Your 2016 Rnd 1 team

[Rowdy Panther]

Does anyone know the seriousness of Villiame Kikau's injury. He has been listed as an indefinite out with an ankle injury in the Telegraph.

 

[Copperhead]

Does anyone know the seriousness of Villiame Kikau's injury. He has been listed as an indefinite out with an ankle injury in the Telegraph.

Is that where they also have George Jennings with a broken leg and Wallace with ACL?
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...r/news-story/2f60fe61c344d1be46554829104ef4a2
They've listed old injuries. Didn't hear anything about him being re-injured. Jennings on the other hand....

 

[murraymob]

I though Jennings picked up a shoulder injury they where waiting on scans look bad. The other 2 are good to go .Have not heard any injury news n them

 

[Kilkenny]

Does anyone know the seriousness of Villiame Kikau's injury. He has been listed as an indefinite out with an ankle injury in the Telegraph.

He came on and played during the second half against the Dogs, unless he has a body double I'm pretty sure it was Kikau. Made James Fisher Harris look small so he is a seriously big unit. Bit surprising because I thought I read only recently he had only just got out of rehab and returned to light running?

 

[chrisD]

Sure you're not getting mixed up with Albert?

 

[Kilkenny]

It could well be but I watched Wellington Albert in NSW Cup and it didn't look like the same player in the top grade? I looked at a photo profile of Kikau on the main Panthers website and it sure looked like the player who was out there in the second half. Having said that my 55 year old eyes ain't as good as they used to be so I apologise if I'm mistaken.

 

[Blues Riff]

Kikau definitely played this week. All the injuries reported in the Tele are BS. Gennings is the only concern (shoulder) and a very minor calf strain (I think) for Whare.

Edit- This is the link- old news with a bit of fantasy thrown in - http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...r/news-story/2f60fe61c344d1be46554829104ef4a2

- Casualty ward: George Jennings (broken leg, this weekend), Peter Wallace (ACL, late trails), Viliame Kikau (ankle, indefinite), Sione Katao (knee, round three). FMD

 

[Rowdy Panther]

Cheers fellas. I have been watching the progress of Kikau now for a year. He was always too good for under 20's last season. Sustained a serious ankle injury in the Finals series which concerned me. Thought there were complications with it. Glad to know he's back on the paddock. The guy is going to be a serious weapon for us this year.

 

[Kilkenny]

No need for longer range specs just yet.

 

[Kilkenny]

While we have plenty of competition for places in the fowards, our new coach is surely going to have sleepless nights deciding on who to pick 1 thru 7. There is the obvious which is Moylan, DWZ, Whare, Hiku, Mansour, Soward and Wallace and but seriously you could select half a dozen or more combinations and still have a very competitive 1 to 7. I have no idea really which way he will go.

For fear of being ridiculed again, I don't think Taylor is going to be an automatic selection. Yes he is a tackling machine and can play the full 80 but given our depth in the back row something has to give. My personal feeling is we would greatly benefit from having a bigger, more mobile attacking weapon wide of the ruck. You have to score points to win games and once the season proper is up and running I think the likes of Kikau, JFH, Chris Smith and one of two others are really going to be putting pressure for a spot in the top grade. Throw Tupou Sopoaga into the mix too because he was really impressive on the weekend.

 

[billypilgrimnz]

I think Taylor will move on next season, and we won't miss him much.

 

[Copperhead]

For fear of being ridiculed again, I don't think Taylor is going to be an automatic selection. Yes he is a tackling machine and can play the full 80 but given our depth in the back row something has to give. My personal feeling is we would greatly benefit from having a bigger, more mobile attacking weapon wide of the ruck. You have to score points to win games and once the season proper is up and running I think the likes of Kikau, JFH, Chris Smith and one of two others are really going to be putting pressure for a spot in the top grade. Throw Tupou Sopoaga into the mix too because he was really impressive on the weekend.

I wouldn't say ridicule......let's say good-natured ribbing.

Anyway, you'll be pleased to hear I completely agree with you here. Can't see a place for Taylor in a full strength side, at least if I were picking it.

Kikau came on in the 66th minute. You can't miss him, he's a big unit.

 

[franklin2323]

I wouldn't say ridicule......let's say good-natured ribbing.

Anyway, you'll be pleased to hear I completely agree with you here. Can't see a place for Taylor in a full strength side, at least if I were picking it.

He was pretty good on the weekend. no line breaks got made down that side. Him Hiku/TMM were pretty good in defence in attack.

The question is who do you play in his place? Next year is a different story

 

[Copperhead]

He was pretty good on the weekend. no line breaks got made down that side. Him Hiku/TMM were pretty good in defence in attack.

The question is who do you play in his place? Next year is a different story

Maybe he does hold his spot 'til Grevs replaces him next year, but I think Sopoaga offers more, and when he's fit Kikau would be a much better option. He showed how effective he can be running wide when he played centre.

I know it seems a bit unfair on Taylor, since no player works harder than him, but he's just too one dimensional. Could just be the role he was given, wouldn't be upset if he proves me wrong.

 

[chrisD]

So was Kikau in the middle or on the edge?

 

[martielang]

I personally would be starting Taylor at lock, I think he cleans up so much more than we realize around the ruck, especially when our FR or Hooker aren't the greatest defenders. Merrin in the FR in my side. Either way, exciting times.

 

[franklin2323]

Maybe he does hold his spot 'til Grevs replaces him next year, but I think Sopoaga offers more, and when he's fit Kikau would be a much better option. He showed how effective he can be running wide when he played centre.

I know it seems a bit unfair on Taylor, since no player works harder than him, but he's just too one dimensional. Could just be the role he was given, wouldn't be upset if he proves me wrong.

Sopoaga would be off the bench in my side. Given Merrin is only considered a lock that is.

Hiku new to the side. Mansour poor position play. Hopefully Martin a rookie 5/8th... Taylor shores that up. Merrin roaming at lock can help the ballplaying out that side. Yeo starts the year in NSW Cup actually playing backrow for a change and see what happens mid year.

Our pack excites me this year you wouldn't imagine leaving Taylor out in previous years

 

[umina panther]

If Taylor is left out who's going to tackle? I don't want any of that load going onto Cartwright or Peach that's for sure.

 

[franklin2323]

If Taylor is left out who's going to tackle? I don't want any of that load going onto Cartwright or Peach that's for sure.

That is my Theory with why we need him in the forwards somewhere

 

[betcats]

If Taylor is left out who's going to tackle? I don't want any of that load going onto Cartwright or Peach that's for sure.

Yeah we have a lot of flash a grinder like Taylor fits ok for now. Hopefully one of our guys really demands that spot with their form but until that happens I think Taylor is the best choice. I actually think over time Yeo can become our workhorse in our back row. Grevsmuhl will be the hard running back rower we need next season but he struggled with his minutes last season so I'll be keen to see if he is fitter this season.I think Kikau could be very damaging on the edge, he will have to earn his spot though, competition like this is great hopefully the coach gets it right.