well, there goes our backrow.

[macavity]

NRL Knights lose Simpson, Patterson

August 22, 2008 - 3:14PM

Newcastle have suffered a major blow on the eve of their must-win NRL match against North Queensland with second rowers Steve Simpson and Cory Patterson both ruled out with injury.
NSW Origin representative Simpson is out with a neck injury while Patterson has failed to overcome a shoulder strain - both injuries having been suffered in last week's costly loss to top eight rivals Canberra.
Chris Houston and Cameron Ciraldo come into the 17-man squad with a final decision on the starting line-up to be made shortly before kick-off on Saturday evening.

http://news.leaguehq.com.au/sport/nrl-knights-lose-simpson-patterson-20080822-403i.html#

 

[macavity]

FFFFFFFFAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRKKKKKKKKKK

 

[keeney]

f**k.

 

[Jobdog]

Simmo and Patto are both out, but Ciraldo and Houston have been regulars in the team since the season started. A bit of a blow, but nothing that can't be overcome IMO.

 

[MC DUI]

*Puts money on the Cowboys*

 

[perverse]

f**king f**k

 

[macavity]

Simmo and Patto are both out, but Ciraldo and Houston have been regulars in the team since the season started. A bit of a blow, but nothing that can't be overcome IMO.

well yes, it is the position we are strongest in at least - although this means our entire first choice back row is out (with Taia).

hope this means Taufua is a certainty to play - would love to see him start to be honest - he has a good tank, and we need some sting in defence.

hope Pato and Simmo are right for next week...

 

[Jobdog]

Won't matter, we'll beat the Storm. They've got nothing

 

[Jobdog]

Bailey ----> Lock

Hilder -----> Bench

Houston, Ciraldo ---> Second Row

Maybe?

 

[macavity]

personally would go Taufua, Houston ---> second row

Ciraldo in for Bailey

leave rest as is

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

As Phil Gould would say. NO NO NO!!!!

 

[Yosh]

Taufua and Vuna to play 2nd row!!!

 

[Jobdog]

Smithy did say yesterday that we could expect to see Bailey playing a bit of lock this week though ...

 

[macavity]

yeah, smithy says a lot of crazy things...

 

[antonius]

personally would go Taufua, Houston ---> second row

Ciraldo in for Bailey

leave rest as is

Todays Newcastle Herald has them lining up like that with Ciraldo 18th man.

 

[Jono078]

Funny how things work.

Last few games Ciraldo played he was good and now our backrowers get injured and he cant crack the team?

Weird...

 

[antonius]

Funny how things work.

Last few games Ciraldo played he was good and now our backrowers get injured and he cant crack the team?

Weird...

That's only how they've them named in the paper, knowing Smithy anything could happen, and anyone could run out there.

 

[macavity]

Ciraldo and Houso both very good.

 

[roopy]

The only thing i can read from Tuafua being out of favour is that he must have signed somewhere else.

 

[BG]

The only thing i can read from Tuafua being out of favour is that he must have signed somewhere else.

More likely to be the other way round: that he signed somwhere else because he's out of favour. Smith has shown he's perfectly willing to select players who are moving on, such as Bailey and Royal. Even last year, with the exception of Reynoldson, most of the senior players who were heading elsewhere at the end of the year continued to be selected in the top squad.

Hopefully a third alternative turns out to be the case. We're keeping Taufua and he just wasn't Smiths choice for last night's game plan. Although it has been touted that Taufua might end up playing his best football in the backrow, Smithy may see him as more of a prop at this stage or at least prefer the experience of Houston and Ciraldo there for the time being.