well, not behind.

It wasn’t a 20/40 attempt. When you get a 20m restart you can choose to punt instead of tap, and if you kick it out (as long as it goes 10) you get it back.

 

[Philip_Smith007]

It wasn’t a 20/40 attempt. When you get a 20m restart you can choose to punt instead of tap, and if you kick it out (as long as it goes 10) you get it back.

Thanks didn't know that rule. Doesn't seem to happen very often, not sure why it isn't attempted more?

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Thanks didn't know that rule. Doesn't seem to happen very often, not sure why it isn't attempted more?

Pretty high risk play to potentially kick the ball away when you have a 7 tackle set anyway (to be clear, you can’t kick it out on the full - it’s the same as getting the ball back if you find touch from a kick-off or drop-out)

 

[vvvrulz]

I am not sure you risk SJ in the NSW Cup but another weeks rest for the Achilles could be really good for him

Yeah this, we have the rare luxury of not being desperate, and we should take absolutely zero chances with SJ and Harris. Take their sweet time, get completely fit, get set for the long run into September.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Yeah this, we have the rare luxury of not being desperate, and we should take absolutely zero chances with SJ and Harris. Take their sweet time, get completely fit, get set for the long run into September.

Thought it was smart using Harris off the bench and he looked way fresher - said as much in the post match interview too.
One option with SJ could be to drop Lussick and start SJ from the bench with CHT as halves/hooker coverage (or bring CHT on to spell SJ if needed).

 

[Meth]

It wasn’t a 20/40 attempt. When you get a 20m restart you can choose to punt instead of tap, and if you kick it out (as long as it goes 10) you get it back.

It's amazing that this isn't exploited more often, as I seldom see sides prepared to defend against it

edit- just read on and saw @Philip_Smith007 say the same thing.

 

[Meth]

That's why I hate I hate the 2 points, makes it give the opposition positivity of that they don't thing they can score against us. But a 24 point lead should hold. Shouldn't it.

I thought it was the right call at the moment, just to settle everything down.

 

[Meth]

The best possible selection headache you can have, but gees must be tempting to keep this current squad together as much as possible.

I'd keep it exactly the same, aside from bring SJ in (if 100% fit to train and play) and drop CHT to the bench. Lussick out.