Who should be added to the bench?

[New Jack]

Now Satts is gone, which player should come onto the bench.... I think it should be Amos Roberts as he can replace an injured back and he would be a great impact player.

 

[choc_soldier]

I would go for Amos Roberts... great utility value. Rodney can also alternate between the second row and centres, and he's an accomplished goalkicker too.

This would be my bench:

Ross
Rodney
Swain
Roberts

It is assumed that Waterhouse has the lock position nailed for Round 1, so will start.

 

[SP]

yeah, id go with a back on the bench too

actually i read that lang said that there will be no lock, there would be just 3 second rowers,

i have no idea how that could work out :?

 

[choc_soldier]

Recently, the lock has been either an organiser, just like a second five-eighth (like Satts) or like a third ball playing second rower (like Rickettson).

Perhaps with the departure of Satts, perhaps Langy is going for the second option.

Or maybe I have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about... :?

 

[*Sandy*]

Langy doesnt seem to go with backs as reserves on the bench. I like the way he thinks that numbers don't mean much out on the field and supports the players roving. It keeps the other-side guessing.

 

[PREDATOR]

Agree,the plan seems to be to grind down the opposition forwards and take advantage of this with our backline
One forward who seems to have no trouble with length of the field tries is Pritchard so i would choose him. ;-)

 

[New Jack]

Well Girds probably wont play round 1 so Amos might come into the centers and that would make way for Pritchard.

 

[Fibroman]

Waterhouse isn't a lock. If anything, you would move him up to the front row if required. They should be grooming either Swain or Rodney for the #13, and start either T, Joe or house on the bench.

 

[Fibroman]

Ps. Langy doesn't always get it right. He started Campbell on the wing last year, and as soon as he moved him into 5/8 the side started winning games. I think he might be wrong with Waterhouse in the #13, but we will have to wait and see.

 

[Tupac Shakur]

Yeah

Ross
Rodney
Swain
Roberts

Thats a top bench and seems reasonable it will most likely happen or they might get Frank Puletua on the bench if there is injuries. He is an okay player big Franky.

 

[The Colonel]

Given the last couple of big matches (WCC and the GF) that you guys have played a back on the bench would be of use - even though he handled it well having Rodney on the ground in the centres early makes it a bit hard on your rotation.

How would Danny Russell go? From what I have seen of him so far he's a good player and would add an option off the bench in attack?

The other bloke who would give you another option like Sattler did last year was David McLean.

 

[Big Mick]

I think Pritchard.

My mate who saw the game in NZ said he played outstanding and had a lot of gametime.

 

[New Jack]

McLean would do just nicely.........another option would be Danny Galaea.

 

[mightypanther]

-----------------------

We have so many players to choose from these days, it's almost impossible to
make a decision. Even though we lost a few good players, I believe that they have
chosen very able replacements. And just going by the amount of different players
that you have all mentioned here, just goes to prove what hard decisions poor
John Lang has to make.

And he has done fantastic by us so far, and seeing as I have no expertise as a
coach, I have decided that unless we start losing every game, I will just trust his
judgement, and try not to second guess what he might do or who he might choose.

Oh, and as lainey and Emma will confirn, we have been keeping a close eye on the
guys during off season training (hubba hubba), and almost all of them have beefed
up and are even more toned than they were back in October, so I feel pretty
confident in saying that the whole team will show even more strength and stamina
than they did last year.

2004 is looking mighty promising to me...

 

[choc_soldier]

How would Danny Russell go? From what I have seen of him so far he's a good player and would add an option off the bench in attack?

The other bloke who would give you another option like Sattler did last year was David McLean.

Danny Russell will play first grade eventually, maybe this year. But only if Campbell is out maybe. Snowy's got the skills to slot right into the team, and is an accomplished goal kicker as well.

David McLean has been a great clubman over the past few years, and a great leader of the Cougars. He has only played a few first grade games (in 2001 from memory), but would definitely not be out of place in the first grade team.

 

[mightypanther]

You're right there Roo.

Both guys are great players, it's just that so far they haven't been quite good
enough to oust anyone already in the 1st grade side.

 

[choc_soldier]

OK, these are players that I believe could come straight into the squad...

* Frank Pritchard (utility forward)
* Peter Lewis (second row)
* Frank Puletua (second row)
* Amos Roberts (utility back)
* Brett Howland (wing)
* Danny Galea (centre / second row)
* Danny Russell (five-eighth)
* David McLean (lock / hooker)
* Richard Fa'aoso (centre)
* Shannon Donato (hooker)

Probably more, feel free to add... I haven't put players such as Aaron Barba or Shaun Ata in there... a season in the first division will prepare them.

 

[mightypanther]

------------------------------

Yep, I can't argue with you there Roo. That's pretty spot on I think.

_________________

 

[Tupac Shakur]

Yeah i heard Pritchard played well, he could be another option for the bench.
They have alot of options to choose from, i suppose a few will get opportunites on the bench when there is injuries.

 

[Kiwipanther]

Again I agree with Fibro...I think Waterhouse shouldnt be at lock hes isnt mobile enough to play there. We need need a quick and agile player who can clean up around the rucks. It's hard to split these players but either Swain or Rodney would go well, Daniel Russell would be a good choice too.

Langy also really needs to create balance with his bench players, I feel having Puletua, Lang, Galuvao and Clinton all off at the same time during any part of the game is gonna be a major weakness this year and opposition teams WILL target us during this period, big time. Either Lang or Galuvao or both need to be on the starting bench, will inject much needed go forward at key moments.