Broncos line up if we keep Barba ( which I think is highly likely ) and don't get Boyd ( if reports of him telling Knights players he is staying are true ) will most likely be.
1 - Barba
2 - Copely
3 - Reed
4 - Hodges
5 - Vidot
6 - Milford
7 - Hunt
8 - McGuire
9 - McCullough
10 - Parker
11 - Glenn
12 - Thaiday
13 - Gillett
14 - Oates
15 - Ofahengaue
16 - Garbutt/Gavett/Wallace
17 - K Nikorima
I think Bennett will play Reed at centre, he does like the Reed type player, and generally has atleast one in his team, he'll see Reed much in the same light as Devere. Copely will bide his time on the wing and take Hodges centre spot when he retires and is out injured.
Kodi on the bench will add spark and speed, coming on when there are tired forwards out there he will have a field day and it'll ease him into games as well.
I really want to see Ofahengaue become a permanent fixture on the bench, I think he will improve with every game, for a big man he has great footwork and speed which I think over time he will learn to use very well at the right times when hitting the defensive line. I'd like to think that by mid year one of the big bench forwards can put their hand up and push Parker out of the front row and take his starting spot.
The real smokey for me is Kahu, I think if he can hit the ground running in the trials and perform to his ability without getting injured he'll push Barba for and take the fullback spot if Barba doesn't fire. It would be a shame to see such a talent like Kahu fade away due to injuries, it is starting to look like a Danny Bampton situation all over again though, hope I'm wrong. The other player the Barba will have to try and keep at bay is Kodi Nikorima who if he continues his rise and form will certainly take the number 1 jumper from him.
Personally my Backline would be
1 - Barba
2 - Kahu
3 - Copely
4 - Hodges
5 - Vidot
6 - Milford
7 - Hunt
If Barba doesn't fire in the trials swap Kodi in and put Barba on the bench.
Like this year I am certainly looking forward to the year and think we can make top 4, unlike this year we have a coach that has a clue with regards to player selection, game plan, knows how to use a bench and wont leave a prop sitting on the bench for the 80 minutes in so many close games. When you consider our attack try wise was ranked 5th in the comp this year, with an improved backline, more speed and pressure taken off Hunt it's certainly going to get interesting in 2015.
